April 7th, 2019 - Vapor Trails And Vapor Ringz

Good afternoon and happy Sunday! The Meista here today with a very special pairing for you... the amazing "Vapor Trails" by Rush and a Vapor Ringz Imperial Oat Cream India Pale Ale from Other Half Brewing Company!  This pairing goes out to my buddy Josh... thank you for the amazing beer, pairing idea, inspiration, and continued support my friend!! Cheers Mr. Sparrow!!

 

Album Info:

• Artist: Rush
• Title: "Vapor Trails"
• Recorded: January through November 2001 at Reaction Studios in Toronto, Canada
• Release date: May 14th, 2002 (17th studio album by Rush)
• Record company: Anthem Records
• Production: Rush and Paul Northfield
• Album cover art: Hugh Syme
• Personnel: Geddy Lee (lead vocals and bass guitar), Alex Lifeson (electric and acoustic guitars and mandola), and Neil Peart (drums and percussion)
• Musical style: Progressive rock/metal, hard rock, alternative rock/metal
• Sound: Louder, more aggressive, more angry than previous works, with "Vapor Trails", Rush stepped into the new millennium with a focused, precise, and determined sonic approach.  The soaring keyboards of the 1980s and 1990s are gone.  Instead, we find layered guitars, intricate and experimental drum patterns, thunderous bass, and Geddy's unique and wonderful vocals!  Of the album's direction, Peart stated: "We laid out no parameters, no goals, no limitations, only that we would take a relaxed, civilized approach."
• Major themes: Subject matter and themes on the album include the September 11th terrorist attacks in the U.S., loss, life and death, pain, emotional healing, remorse, determination, hope, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "One Little Victory"
2. "Ceiling Unlimited"
3. "Ghost Rider"
4. "Peaceable Kingdom"
5. "The Stars Look Down"
6. "How Is It"
7. "Vapor Trails"
8. "Secret Touch"
9. "Earthshine"
10. "Sweet Miracle"
11. "Nocturne"
12. "Freeze (Part IV Of Fear)"
13. "Out Of The Cradle"

    Brew Info:

• Brewery: Other Half Brewing Company (Brooklyn, New York)
• Website: https://otherhalfbrewing.com/
• Brew: Vapor Ringz Imperial Oat Cream India Pale Ale
• Style: Imperial India Pale Ale (IIPA) / Double IPA (DIPA)
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 8.4%
• Ingredients: Citra, Galaxy, and Nelson Sauvin hops with oats, raw wheat, and lactose.
• Pour: The Vapor Ringz pours the color of freshly squeezed orange juice... an opaque golden-yellow hue with a 1+ finger, bright white head with good retention and lots of sticky, layered, soapy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is characterized by citrus, tropical fruit, stone fruit, and dank and musky fruits and earthiness.  There are aromas of grapefruit, orange juice, pineapple, lemon meringue, fresh peach, apricot, a hint of anise, light honey, overripe berries, canabis, and mellow maltiness.
• Taste: The taste of the Vapor Ringz follows the nose with lots of citrus, tropical fruit, stone fruit, vegetal dankness, .  There are notes of pineapple, grapefruit, lemon, light cream, a hint of black licorice, and pink bubble gum.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is crisp, punchy, and refreshing, yet creamy with a dry and slightly bitter finish. 

Overall pairing: Apart from the obvious name similarities, the crisp, dank, complex, and fruity hop-forward, yet very drinkable flavors of the Vapor Ringz are perfect for the electrifying, intricate, and angry melodies, harmonies, and subject matter found on Rush's wonderful and very underrated "Vapor Trails" album!

Cheers!!