May 15th, 2015 - Up On The Venn

Howdy!  Seeing that is a bit dreary here in SLC, I thought I would go with something with a sunnier disposition.  Your pal the Meista here enjoying a pairing of  "Up On The Sun" by the Meat Puppets and a Venn Dortmund-Style Lager from Ninkasi Brewing Company!  This one goes out to my buddy Chad... cheers bro!!

Album Info:

• Artist: Meat Puppets
• Title: "Up On The Sun"
• Recorded: January 26th through 28th, 1985 at Total Access Studios in Redondo Beach, California
• Release date: March 1985 (3rd album by the Meat Puppets)
• Record company: SST
• Production: Spot
• Personnel: Derrick Bostrom (drums), Cris Kirkwood (bass and vocals), and Curt Kirkwood (guitar and vocals)
• Musical style: Cowpunk/rock and roll with elements of folk rock and funk
• Sound: Somewhat reminiscent of Talking Head by incorporating folk and funk into their sound, "Up On The Sun" is one of the mellowest by the Meat Puppets and was not well-received by many fans of the punk band.  However, I think the album is one of their best. It is richly textured, upbeat, honest, and wonderfully written and executed.
• Major themes: Living life honestly and in the moment, childhood memories, enjoying the company of family and friends, etc.
• Notes: In May 2011, the Meat Puppets performed "Up On The Sun" live in its entirety at the request the All Tomorrow's Parties festival.
• Tracks:   

1. "Up On The Sun" (1999 Rykodisc Reissue with Bonus Tracks)
2. "Maiden's Milk"
3. "Away"
4. "Animal Kingdom"
5. "Hot Pink"
6. "Swimming Ground"
7. "Buckethead"
8. "Too Real"
9. "Enchanted Forest"
10. "Seal Whales"
11. "Two Rivers"
12. "Creator"
13. "Hot Pink" (Demo Version 1)
14. "Up on the Sun" (Demo Version)
15. "Mother American Marshmallow" (Bonus Track)
16. "Embodiment of Evil" (Bonus Track)
17. "Hot Pink" (Demo Version 2)

    Brew Info:

• Brewery: Ninkasi Brewing Company (Eugene, OR)
• Website: http://www.ninkasibrewing.com/
• Brew: Venn Dortmund-Style Lager
• Style: Dortmunder Lager
• Serving: 12 ounce bottle
• ABV: 5.1% 
• IBUs: 25
• Gravity: 1050
• Ingredients: Pilsner, Vienna, Carahell, and Acidulated malts along with German Magnum and German Hersbrucker hops
• Pour: The Venn pours a fairly clear straw-gold with a thin, white head that leaves trace lacing.
• Nose: The Nose is characterized by light bready grain aromas, fruity citrus, and mellow sweetness.  There are aromas of cereal, crackery biscuit, fresh bread, lemon, and hints of caramel/toffee.
• Taste: A really nice, well-balanced taste of Noble hop bitterness combined with sweet malt, floral, and citrus flavor, the Venn Dortmund-Style Lager is characterized by notes of grassy hops, lemon, sweet biscuit, fresh baked bread, hints of jasmine, and very subtle and soft caramel. 
• Mouthfeel: Light-bodied with good carbonation, the Venn Dortmund-Style Lager's mouthfeel is crisp and refreshing.  The finish is very clean.

Overall pairing: The lighter, crisper, more biscuity flavor of the Venn Dortmund-Style Lager is a great beer to enjoy whilst kicking back with the more mellow, but wonderful music of "Up On The Sun" by the Meat Puppets.  The great harmonies and intricate guitar/bass work is perfect for the well-balanced drinkability of the Venn!

Prost!!