March 17th, 2017 - Fighting For Irish Whiskey Aged Stout

Hello and happy St. Patrick's Day!  The Meista here today getting the holiday off right with a pairing of "Fighting" by Thin Lizzy and an Innis & Gunn Irish Whiskey Aged Stout from Innis & Gunn!  This pairing is dedicated to Mr. Scott Gorham (today is his 66th birthday) and to the memory of Mr. Phil Lynott!!  Cheers and hails gentlemen!!


Album Info:

• Artist: Thin Lizzy
• Title: "Fighting"
• Recorded: May 1975 in London, England
• Release date: September 12th, 1975
• Record company: Mercury Records
• Production: Phil Lynott
• Album cover art: Jim Ladwig and Keith Morris
• Personnel: Brian Downey (drums and percussion), Scott Gorham (guitar), Phil Lynott (bass, lead vocals, and acoustic guitar on "Wild One"), and Brian Robertson (guitar and backing vocals)
• Additional musicians: Roger Chapman (backing vocals on "Rosalie"), Ian McLagan (piano on "Silver Dollar"), and Jean Alain Roussel (Hammond organ)
• Musical style: Hard rock
• Sound: Definitely one of my all-time favorite albums, fiercely guitar-driven, the sound on "Fighting" is intense, virile, yet also very melodic!  The dual guitar work of Gorham and Robertson is breathtaking!  Downey and Lynott pound out an intense rhythm and groove throughout!  And Lynott's vocals are perfect!
• Major themes: Love, lust, desire, death, rebellion, resistance, vengeance, power, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "Rosalie"
2. "For Those Who Love To Live"
3. "Suicide"
4. "Wild One"
5. "Fighting My Way Back"
6. "King's Vengeance"
7. "Spirit Slips Away"
8. "Silver Dollar"
9. "Freedom Song"
10. "Ballad Of The Hard Man"

    Brew Info:

• Brewery: Innis & Gunn (Edinburgh, Scotland)
• Website: http://innisandgunn.com/
• Brew: Innis & Gunn Irish Whiskey Aged Stout
• Style: English Stout
• Serving: 12 ounce bottle
• ABV: 7.4%
• Pour: The Innis & Gunn Irish Whiskey Aged Stout pours a very dark brown (almost black) with small, but firm mocha head with nice retention and lacing.
• Nose: The nose is roasty, toasty, earthy, woody, and a little smoky.  There are aromas of dark roasted malt, dark coffee, dark chocolate, light banana, caramel, whiskey, and oak.
• Taste: The taste is somewhat sweet, very malty, nutty, and a little boozy.  There are notes of caramel, cocoa, vanilla, black walnut, oak, and whiskey.
• Mouthfeel: Full-bodied with lower carbonation, the mouthfeel of the Innis & Gunn Irish Whiskey Aged Stout is silky smooth and velvety, creamy, and thick with a dry and warming finish.

Overall pairing: The depth of rock and roll brilliance on "Fighting" is almost staggering... soooo you have to have a big, bold, kick-ass brew to accompany... thus the Innis & Gunn Irish Whiskey Aged Stout!  I cannot think of anything better to listen to and to drink on St. Patrick's Day... or any day for that matter!!

Sláinte!!  Rock on!!