December 23rd, 2016 - Pack Train Of Thoughts

Good evening!  The Meista here tonight pairing a favorite of mine, Dream Theater's "Train Of Thought" with a Pack Train Double India Pale Ale from Big Sky Brewing Company!

Album Info:

• Artist: Dream Theater
• Title: "Train Of Thought"
• Recorded: March  through September 2003 in Cove City Sound Studios, Pie Studios, and Beat Street Studios in New York City, New York
  Release date: November 11th, 2003 (7th studio album by Dream Theater)
• Record company: Elektra Records
• Production: Mike Portnoy and John Petrucci
• Album cover art: Jerry Uelsmann
• Personnel: James LaBrie (lead vocals), John Myung (bass), John Petrucci (guitars and backing vocals), Mike Portnoy (drums and backing vocals), and Jordan Rudess (keyboards)
• Guest musician: Eugene Friesen (cello on "Vacant")
• Musical style: Progressive metal/rock, heavy metal
• Sound: Probably their heaviest and most metal album, the sound on "Train Of Thought" is aggressive, powerful, and dark!  There is heavy riffing, thunderous drumming, mind-blowing bass lines, a vast vocal range, interesting time signatures, crazy transitions, rich melodies, and amazing solos!
• Major themes: Being true to yourself, self knowledge, addiction, hate, aggression, fear, regrets in life, pain, loss, death, etc.
• Tracks:  

1. "As I Am"
2. "This Dying Soul"
3. "Endless Sacrifice"
4. "Honor Thy Father"
5. "Vacant"
6. "Stream Of Consciousness"
7. "In The Name Of God"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Big Sky Brewing Company (Missoula, Montana)
• Website: http://bigskybrew.com/
• Brew: Pack Train Double India Pale Ale
• Style: Double India Pale Ale (DIPA)
• Serving: 12 ounce bottle
• ABV: 8.7%
• IBUs: 85
• Ingredients: Oregon Nugget, Simcoe and Cascade hops combined with Crystal and Pale malts
• Pour: The Pack Train pours a hazy golden amber with a creamy and frothy, bright white, 1-finger head with great retention and thick, layered lacing.
• Nose: The nose is earthy, dank, citrusy, herbal, soapy, and full of caramel aromas.  There are notes of pine resin, grapefruit rind, lemon zest, black tea, and soft caramel.
• Taste: The flavor is bitter, herbal, floral, dank, earthy, and citrusy.  There are notes of herbal tea, bitter herbs, pine, grapefruit rind, orange peel, lemon zest, and hearty malt.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and moderately carbonated, the mouthfeel is crisp, smooth, creamy, bitter, and oily with a dry, bitter, yet fruity finish.

Overall pairing: The bold, bitter, complex flavors, and delicious flavors and aromas of the Pack Train Double India Pale Ale from the fine folks at Big Sky Brewing is perfect for the intense, aggressive, and profoundly powerful execution of musicianship on Dream Theater's perfect and heavy as hell "Train Of Thought"!!  'Nuff said!!

Cheers and hails!!