June 12th, 2015 - Skinny Dipping With A Fish That's Been Out Of Water

Good evening my friends!  The Meista here tonight pairing "Fish Out Of Water", the only solo album by Yes bassist Chris Squire and a Skinny Dip from New Belgium Brewing Company!  (Here's to the health of Mr. Squire who was recently diagnosed with leukemia.) 

Album Info:

• Artist: Chris Squire
• Title: "Fish Out Of Water"
• Recorded: February through September 1975 at Virginia Water, Surrey Sound Studios and Morgan Studios, London
• Release date: December 30th, 1975 (US)
• Record company: Atlantic Records
• Production: Chris Squire
• Album cover art: Laurence Bernes
• Personnel: Chris Squire (lead and backing vocals, bass guitar, twelve-string guitar, drums), with Adrian Bett (woodwinds lead), Bill Bruford (drums and percussion), Jim Buck (horns lead), Mel Collins (alto and tenor saxophones), Julian Gaillard (strings lead), Jimmy Hastings (flute), Andrew Jackman (acoustic and electric pianos, conductor, and orchestration), Patrick Moraz (bass synthesizer and organ), Barry Rose (pipe organ), Nikki Squire (backing vocals), and John Wilbraham (brass lead) 
• Musical style: Progressive rock, jazz fusion, symphonic rock, baroque rock with elements of classical and pop
• Sound: Similar in approach and delivery of Yes' "Relayer", "Fish Out Of Water" is wonderfully rich, yet somewhat light album.  Squire's bass and guitar work along with the drumming of Bruford and Collins' sax work is really something to behold and definitely stands the test of time.  The orchestration adds some really nice elements to the album as well.
• Major themes: Seeking truth and knowledge, love and devotion, life, peace, meditation, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "Hold Out Your Hand"
2. "You By My Side"
3. "Silently Falling"
4. "Lucky Seven"
5. "Safe (Canon Song)"

    Brew Info:

• Brewery: New Belgium Brewing Company (Fort Collins, Colorado)
• Website: http://www.newbelgium.com/
• Brew: Skinny Dip
• Style: American Blonde Ale
• Serving: 12 ounce bottle
• ABV: 4.2%
• IBUs: 22
• Ingredients: American lager yeast, Pale, Caramel, and Extra Special malts, Nugget, Cascade, US Golding, and Willamette hops, and fresh peach juice
• Pour: Slightly hazy orange amber with a light white head that dissipates quickly leaving only a hint of lacing
• Nose: The nose is a mellow blend of bready and biscuity malts with lighter fruit and hops aromas.
• Taste: The flavor of the Skinny Dip is grainy and crackery, with light herbal and citrusy hops.   There are notes of sourdough bread, crackers, light lime or lemon, pear, and very light peach along with some grassy hops.
• Mouthfeel: Light-bodied and well-carbonated, the mouthfeel is refreshing, clean, and somewhat juicy with a dry, crisp finish.

Overall pairing:  The crisp, light, refreshing flavor of the Skinny Dip is a great, thirst-quenching summer ale (I found myself gulping it like water) that goes well with the relaxed groove and atmosphere of "Fish Out Of Water"... perfect for a warm Friday night of chillin'! 

Cheers!!