April 14th, 2018 - A Pocket Full Of Experimental J-Hole Contraband

Good evening!  The Meista here tonight pairing the Velvet Revolver's debut album, "Contraband" and an Experimental J-Hole Red India Pale Ale from Melvin Brewing Company in collaboration with Rhinegeist Brewery!

Album Info:

• Artist: Velvet Revolver
• Title: "Contraband"
• Recorded: August through December 2003 at NRG and Pulse Recording
• Release date: June 8th, 2004 (debut album by Velvet Revolver)
• Record company: RCA Records
• Production: Josh Abraham, Velvet Revolver, and Nick Raskulinecz
• Album cover art: Robin C. Hendrickson (art direction), Brett Kilroe (art direction), and Dan Winters (photography)
• Personnel: Dave Kushner (rhythm guitar), Duff McKagan (bass and backing vocals), Slash (lead guitar and backing vocals), Matt Sorum (drums and backing vocals), and Scott Weiland (lead vocals)
• Musical style: Hard rock, heavy metal, alternative rock, post punk
• Sound: With a little more of a Stone Temple Pilots vibe than a Guns 'N' Roses vibe, "Contraband" is still a straight-forward rockin' monster from start to finish!  The rhythm section of this band really shines, yet Slash's guitar work is fiery as hell, and whatever you may think of the late Scott Weiland, there is no denying he was a charismatic and mesmerizing front man... especially with Velvet Revolver!
• Major themes: Rebellion, aggression, anger, life, relationships, sex, drugs, rock and roll, self-preservation, resilience, marketing, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "Sucker Train Blues"
2. "Do It For The Kids"
3. "Big Machine"
4. "Illegal I Song"
5. "Spectacle"
6. "Fall To Pieces"
7. "Headspace"
8. "Superhuman"
9. "Set Me Free"
10. "You Got No Right"
11. "Slither"
12. "Dirty Little Thing"
13. "Loving The Alien"

    Brew Info:

• Brewery: Melvin Brewing Company (Alpine, Wyoming) in collaboration with Rhinegeist Brewery (Cincinnati, Ohio)
• Website: https://melvinbrewing.com/
• Brew: Experimental J-Hole Red India Pale Ale
• Style: American India Pale Ale (IPA)
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 7.0% 
• Pour: The Experimental J-Hole pours a hazy bronze-red with a light tan, frothy 1-finger head with good retention and lots of soapy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is dank, malty, grainy, earthy, citrusy, and slightly sweet.  There are aromas of pine resin, wet leaves, grapefruit rind, orange peel, lemon zest, sweet biscuit, herbal tea, fresh baked bread, caramel, and a hint of molasses or honey.
• Taste: Similar to the nose, the taste of the Experimental J-Hole is characterized by lots of citrus, malt, and earthy flavors.  There are notes of grapefruit, orange peel, rye bread, burnt toffee, black tea, and bitter herbs.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and moderately carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Experimental J-Hole is creamy and smooth, but with a bit of a bitter punch and a dry, earthy finish.

Overall pairing: The Experimental J-Hole from Melvin Brewing Company in collaboration with Rhinegeist Brewery is an interesting and complex, yet punchy little number... a great beer for a Saturday night of rocking out to Velvet Revolver me thinks!

Cheers!!