April 3rd, 2016 - This Was A Brumblin' Brown... or... My Sunday Feeling With A Proper Brew

Good afternoon!  The Meista is here on a lazy Sunday kicking back with a Brumblin' Brown Belgian-Style Table Beer from Proper Brewing Company and swingin' to Jethro Tull's debut album, "This Was"! 

Album Info:

• Artist: Jethro Tull
• Title: "This Was"
• Recorded: June 13th, 1968 through August 23rd,1968 at Sound Techniques, Chelsea, London
• Release date: 25 October 25th, 1968 in the UK and February 3rd, 1969 in the US (1st album by Jethro Tull) 009-02-03)
• Record company: Island Records / Reprise Records
• Production: Terry Ellis and Jethro Tull
• Album cover art: Ian Anderson and Terry Ellis (concept and design) and Brian Ward (photography)
• Personnel: Mick Abrahams (guitars, backing and lead vocals on track 4), Ian Anderson (lead vocals, flute, mouth organ, "claghorn", and piano), Clive Bunker (drums, hooter, and charm bracelet), Glenn Cornick (bass guitar)
• Additional musicians: David Palmer (horn arrangements)
• Musical style: Blues rock, heavy blues, folk rock, jazz fusion
• Sound: With a heavy rhythm and blues and jazz influence, "This Was" is a very different sound from what would be become the more progressive signature sound of the band.  Although it is the only Tull album to feature Abrahams, his blues and jazz influence is profound.  Musically, the band is incredibly tight, wonderfully inspired, and full of youthful rebellion!
• Major themes: Steeped in blues themes, the lyrics mostly examine loss, sadness, isolation, and dangerous women.
• Tracks:   

1. "My Sunday Feeling"
2. "Some Day the Sun Won't Shine for You"
3. "Beggar's Farm"
4. "Move On Alone"
5. "Serenade To A Cuckoo"
6. "Dharma For One"
7. "It's Breaking Me Up"
8. "Cat's Squirrel"
9. "A Song For Jeffery"
10. "Round"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Proper Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: http://www.properbrewingco.com/
• Brew: Brumblin' Brown Belgian-Style Table Beer
• Style: Belgian Table Beer
• Serving: 22 ounce bottle
• ABV: 5.2%
• IBUs: 29
• Pour: Deep, opaque mahogany with a thin white head that dissipates quickly and leaves almost no lacing. 
• Nose: The nose is roasty, malty, and toasty with lots of aromas of flaked oats, toasted bread, brown sugar, roasted nuts, Belgian yeast, soft banana, and caramel.
• Taste: Following the nose, the taste is toasty and malty with some nice Belgian fruit ester and sweetness.  There are notes of roasted hazelnuts, toasted bread, caramel/toffee, dark fruit, soft banana, and subtle spices.
• Mouthfeel: Light to medium in body with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is very smooth and drinkable with a somewhat dry, yet clean finish.

Overall pairing: The very inviting, easy-drinking style of the Brumblin' Brown Belgian-Style Table Beer from Proper Brewing Company is perfect for "my Sunday feeling" and the wonderfully rich and soulful blues stylings of early Jethro Tull! 

Cheers!!