September 7th, 2019 - Wheels Of Steel Under The Guns Of Brixton

Hello and happy Saturday my friends!  The Meista here today with a pairing of a deliciously smooth Guns Of Brixton Dark English Ale, a new beer from Roosters Brewing and the classic, kickass "Wheels Of Steel" by the mighty Saxon!

Album Info:

• Artist: Saxon
• Title: "Wheels Of Steel"
• Recorded: February 1980 at Ramport Studios in London, England
• Release date: May 5th, 1980 (2nd studio album by Saxon)
• Record company: Carrere Records
• Production: Pete Hinton and Saxon
• Album cover art: ? 
• Personnel: Biff Byford (vocals), Steve Dawson (bass guitar), Pete Gill (drums), Graham Oliver (guitars), and Paul Quinn (guitars)
• Musical style: Heavy metal, hard rock, proto-speed metal
• Sound: Not only an essential Saxon album, but an essential NWOBHM album... actually an essential metal album!  "Wheels Of Steel" is solid, heavy-duty, straight-forward rock and roll!  It is dramatic, fiery, fast-paced, rhythmic, and wonderfully engaging!
• Major themes: Motorcycles, biker culture, speed, power, an emergency landing, fear, aggression, life in the fast lane, rock and roll, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "Motorcycle Man"
2. "Stand Up And Be Counted"
3. "747 (Strangers In The Night)"
4. "Wheels Of Steel"
5. "Freeway Mad"
6. "See The Light Shining"
7. "Street Fighting Gang"
8. "Suzie Hold On"
9. "Machine Gun"

    Brew Info:

• Brewery: Roosters Brewing Company (Ogden, Utah)
• Website: https://www.roostersbrewingco.com/
• Brew: Guns Of Brixton Dark English Ale
• Style: Dark English Ale
• Serving: 32 ounce crowler can
• ABV: 4.0%
• Pour: The Guns Of Brixton pours a deep, dark brown (almost ink black) with a creamy, off-white 1-finger heard with good retention and light soapy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is very malty with nuttiness, sweetness, and light hops and smokiness on the back end.  There are big aromas of sweet toffee, dark roasted malts, hearty baked bread, hazelnut, and cocoa, with lighter aroms of coffee, earthy hops, and a little liquid smoke.
• Taste: The taste of the Guns Of Brixton follows the nose with malty, nutty, sweet, and hearty flavors.  There are notes of sweet caramel/toffee, cocoa, multigrain bread, light coffee, hazelnut, walnut, light hops, and a little smokiness.   
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied, low in bitterness, and moderately carbonated, the mouthfeel is very smooth, with a finish.

Overall pairing: The Guns Of Brixton from the fine folks at Roosters Brewing is a smooth, tasty, and attention-demanding brew with lots of great flavors and aromas... perfect for the metal might and brilliance of Saxon's quintessential "Wheels Of Steel"!  'Nuff said!

Cheers!!  Hails!!