September 7th, 2014 - A Sea Change In The Shipyard

Evening my friends... I'm changing gears a bit this evening and going rather mellow... both in ale and in music.  It seemed like a good way to end the day.  Tonight I'm pairing Beck's "Sea Change" and a Shipyard Export Ale from Shipyard Brewing Company (Portland, Maine)!  This pairing goes out to my bro Shann... cheers buddy!

"Sea Change" is the 8th studio album by musician Bek David Campbell (aka Beck).  It was released on September 24th, 2002.  The album was written and record not long after Beck split with his then fiancé Leigh Limon due to her (shall we say) improprieties.  Whereas previous works were lyrically ironic, humorous, and whimsical, "Sea Change" is both thematically and musically rather melancholy and personal.  It explores heartbreak, loneliness, betrayal, and depression with honesty, sincerity, and artistic integrity.  Acoustic and symphonically based, "Sea Change" is a far more mature album than previous outings and portrays Beck as a singer/songwriter in his own right.  I admit that I'm not in the mood for this album very often, but when I am I'm all in... it is simply wonderful... wonderful in a very dark and introspective kind of way.  There's an almost later Beatles-esque kind of element to the songs.  In short, a fantastic album and something every music fan should check out.

The Shipyard Export Ale from Shipyard Brewing Company is an American Blonde Ale.  Similar to a German Kölsch in flavor and brewing principal, American Blonde Ales are essentially a creation stemming from the craft-brewery movement of the past 20 years or so.  Light-bodied, American Blonde Ales tend to be well attenuated, light in malt flavors and fruitiness, and hopped in the noble tradition.  This can definitely be said of the Shipyard Export Ale.  It seems to be made for "Sea Change".  It pours clear sallow cider gold-amber with thin white head that dissipates quickly and leaves only traces of itself.  The nose is a mellow combination of musty, earthy, and fruity.  There are subtle aromas of sweet pear juice, doughy bread, grassy hops, and a dank basement.  Light in body (5.1% ABV) and moderately carbonated, the mouthfeel is crisp yet somewhat creamy... very smooth.  The flavor is a combination of light malts, light hops, and light ester.  There are notes of doughy, freshly baked bread, fruit cup syrup, and subdued noble hops.  It goes down easy and leaves a rather clean finish. 

Cheers!