April 19th, 2015 - A Celestial CDL Blessing In Disguise

Sunday morning... time for church... the METAL CHURCH that is!!  Hey there rockers and hop-heads.. the Meista here today pairing the very underrated "Blessing In Disguise" by Metal Church and a tasty Celestial Meridian Cascadian Dark Lager (CDL) from Base Camp Brewing Company!  Hallelujah! 
 
Album Info:

• Artist: Metal Church
• Title: "Blessing In Disguise"
• Recorded: August 29th through October 4th, 1988 at Kajem Victory Recording, Gladwyne, Pennsylvania
• Release date: February 7th, 1989
• Record company: Elektra Records
• Personnel: Kirk Arrington (drums), Duke Erickson (bass guitar), Mike Howe (vocals), John Marshall (guitars), and Craig Wells (guitars)
• Musical style: Thrash/power metal
• Sound: Aggressive, in-your-face, buzz-saw thrash goodness!  Combining the speed and precision of the NWOBHM sound with American hard rock assertiveness, "Blessing In Disguise" is the epitome of the early '80s thrash sound... tight and furiously fast musicianship foiled by screeching and angry vocals!
• Major themes: Social and religious criticism, war, insanity, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "Fake Healer"
2. "Rest In Pieces (April 15, 1912)"
3. "Of Unsound Mind"
4. "Anthem To The Estranged"
5. "Badlands"
6. "The Spell Can't Be Broken"
7. "It's  A Secret"
8. "Cannot Tell A Lie"
9. "The Powers That Be"

    Brew Info:

• Brewery: Base Camp Brewing Company (Portland, Oregon)
• Website: http://basecampbrewingco.com/
• Brew: Celestial Meridian CDL
• Style: Euro Dark Lager
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 5.1%
• IBUs: 45
• Gravity: 17.2 degrees Plato
• Pour: The Celestial Meridian CDL pours an opaque milk chocolate sienna with a huge yellowish tan, 2+ finger head with great retention and intricate, sustained lacing.
• Nose: The nose is characterized by citrus, tropical fruit, and pine aromas along with sweeter and maltier notes.
• Taste: The Meridian hops give this beer big citrus, tropical fruit, and pine flavors while the dark roasted malts provide a light and toasted sweetness, which is a nice balance to the bitter hops. 
• Mouthfeel: Very crisp, hoppy, and somewhat biting with a surprisingly clean finish for a darker brew.

Overall pairing: The punchy and hoppy qualities of the Celestial Meridian CDL are perfect for the thunderous bass and drums, crushing guitars, and gravel and broken glass vocals of Metal Church's "Blessing In Disguise"!  And both are the perfect Sunday morning "spiritual" wake-me-up!!

Cheers... and amen my metal brothas and sistas!!