February 19th, 2016 - Shock The Dogfather

"And now for something completely different!"  Good evening!  The Meista here getting a little more cerebral and mellow tonight with Peter Gabriel and a Dogfather Imperial Stout from Laughing Dog Brewing!

Album Info:

• Artist: Peter Gabriel
• Title: "Peter Gabriel" (aka "Security")*
• Recorded: 1981 through 1982 at Ashcombe House in Bath, England
• Release date: September 6th, 1982 (4th solo studio album by Peter Gabriel)
• Record company: Geffen Records
• Production: David Lord and Peter Gabriel
• Album cover art: Malcolm Poynter, Peter Gabriel, and David Gardner
• Personnel: Peter Gabriel (vocals, programming, Prophet 5, Polymoog, Fairlight CMI Series I, Yamaha electric grand piano, surdo, and Linn LM-1 drum computer) with Larry Fast (synthesizers), Tony Levin (bass and stick), Jerry Morotta (drums and percussion) and David Rhodes (guitar)
• Additional musicians: Ekome Dance Company (Ghanaian drums), John Ellis (backing vocals),  Jill Gabriel (backing vocals), Peter Hammill (backing vocals), Roberto Laneri (treated saxophone), David Lord (piano and synthesizers), Stephen Paine (Fairlight CMI), and Morris Pert (timbales and percussion)
• Musical style: Art rock, electronic rock, experimental rock, progressive rock, and worldbeat
• Sound: Dark and brooding
• Major themes: Fear, pain, jealousy, anxiety, isolation, Voodoo, tribal culture, primal behaviors, Jungian analysis, relationships
• Notes:  *Although the album actually has no title, Geffen Records (with Gabriel's reluctance) placed a sticker on the shrink-wrap packaging that read "Security". 
• Tracks:   

1. "The Rhythm Of The Heat"
2. "San Jacinto"
3. "I Have The Touch"
4. "The Family And The Fishing Net"
5. "Shock The Money"
6. "Lay Your Hands On Me"
7. "Wallflower"
8. "Kiss Of Life"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Laughing Dog Brewing (Ponderay, Idaho)
• Website: www.laughingdogbrewing.com
• Brew: Dogfather Imperial Stout
• Style: Imperial Stout
• Serving: 22 ounce bottle
• ABV: 10.85%
• IBUs: 71
• Ingredients: 7 malts and 4 different hops
• Pour: Pours an ink black with a frothy mocha head with good sustain and strong lacing.
• Nose: The nose is earthy, roasty, rich, woody, vegetal, and chocolaty.  There are strong aromas of dark roasted coffee, cocoa, baker's chocolate, molasses, brandy or bourbon, vanilla, and pumpkin or squash.
• Taste: The taste of the Dogfather follows the nose, but with stronger bourbon and molasses.  There are strong notes of dark chocolate, bourbon, vanilla bean, dark roasted coffee, roasted malt, and black pepper.
• Mouthfeel: Full-bodied and very low carbonation, the mouthfeel is velvety smooth with a dry, semi-sweet finish.

Overall pairing: The entire mood of this album fits with the Dogfather.  It is dark, brooding, and earthy mixed with unexpected bursts of emotion. 

Cheers!!