April 24th, 2015 - Switching On The Power Windows

 Good afternoon! The Meista here today pairing "Power Windows" by Rush and a Switch Belgian-Style Sour Red Ale from the Utah Brewers Cooperative (Wasatch Brewery)!  This pairing goes out to John Crowley and Roseann Powell's husband... cheer guys!!
 
Album Info:

• Artist: Rush
• Title: "Power Windows"
• Recorded: April to June and August 1985 at The Manor Studio, Oxfordshire, England, Sarm East Studios, Angel Studios and Abbey Road Studios, London, England, and AIR Studios, Montserrat 
• Release date: October 29th, 1985 (11th studio album by Rush)
• Record company: Anthem/Mercury
• Album cover art: Hugh Syme
• Personnel: Geddy Lee (lead vocals, bass guitar, bass pedals, synthesizers ), Alex Lifeson (guitars), and Neil Peart (drums and percussion)
• Musical style: Progressive rock, hard rock, power pop, electronic rock
• Sound: Moving further away from their progressive '70s sound and significantly more synthesizer heavy than previous albums, "Power Windows" is crisp, technical, tight, angular, yet still punchy and rockin'.
• Major themes: The manifestation of power (greed, Cold War military aggression, nationalism, etc.), non-conformism, suburban monotony and mediocrity, criticism of the mainstream music industry, hope, etc.
• Notes: "Power Windows" was the first Rush album to ever be released directly to CD.
• Tracks:   

1. "Big Money"
2. "Grand Designs"
3. "Manhattan Project"
4. "Marathon"
5. "Territories"
6. "Middletown Dreams"
7. "Emotion Detector"
8. "Mystic Rhythms"

    Brew Info:

• Brewery: Utah Brewers Cooperative (Wasatch Brewery) (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: http://www.utahbeers.com/
• Brew: Switch Belgian-Style Sour Red Ale
• Style: American Wild Ale/Farmhouse Ale
• Serving: 22 ounce bottle
• ABV: 8%
• Pour: A very hazy plum red with a thin, white head that dissipates quickly leaving only trace lacing.
• Nose: The nose of the Switch is characterized by lemony tartness, barnyard funk, some dark fruit, and hints of caramel sweetness.  There are big aroma of lemon, red wine vinegar, Chardonnay, Belgian yeast, and horse blanket.
• Taste: Following the nose, the Switch is a very lemony brew with subtle elements of sweetness and maltiness.  There are big notes of lemon, sour cherry, and Chardonnay with more subtle flavors of grain, banana, wild yeast, and very light caramel.
• Mouthfeel: Light-bodied with moderate carbonation, the Switch Belgian-Style Sour Red Ale is very tart, crisp, and refreshing with a dry, punchy finish.

Overall pairing: The wild and tart flavors of the Switch Belgian-Style Sour Red Ale make for an interesting experience and an interesting pairing with "Power Windows".  The sharp flavor is great for the clarity with which Rush present their musical prowess and lyrical brilliance!

Cheers!!