May 24th, 2015 - When Abigail Met Gose the Gozerian

Hello there!  Your pal the Meista here today pairing a Gose the Gozerian from Avenues Proper Restaurant & Publick House and "Abigail" by King Diamond!

Album Info:

• Artist: King Diamond
• Title: "Abigail" (Deluxe Edition)
• Recorded: December 1986 through February 1987 at Sound Track Studio, Copenhagen, Denmark
• Release date: October 21st, 1987 (2nd studio album by King Diamond)
• Record company: Roadrunner Records
• Production: King Diamond
• Album cover art: Thomas Holm and Torbjörn Jörgenson
• Personnel: Mikkey Dee (drums), Michael Denner (guitars), Timi Hansen (bass), Andy LaRocque (guitars), and Kim Bendix Petersen (aka King Diamond) (vocals)
• Musical style: Heavy metal with elements of progressive rock and NWOBHM
• Sound: Characterized by Petersen's extensive vocal range (and most notably his insane falsetto) coupled by the powerfully intense and complex musicianship of the band, the sound on "Abigail" is brilliantly composed and executed metal album with machine gun fire drumming, thunderous bass, and soaring guitars.
• Major themes: A ghost story concept album, "Abigail" tells the story about a young couple who move into an old family mansion only to learn that it is haunted by an evil presence.  Themes throughout the album include the supernatural, paying heed to omens, death, and evil.
• Notes: The "Abigail" album is a tribute to Petersen's father. 
• Tracks:   

1. "Funereal"
2. "Arrival"
3. "A Mansion In Darkness"
4. "The Family Ghost"
5. "The 7th Day Of July 1777"
6. "Omens"
7. "The Possession"
8. "Abigail"
9. "Black Horsemen"
10. "Shrine"
11. "A Mansion In Darkness" (Rough Mix - Bonus Track)
12. "The Family Ghost" (Rough Mix - Bonus Track)
13. "The Possession" (Rough Mix - Bonus Track)

    Brew Info:

• Brewery: Avenues Proper Restaurant & Publick House (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: http://www.avenuesproper.com/
• Brew: Gose the Gozerian
• Style: Leipziger Gose (pronounced \ˈgōz\ uh\)
• Serving: pint glass off the tap
• ABV: 4%
• Ingredients: 50% wheat, coriander, and local salt from the Great Salt Lake
• Pour: A very murky, unfiltered golden yellow with a frothy, bright white half-finger head
• Nose: The nose is characterized by big wheat, citrus, and salty aromas.  There are notes of freshly baked wheat bread, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and other spices.
• Taste: The taste of Gose the Gozerian is acidic, salty, and wheaty.  There are big "sour and tangy [flavors] with a floral spice character". 
• Mouthfeel: Light-bodied and well-carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Gose the Gozerian is sour, salty, and tangy with a clean, crisp, and refreshing finish.

Overall pairing: Something as unique and compelling as the tart and salty Gose the Gozerian is great for the unique brilliance of King Diamond's "Abigail".   The lemony elements are perfect for Petersen's high falsetto, while the saltier elements work well with the guitar attack of  Denner and LaRocque.

Cheers and hails to the King!!