September 16th, 2017 - A Pale And Sour Dark Star

Hello!  The Meista here today pairing the self-title debut album by NWOBHM band Dark Star and a Pale Sour Ale from Brewery Ommegang!

Album Info:

• Artist: Dark Star
• Title: "Dark Star" (2013 Remastered Edition)
• Recorded: January through February 1981
• Release date: 1981 (1st album by Dark Star)
• Record company: Avatar Records & Screenworks Ltd.  (2013 Reissue by Rock Candy Records)
• Production: Pete Chalcraft, Mike Kemp, and Dark Star
• Album cover art: Linda Curry
• Personnel: Steve Atkins (drums, percussion, and backing vocals), Dave Harrison (guitars and backing vocals), Bob Key (guitars and backing vocals), Mark Oseland (bass and backing vocals), and Rik Staines (keyboards and lead vocals)
• Additional musicians: Chris Causton (bass on "Lady Of Mars")
• Musical style: Heavy metal, hard rock
• Sound: Melodic, fast-paced, rockin', and fun as hell, the sound on Dark Star's debut album is straightforward hard rockin' classic NWOBHM with a sound somewhat reminiscent to Thin Lizzy!
• Major themes: Heroism, murder, love, rock and roll, fast girls, lust, rebellion, etc. 
• Tracks:   

1. "Kaptain America"
2. "Backstreet Killer"
3. "The Musician"
4. "Lady Of Mars"
5. "Louisa"
6. "Rockbringer"
7. "Lady Love"
8. "Green Peace"
9. "Die Tryin'" (bonus track)
10. "Carry On" (bonus track)
11. "Rock N' Romancin'" (bonus track B-side)
12. "Stars Like Dust" (bonus track)
13. "Crazy Circles" (bonus track)
14. "Renegade" (bonus track)
15. "Screaming" (live bonus track)

    Brew Info:

• Brewery: Brewery Ommegang (Cooperstown, New York)
• Website: http://ommegang.com/
• Brew: Pale Sour Ale
• Style: Belgian Pale Ale
• Serving: 12 ounce bottle
• ABV: 6.9% 
• Pour: The Pale Sour Ale pours a hazy light yellow hue with a frothy, 1-finger, bright white head with good sustain and sudsy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is fruity, tart, grainy, and herbal.   There are aromas of pear, apple, lemon, white grape, light banana, and a hint of funk.
• Taste: The taste of the Ommegang Pale Sour Ale is sweet, tart, fruity, and a little funky with some more subtle herbal and grassy hop notes.  There are flavors of apple, pear, lemon zest, champagne, light cereal grain, light crackery biscuit, and light spices.
• Mouthfeel: Light to medium in body and well-carbonated, the mouthfeel is very crisp, tart, and dry with a clean finish. 

Overall pairing:  The punchy, tart, and very drinkable character of Ommegang's Pale Sour Ale is a great beer to rock out to the straight-forward and very underrated heavy duty sound of NWOBHM band Dark Star!

Cheers and hails!!