December 24th, 2014 - Blue(s) Breaker Law Porter

Good evening!  The Meista here with another X-mas pairing for ya, the classic "Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton" by John Mayall and a Blue Law Porter (Release #3) from Epic Brewing Company!  This one goes out to my bro-in-law Nick (and the hot girl behind the counter at Epic)!! :)  Cheers!!

Album Info:

• Artist: John Mayall
• Title: "Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton" (aka the "Beano" album)
• Recorded: March 1966 at Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London, England
• Release date: July 22nd, 1966
• Record company: Decca
• Personnel: John Mayall – lead vocals, piano, Hammond B3 organ, and harmonica; Eric Clapton – guitar and lead vocals on "Ramblin' on My Mind"; John McVie – bass guitar; and Hughie Flint – drums
• Additional musicians: Johnny Almond  – baritone saxophone; Derek Healey – trumpet; and Alan Skidmore – tenor saxophone
• Major themes: Standard blues themes... loss,
• Musical style: Heavy and deep-routed blues with rock and roll, R&B, and jazz influence.
• Sound: Rich, rich, rich bluesy goodness... did I mention rich?
• Notes: The album consists of several important blues standards by Robert Johnson, Freddie King, and Otis Rush, as well as some brilliant originals penned by Mayall and Clapton.
• Tracks:

1. "All Your Love"
2. "Hide Away"
3. "Little Girl"
4. "Another Man"
5. "Double Crossing Time"
6. "What'd I Say"
7. "Key To Love"
8. "Parchman Farm"
9. "Have You Heard"
10. "Ramblin' On My Mind"
11. "Steppin' Out"
12. "It Ain't Right"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Epic Brewing Company
• Website: http://epicbrewing.com/
• Brew: Blue Law Porter (Exponential Series)
• Style: American Porter
• Serving: 22 ounce bottle
• ABV: 6.3%
• Ingredients: Blackberry puree and hand picked spruce tips blended with a traditional Porter malts (2-Row Chocolate, Muntons Maris Otter, etc.)
• Pour: Opaque ink black with a 1-finger mocha head that dissipates rather quickly, but leaves intricate and sustained spider web lacing.
• Nose: A nice blend of chocolate, coffee, berries, wood, and smokiness.  Notes of fresh picked berries, dark chocolate, a vanilla bean, marshmallow, cedar, and pine.
• Taste: A nice blend of sweet and tart coupled with roast malts.  Notes of bittersweet dark chocolate, tart blackberries,
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with mellow carbonation... quite smooth, but with a somewhat surprising acidic/tart and dry tingle on the tongue.
• Finish: Crips, clean, and dry with a nice, tart kiss.

Overall pairing: The meatiness and depth of this dark brew lends itself well to the rich bluesiness of Mayall and his boys... very nice! Cheers and happy holidays!!!