July 7th, 2017 - Rockin' The Nations With A Marionberry Braggot

Hey there rockers and crafter beer lovers!  Your pal the Meista here getting heavy with "Rock The Nations" by the mighty Saxon and a Rogue Farms Marionberry Braggot from Rogue Ales!


Album Info:

• Artist: Saxon
• Title: "Rock The Nations" (2010 remastered version with bonus tracks)
• Recorded: 1986 at Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum, Netherlands 
• Release date: October 13th, 1986 (8th studio album by Saxon)
• Record company: EMI
• Production: Gary Lyons
• Album cover art: Paul R. Gregory
• Personnel: Biff Byford (vocals and bass guitar), Nigel Glockler (drums), Paul Johnson (credited with bass guitar, but did not actually play on the album... he joined Saxon after the album was recorded), Graham Oliver (guitar), and Paul Quinn (guitar)
• Additional musicians: Elton John (piano on "Party 'til You Puke" and "Northern Lady")
• Musical style: Heavy metal, hard rock
• Sound: Poppier and more radio-friendly than previous albums, "Rock The Nations" still is a solid, and punchy hard rock album from the NWOBHM leaders Saxon!  The guitar work of Oliver and Quinn is raw, aggressive, and wonderfully powerful, while Byford's vocals are perfect!  
• Major themes: Rock and roll, touring, valor, war, desire, love, rebellion, partying, drinking, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "Rock The Nations"
2. "Battle Cry"
3. "Waiting For The Night"
4. "We Came Here To Rock"
5. "You Ain't No Angel"
6. "Running Hot"
7. "Party 'til You Puke"
8. "Empty Promises"
9. "Northern Lady"
10. "Chase The Fade" (b-side of "Waiting For The Night")
11. "Waiting For The Night" (7" single edition)
12. "Northern Lady" (7" single edition)
13. "Everybody Up" (live b-side of "Northern Lady")
14. "Dallas 1PM" (live b-side of "Northern Lady")
15. "Power And The Glory" (live)
16. "Rock The Nations" (live)
17. "Waiting For The Night" (live)

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Rogue Ales (Newport, Oregon)
• Website: http://www.rogue.com/
• Brew: Rogue Farms Marionberry Braggot      
• Style: Braggot / Fruit Ale
• Serving: 25 ounce bottle
• ABV: 11.42%
• IBUs: 17
• Ingredients: The Rogue Farms Marionberry Braggot is brewed with two varieties of honey, Munich malts, organic rye, Rebel hops, Pacman yeast and "free-range" coastal water as well as fresh Marion berries.
• Pour: It pours a deep mahogany (with tinges of purple and crimson) with a 2+ finger, frothy mocha head that dissipates quickly, leaving only trace lacing.
• Nose: The nose is initially rather mellow but becomes more prevalent as the brew warms.  There are aromas of tart berries, fruit punch, fragrant honey, hearty malts, a hint of vanilla, and a booziness akin to rum or bourbon.
• Taste: The taste is characterized by a dominance of big fruit flavors and sharp booziness with a malty backbone.  There are big notes of tart berry, grape, plum, honey, toffee, brandy, and rum.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with lower carbonation, the mouthfeel of the Marionberry Braggot is tart, thick, sticky, and smooth with a dry finish that has a sharp, boozy bite .
• Notes: The Rogue Farms Marionberry Braggot (pronounced "bragawd) is based on an ancient and rather interesting recipe.  Dating back to the 12th century (or possibly earlier), braggots are made by blending spices and herbs with both mead and beer.  Fruit is often blended into the recipe as well. 

Overall pairing: The Rogue Farms Marionberry Braggot from Rogue Ales is a big, bold, punchy brew... perfect for the might and hard-rockin' stylings of Saxon on their "Rock The Nations" album!  Those big fruit and honey notes are sure to help you rock out all night long with the fast and furious tracks on the album!

Cheers!!  Hails!!