September 15th, 2017 - Mikey's Misplaced Childhood

Good evening and happy Friday!  Here's a pairing dedicated to my friend Mikey of Utah Beer Blog fame and my friend Nick of awesomeness fame!  Cheers fellas!!  Your pal, the Meista here tonight pairing the classic "Misplaced Childhood" by prog-rockers Marillion and a delicious Mikey's Citra IPL from 2 Row Brewing!

Album Info:

• Artist: Marillion
• Title: "Misplaced Childhood"
• Recorded: March through May 1985 at Hansa Ton Studios in Berlin, Germany
• Release date: June 17th, 1985 (3rd album by Marillion)
• Record company: EMI Records
• Production: Chris Kimsey
• Album cover art: Mark Wilkinson
• Personnel: Fish (vocals), Mark Kelly (keyboards), Ian Mosley (drums and percussion), Steve Rothery (guitars), and Pete Trewavas (bass)
• Musical style: Neo-progressive rock, power pop
• Sound: Heavily influenced by Peter Gabriel era Genesis and early Yes, Marillion's sound on "Misplaced Childhood" acts almost as a bridge between '70s progressive rock, post punk, and pop.  It is emotional, melodic, dark, yet uplifting, and very complex... in a word, brilliant!
• Major themes: Originally conceived during a 10-hour acid trip, "Misplaced Childhood" is a concept album that examines the breakdown of relationships and lost love, childhood innocence, failure, success, fading youth, sorrow, hope, etc. 
• Tracks:   

1. "Pseudo Silk Kimono"
2. "Kayleigh"
3. "Lavender"
4. "Bitter Suite"
5. "Heart of Lothian"
6. "Waterhole (Expresso Bongo)"
7. "Lords Of The Backstage"
8. "Blind Curve"
9. "Childhoods End?"
10. "White Feather"

    Brew Info:

• Brewery: 2 Row Brewing(Midvale, Utah)
• Website: http://2rowbrewing.com/
• Brew: Mikey's Citra IPL
• Style: American Pale Lager (APL) / India Pale Lager (IPL)
• Serving: 12 ounce bottle
• ABV: 5.5% 
• Pour: The Mikey's Citra pours a clear, golden-yellow with lots of effervescence and a half-finger bright white head with good sustain and lacing.
• Nose: The nose is a wonderful medley of citrusy and grassy hops, and crackery malt.  There are aromas of grapefruit rind, lemon zest, tangerine, light mango, summer grass, lemongrass, light biscuit, and a hint of caramel.
• Taste: The taste of the Mikey's Citra is very fruity, citrusy, grassy, and lightly malty.  There are notes of pink grapefruit, tangerine, lemon zest, light pineapple, grassy hops, crackery biscuit, light caramel, and a hint of white pepper.
• Mouthfeel: Light-medium in body with lots of carbonation, the Mikey's Citra is very crisp, refreshing, and slightly peppery with a dry, clean finish. 

Overall pairing:  The complex, yet very bright flavors and aromas of 2 Row's fantastic Mikey's Citra IPL is perfect for the depth, honesty, and beauty of Marillion's legendary and perfect album "Misplaced Childhood"!  Those citrusy hop notes are perfect for the unique vocals of Fish, while the malty backbone highlights the power and integrity of the musicianship!

Cheers!!