October 5th, 2017 - A GFB For A GTR

Good evening! The Meista here tonight pairing the self-title debut album by GTR and a GFB Blonde Ale from Green Flash Brewing Company!
 
Album Info:

• Artist: GTR
• Title: "GTR"
• Recorded: 1985 through 1986 at The Townhouse in London, England
• Release date: July 1986 (1st and only album by GTR)
• Record company: Arista Records
• Production: Geoff Downes
• Album cover art: Ian Miller
• Personnel: Max Bacon (lead vocals), Steve Hackett (acoustic and electric guitars, guitar synthesizer, vocals, and chorus), Steve Howe (acoustic and electric guitars, guitar synthesizer, vocals, and chorus), Jonathan Mover (drums and percussion), and Phil Spalding (bass guitar, vocals, and chorus)
• Musical style: Hard rock, power pop, progressive rock, AOR
• Sound: Blending big '80s AOR, later era Genesis/Yes progressive rock and pop sensibility, GTR's only album may be a bit dated, but it still packs a rock and roll punch!  And the combined amazing and stunning guitar work by Hackett and Howe is worth every penny... twice!!
• Major themes: Relationships, love, loss, hope, perseverance, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "When The Heart Rules The Mind"
2. "The Hunter"
3. "Here I Wait"
4. "Sketches In The Sun"
5. "Jekyll And Hyde"
6. "You Can Still Get Through"
7. "Reach Out (Never Say No)"
8. "Toe The Line"
9. "Hackett To Bits"
10. "Imagining"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Green Flash Brewing Company (San Diego, California)
• Website: http://www.greenflashbrew.com/
• Brew: GFB Blonde Ale
• Style: American Blonde Ale
• Serving: 12 ounce bottle
• ABV: 4.8%
• Pour: The GFB pours a clear, bubbly golden-amber with a thin, bright white head with good sustain and trace, soapy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is a very subtle blend of fruity, grainy, and malty aromas.  There are faint notes of Corn Flakes, honey, apple, orange peel, bready dough, and a hint of spices.
• Taste: The taste follows the nose.  There are flavors of crisp apple, clover honey, orange peel, crackery biscuit, and a dash of black pepper.
• Mouthfeel: Light-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is very crisp, light, and refreshing with a clean, slightly peppery finish.

Overall pairing: The crisp, clean, and refreshing flavors of Green Flash's GFB are perfect for the rock and roll sensibility and very accessible, yet wonderfully crafted musical journey found on the sole album by GTR!

Cheers!!  Rock on!!