November 3rd, 2020 - Zwickeled Pink Bubbles Going Ape?!

 

Guten abend!  Escape all the political posts with a metal and beer pairing!  The Meista here tonight pairing "Pink Bubbles Go Ape", the rather oddly titled album by German power metallers Helloween and a Zwickeled Pink German-Style Lager from Proper Brewing Company!  It took me long enough (too long) to get a pairing put together for the very tasty Zwickeled Pink... it was released back in May.  My apologies to Proper and the Pink Boots Society! 

Album Info: 

• Artist: Helloween
• Title: "Pink Bubbles Go Ape"
• Recorded: 1991 at PUK-Studios in Gjerlev, Denmark and Sound House Studio in Hamburg, Germany 
• Release date: May 21st, 1991 (4th studio album by Helloween)
• Record company: EMI 
• Production: Chris "Mega Straf" Tsangarides 
• Album cover art: Storm Thorgerson 
• Personnel: Roland Grapow (guitars), Markus Grosskopf (bass), Michael Kiske (vocals and guitars), Ingo Schwichtenberg (drums), and Michael Weikath (guitars)
• Guest musician: Jörn Ellerbrock (keyboards), Peter Iversen (keyboards), and Phil Nicholas (keyboards) 
• Musical style: Heavy metal, power metal, speed metal, hard rock
• Sound: Upbeat, fast-paced, and wonderfully melodic, "Pink Bubbles Go Ape" was not received well by critics and fans alike when it was originally released, but I find it quite entertaining with some really amazing guitar work, that signature Helloween speed metal punch, and it is always a joy to listen to Kiske's amazing vocal acrobatics... even if the lyrics are sometimes a bit silly!
• Major themes: Criticism of humanity, environmentalism, life, happiness, humor, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "Pink Bubbles Go Ape"
2. "Kids Of The Century"
3. "Back On The Streets"
4. "Number One"
5. "Heavy Metal Hamsters"
6. "Goin' Home"
7. "Someone's Crying"
8. "Mankind"
9. "I'm Doin' Fine, Crazy Man"
10. "The Chance"
11. "Your Turn"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Proper Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: http://www.properbrewingco.com//
• Brew: Zwickeled Pink German-Style Lager
• Style: Zwickelbier / Kellerbier / Pilsner
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 5.0%
• IBUs: 25
•  Ingredients: 2020 Pink Boots Society hops
• Pour: The Zwickeled Pink pours a clear, pale straw-yellow hue with a frothy, bright white, half-finger head with good sustain and lacing.
• Nose: The nose is grassy, crackery, grainy, and slightly sweet.  There are aromas of crisp Pilsner malt, crackery biscuit, grassy hops, fresh hay, lemon zest, light tropical fruit, and soft pine resin.
• Taste: The taste of the Zwickeled Pink follows the nose with tropical, floral, grassy, and piney flavors.  There are notes of crackery biscuit, grassy hops, mango, light mango, lemon zest, light caramel, light pine, and hints of white pepper.
• Mouthfeel: Light-bodied and well carbonated, the mouthfeel is very crisp and refreshing and very smooth with a dry, clean finish.

Overall pairing: The Zwickeled Pink German-Style Lager from the Proper Brewing Pink Boots ladies is light, crisp and very refreshing brew... perfect for tossing back while rocking out to the fun, fast-paced and humorous insanity that is Helloween!  Learn more about the Pink Boots Society at https://www.pinkbootssociety.org/.  

Prost and hails!!