December 19th, 2014 - Elements Of Cu 29 And Stratovarius

Hyvää iltaa!  The Meista here with an "epic" pairing tonight for you... "Elements Part 1" by Finnish power metal monsters Stratovarius and an Element Cu 29 Pale Ale from Epic Brewing Company!  Oh yeah!!

Album Info:

• Artist: Stratovarius
• Title: "Elements Part 1"
• Recorded at: Finnvox Studios
• Release date: January 27th, 2003 (9th studio album by the band)
• Record company: Nuclear Blast
• Personnel: Jens Johansson - keyboards, Jari Kainulainen - bass, Timo Kotipelto - lead vocals, Jörg Michael - drums, and Timo Tolkki - guitar, engineering, production
• Cover art by: Derek Riggs (of Iron Maiden cover art fame)
• Major themes/lyrical content: As the album cover portrays, the major theme and musical style of the album is about passion, contrast, dichotomy, and juxtaposition - in essence the division of the elements fire and water.
• Musical style: Neo-classical metal, power metal, progressive metal, symphonic metal
• Sound: Epic, bombastic, and soaring melodies, vocals, and guitars along with intricate keys coupled with stampeding bass work and machine gun fire drumming!
• Tracks:

1. "Eagleheart"
2. "Soul Of A Vagabond"
3. "Find Your Own Voice"
4. "Fantasia"
5. "Learning To Fly"
6. "Papillon"
7. "Stratofortress"
8. "Elements"
9. "Drop In The Ocean"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Epic Brewing Company
• Website: http://epicbrewing.com/
• Brew: Element Cu 29 Pale Ale
• Style: American Pale Ale (APA)
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 5.2%
• Hops: Amarillo
• Pour: Clear, rich copper-amber hue with a billowing off-white head that leaves intricate doily lacing
• Nose: The nose is a blast of pine resin, bold citrus, and more subtle sweet caramel malt.  Aromas of pine, cedar, juicy grapefruit, tangerine, a touch of peach and floral hops.
• Taste: A pine and citrus profile with a solid malty backbone.  Big notes of pink grapefruit, pine, and summer grass along with more subtle flavors of toffee and hearty bread.
• Mouthfeel: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation - very smooth with a bit of a bite.
• Finish: Crisp and dry with a lingering, yet subtle bitter bite.

Overall pairing:  The crisp and refreshing, yet complex flavor of the Element Cu 29 Pale Ale goes great with the up-beat and soaring passages and tracks of "Elements Part 1"!

Kippis... Pohjanmaan kautta!!