July 11th, 2021 - The Big DIPA Generator

 

"And now for something completely different..."

Good afternoon and happy Sunday!  The Meista here today with another great pairing for you!  Although I'm dyed in the wool metalhead, I absolutely love the band Yes so I'm pairing their 1987 "Big Generator" album and The Big DIPA from Salmon River Brewery!  Woohoo!

Album Info:

• Artist: Yes
• Title: "Big Generator"
• Recorded: 1985 through 1987 at multiple studios in Italy, England, and the U.S.
• Released: September 21st, 1987 (12th studio album by Yes)
• Record company: Atco Records
• Production: Trevor Horn, Trevor Rabin, Paul De Villiers, and Yes
• Album cover art: Garry Mouat at Assorted Images
• Personnel: Jon Anderson (vocals), Tony Kay (Hammond organ and piano), Trevor Rabin (acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards, string arrangements, and vocals), the late, great Chris Squire (bass guitar and vocals), and Alan White (drums, percussion, and backing vocals)
• Additional musicians: Nick Lane (horns on "Almost Like Love"), Greg Smith (horns on "Almost Like Love"), Lee R. Thornburg (horns on "Almost Like Love"), and  Jimmy Zavala (horns on "Almost Like Love" and harmonica on "Love Will Find A Way") 
• Musical style: Power pop, progressive rock
• Sound: Following a similar sound from the previous album "90125", the sound on is poppy, radio-friendly, yet completely engaging and wonderfully produced.  Rabin's guitar work is clean, rich in tone, and passionate.  And those vocal harmonies... perfection!
• Major themes: Love, desire, living beyond war, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "Rhythm Of Love"
2. "Big Generator"
3. "Shoot High Aim Low"
4. "Almost Like Love"
5. "Love Will Find A Way"
6. "Final Eyes"
7. "I'm Running"
8. "Holy Lamb (Song for Harmonic Convergence)"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Salmon River Brewery (McCall, Idaho)
• Website: http://salmonriverbrewery.com/
• Brew: The Big DIPA
• Style: Double India Pale Ale (DIPA) / Imperial IPA (IIPA)
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 8.0%
• IBUs: 100
• Pour: The BIG DIPA pours a cloudy, deep bronze amber with a creamy, off-white, half-finger head with good retention and sudsy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is characterized by complex hoppy, earthy, malt, and floral notes.  There are aromas of grapefruit rind, orange zest, overripe apricot, apple, bitter roots, hearty bread, and burnt toffee.
• Taste: Bold, yet well-balanced, the taste of The Big DIPA is very malty, citrusy, and spicy.  There are notes of barley, toasted multi-grain bread, grapefruit, tangerine, dried apricot, black tea, sweet toffee/caramel.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied and moderately carbonated, the mouthfeel of The Big DIPA is thick and chewy, yet also crisp and smooth with a dry, somewhat bitter finish.

Overall pairing: With it's bold hop flavors The Big DIPA from Salmon River Brewery is perfect for the depth of character, yet bright, poppy, and completely engaging late '80s sound of Yes' "Big Generator"!  Those more biscuity flavors seem to have been specifically blended for the wonderful vocal harmonies and ethereal guitars!

Cheers!!