September 28th, 2014 - Morimoto In Japan

Hello from a very rainy Sunday afternoon in Salt Lake City!  What better way to escape an early Fall tumult than by enjoying the crisp flavor of a Morimoto Imperial Pilsner from Rogue Ales and rocking out to Deep Purple's double live album "Made In Japan"?!  Sounds (and tastes) good to me!!

Imperial Pilsners (sometimes called American Doubles) are similar in appearance to traditional standard Pilsners, but have a maltier backbone, a stronger bitterness, spiciness, and a more aggressive boozy kick.  The same can definitely be said of Rogue Ales' Morimoto Imperial Pilsner.  This 8.8% ABV, 74 IBU Pilsner is brewed with Pilsner and Aciduated Malts, Rogue Farms Independent™ Hops, Free Range Coastal Water, and Czech Pils Yeast.  From the very cool 22 ounce pottery bottle, the Morimoto Imperial Pilsner pours a bright golden color with a frothy white head in a pint glass. Aromas of dry floral hops dominate the nose with more subtle notes of sweet malt, biscuit, and sourdough bread.  There's also some interesting fruit ester aromas (grape?).   Light to medium bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is fairly dry, yet crisp and refreshing.  The malts give it a slight creaminess as well.  The taste is big and bold and quite bitter... especially for a Pilsner.  There are notes of crackery biscuit, Pilsner malt, lemon, hints of mango, grassy hops, and black pepper with just a hint of booziness.  The finish has a nice, spicy and bitter bite.  And speaking of big and bold...

Quite possibly one of the greatest live albums ever produced (if not the best), "Made In Japan" was recorded during Deep Purple's first tour of Japan in August 1972 in promotion of the "Machine Head" album.  "Made In Japan" was released in the U.K. in December of 1972 and released in the U.S. in April of 1973.  The classic "MK II" lineup of the tour/album included Ritchie Blackmore on lead guitar, Ian Gillan on vocals, harmonica (uncredited), and percussion (uncredited), Roger Glover on bass, Jon Lord on Hammond organ and piano, and Ian Paice on drums.  Initially, the band had not been interested in producing a live album.  Fortunately for us (and them), the band's management was able to sway them into recording multiple shows in Japan and releasing the subsequent album worldwide.  It became both a huge commercial and critical success.  Of the albums release, the late Jon Lord once stated, "That double album ... wasn't meant to be released outside of Japan. They wound up putting it out anyway and it went platinum in about two weeks."  And for good reason... it rocks and rocks hard!!  Every track is absolute genius!  Highlights include "Highway Star", a 12+ minute version of "Child In Time", a near 20 minute version of "Space Truckin'", and the bonus material on the CD.  Here's the full amazing track list:

1. "Highway Star"
2. "Child In Time"
3. "Smoke On The Water"
4. "The Mule"
5. "Strange Kind Of Woman
6. "Lazy"
7. "Space Truckin'"
8. "Black Night"*
9. "Speed King"*
10. "Lucille"*

*Bonus track on the 1998 reissue CD.

Cheers!!