September 7th, 2020 - An IPA For Eddie

 

Hey there evildoers, headbangers, and craft brew lovers!  Happy Labor Day!!  The Meista here today pairing the kick-ass, self-title debut album by NWOBHM legends Iron Maiden and a very tasty Fisher IPA from Fisher Brewing Company!  Hell yeah!

Album Info:

• Artist: Iron Maiden
• Title: "Iron Maiden"
• Recorded: 1980 at Kingsway Studios in London, England
• Release date: April 14th, 1980 (1st full-length studio album by Iron Maiden)
• Record company: EMI 
• Production: Will Malone
• Album cover art: Derek Riggs
• Personnel: Clive Burr (drums), Paul Di'Anno (lead vocals), Steve Harris (bass and backing vocals), Dave Murray (guitars), and Dennis Stratton (guitars and backing vocals)
• Musical style: Heavy metal, NWOBHM
• Sound: Geez, what can you say about Maiden's sound on their fist album that already hasn't been written about countless times over the years?  Simply put, it is revolutionary, it is raw, it is definitive, it is brilliant!!   
• Major themes: With songs about crime, horror films, torture devices, and prostitution, themes on the album include, freedom, rebellion, aggression, evil, sorrow, lust, death, etc.
• Tracks:  
1. "Prowler"
2. "Sanctuary"
3. "Remember Tomorrow"
4. "Running Free"
5. "Phantom Of The Opera"
6. "Transylvania"
7. "Strange World"
8. "Charlotte The Harlot"
9. "Iron Maiden"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Fisher Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: 
• Brew: Fisher IPA
• Style: American India Pale Ale (IPA)
• Serving: 32 ounce crowler can
• ABV: 7.0% 
• Ingredients: Citra and Simcoe hops
• Pour: The Fisher IPA pours a very murky caramel-amber with frothy and billowy, 2-finger off-white head with great retention and lots of sticky, intricate lacing.
• Nose: The nose is citrusy, fruity, floral, herbal, and slightly sweet.  There are aromas of grapefruit rind, orange zest, tangerine, mango, pineapple, wild flowers, a hint of pine resin, crackery grains, and soft caramel.
• Taste: The taste of the Fisher IPA follows the nose with big notes of orange juice, pink grapefruit juice, tangerine, pineapple, mango, a hint of pine, white pepper, and toffee/caramel.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied and moderately carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Fisher IPA is very crisp, yet smooth with a dry, slightly bitter finish.

Overall pairing: The Fisher IPA is very crushable, yet a very punchy, complex, and flavorful brew ... a perfect brew to accompany the classic metal onslaught that is the mighty Iron Maiden!  'Nuff said!  

Cheers and hails headbangers!!  Up the Irons!!