August 1st, 2015 - A Pivo In the U.K.

Good evening!  Your pal the Meista here pairing the self-titled debut album by progressive supergroup U.K. and Pivo Hoppy Pilsner from Firestone Walker Brewing Company!
 
Album Info:

• Artist: U.K.
• Title: "U.K."
• Recorded: December 1977 through January 1978 at Trident Studios in London, England
• Release date: March 1978 (debut album of U.K.)
• Record company: E.G. Records/Polydor Records
• Production: U.K.
• Album cover art: Nicholas De Ville (famous for his work with Roxy Music)
• Personnel: Bill Bruford (drums and percussion), Allan Holdsworth (guitars), Eddie Jobson (keyboards, electric violin, and electronics), and John Wetton (lead and backing vocals and bass guitar)
• Musical style: Progressive rock, hard rock, jazz fusion, art rock, electronic rock
• Sound: With mixed meters, odd-numbered time signatures, jazz harmonies, haunting electronics, and soaring melodies, the sound on "U.K." is a mixture of experimental art rock and poppy prog.  With the like of Bruford, Holdsworth, Jobson, and Wetton, the musicianship is top-notch coupled with Wetton's fantastic vocals.  Bruford's driving beats make the perfect backdrop for Holdsworth's and Jobson's brilliance!
• Major themes: The themes on "U.K." are somewhat enigmatic, "artsy", and abstract, but there is a certain mood set throughout and themes seem to revolve around state's and degree's of mind, emotion, and sanity.
• Tracks: 

1. "In The Dead Of Night"
2. "By The Light Of Day"
3. "Presto Vivace and Reprise"
4. "Thirty Years"
5. "Alaska"
6. "Time To Kill"
7. "Nevermore"
8. "Mental Medication""

    Brew Info:

• Brewery: Firestone Walker Brewing Company
• Website: http://www.firestonebeer.com/home.php
• Brew: Pivo Hoppy Pilsner
• Style: Pilsner
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 5.3%
• IBUs: 40
• Ingredients: Hallertau-grown Magnum hops, Spalter Select hops, and dry-hopped with German Saphir hops
• Pour: Bright, clear straw-gold with a bright, light, billowy 1-finger head that dissipates quickly, leaving a light film and sparse lacing.
• Nose: The nose of the Pivo Hoppy Pilsner is fairly mellow with subtle aromas of grassy hops, crackery grains, lemon zest, and a hint of fruit.
• Taste: Along with earthy and grassy hops, the Pivo is characterized by flavors of lemongrass, bergamot, stoneground grains, green tea, black tea, and a slightly peppery finish.
• Mouthfeel: Light-bodied and moderately carbonated, the Pivo's mouthfeel is crisp, smooth, and refreshing with a rather clean and slightly grassy finish.

Overall pairing: The light, crisp, and inviting flavor of Firestone Walker's Pivo Hoppy Pilsner lends itself well to the ethereal and soothing vocals of Wetton along with some of the jazzier bass lines and soaring keyboards, while the hoppier more peppery flavors work well with the more progressive and freeform elements of Holdsworth's guitars, Jobson's violin work, and Bruford's amazing drumming!

Cheers... and goodnight!!