June 24th, 2016 - That Helles Bock Back In 1984

All right your crazy rock and rollers... your drinking buddy the Meista is here with one more kick-ass pairing for ya tonight!  How's 'bout some classic "1984" Van Halen and a Helles Bock from Bohemian Brewery?  Sounds about right to me!!  Oh, and this pairing goes out to my "little" brother Dain-o as an early birthday present... cheers and happy birthday bro... love ya man!!!  Thanks for the beer!!

Album Info:

• Artist: Van Halen
• Title: "1984"
• Recorded: 1983 at 5150 Studios in Studio City, California
  Release date: January 9th, 1984 (6th studio album by Van Halen)
• Record company: Warner Bros.
• Production: Ted Templeman
• Album cover art: Margo Nahas
• Personnel: Michael Anthony (bass guitar and backing vocals), David Lee Roth (lead vocals), Alex Van Halen (drums and backing vocals), and Eddie Van Halen (guitars, keyboards, backing vocals)
• Musical style: Hard rock, heavy metal
• Sound: Damn... how do you define the sound on this album?  It is so very '80s, but timeless as well... and that goddamned guitar solo on "I'll Wait"... fucking brilliant!!!
• Major themes: Sex, rock and roll, attraction, lust, partying, life, love, and gettin' crazy!
• Notes: So the song "Jump" pretty much defined my early teen years... seriously bad-assery all around!!  Hell, my mom even likes this song!  :)
• Tracks:   

1. "1984"
2. "Jump"
3. "Panama"
4. "Top Jimmy"
5. "Drop Dead Legs"
6. "Hot For Teacher"
7. "I'll Wait"
8. "Girl Gone Bad"
9. "House Of Pain"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Bohemian Brewery (Midvale, Utah)
• Website: http://www.bohemianbrewery.com/     
• Brew: Helles Bock
• Style: Maibock
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 6.9%
• IBUs: 33 
• Ingredients: Pilsener, Vienna, and Munich malts with German hops
• Pour: The Helles Bock pours a deep golden-red bronze with a thin, frothy white head and lots of effervescence. 
• Nose: The nose is toasty, fruity, and just slightly hoppy.  There are aromas of spiced apple, pear, caramel, herbs, subtle spices, and a very slight hint of grassy hops.
• Taste: The taste is like the nose, spicy, fruity, sweet, and malty.  There are notes of apple cider, pear syrup, caramel, sweet breads, hints of cinnamon, and herbs.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is very smooth and refreshing with a clean, mellow finish.

Overall pairing: The wonderful thing about the Helles Bock from Bohemian Brewery is that it is incredibly flavorful, a bit punchy, and sweet.  All elements that I think perfectly describe and pair well with Van Halen's amazing "1984"!

Cheers rockers and rollers!!