June 7th, 2019 - Pucker Up 'Cause This Kiss Is Hotter Than Hell!

Hello and happy Friday rockers and craft brew lovers!  Today, your buddy, the Meista is pairing "Hotter Than Hell", the classic sophomore album by Kiss with a tart and tasty Pucker Time Sour Ale from Utah's newest brewery, UTOG Brewing Company!  Hells yeah!

Album Info:

• Artist: Kiss
• Title: "Hotter Than Hell"
• Recorded: August 1974 at The Village Recorder Studios in Los Angeles, California
• Release date: October 22nd, 1974 (2nd studio album by Kiss)
• Record company: Casablanca Records
• Production: Kenny Kerner and Ritchie Wise
• Album cover art: John Van Hamersveld (design and art direction) and Norman Seeff (photography and art direction)
• Personnel: Peter Criss (drums, percussion, and vocals), Ace Frehley (lead guitar, bass guitar on "Parasite", and backing vocals), Gene Simmons (bass guitar and vocals), and Paul Stanley (rhythm guitar and vocals) 
• Musical style: Hard rock, glam rock
• Sound: A bit darker than their first album due to murkier production and lyrical content, "Hotter Than Hell" has an almost garage rock sound, but with overdubs.  Despite the lower quality production value, I would argue this is one of their better albums; it is straight-forward, hungry rock and roll!    
• Major themes: Love, lust, sex, rock and roll, desire, doomed romance, loss, aging, living life, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "Got To Choose"
2. "Parasite"
3. "Goin' Blind"
4. "Hotter Than Hell"
5. "Let Me Go, Rock 'N' Roll"
6. "All The Way"
7. "Watchin' You"
8. "Mainline"
9. "Comin' Home"
10. "Strange Ways"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: UTOG Brewing Company (Ogden, Utah)
• Website: https://www.utogbrewing.com/
• Brew: Pucker Time Sour Ale
• Style: Sour Ale
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 4.0%
• Pour: The Pucker Time pours a hazy golden-yellow with a bright white, 1+ finger, frothy head with great retention and intricate, sticky lacing.
• Nose: The nose is citrusy, fruity, floral, grainy, and tart.  There are aromas of lemon juice, tart cherry juice, wild flowers, sourdough bread, a touch of honey, and crackery biscuit.
• Taste: The taste of the Pucker Time follows the nose with well-balanced flavors of tart fruit and bready malts.  There are notes of lemon juice and zest, lime, tangerine, cherry, sourdough bread, and a hint of honey and caramel.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the Pucker Time is crisp, smooth, refreshing, and tart with a clean finish.

Overall pairing: The UTOG Pucker Time is a , crushable, flavorful brew... pefect for the rockin' grooves of Kiss!  Those punchy, tart flavors go great with rock and roll punch of "Hotter Than Hell"!  'Nuff said!

Cheers!!  Rock on!!