August 8th, 2022 - Well, Hop Diggity! It's Roxy Music!

Happy Monday ravers!  The Meista here today pairing Roxy Music's brilliant, classic, self-titled debut album with a tasty Hop Diggity Double India Pale Ale from Mother Earth Brewing Company!

Album Info:

• Artist: Roxy Music
• Title: "Roxy Music"
• Recorded: March 14th through March 29th, 1972 at Command Studios in London, England
• Release date: June 16th, 1972 (1st studio album by Roxy Music)
• Record company: Island / Reprise
• Production: Peter Sinfield
• Album cover art: Karl Stoecker (photography)
• Personnel: Brian Eno (VCS3 synthesizer, tape effects, and backing vocals), Bryan Ferry (lead vocals, piano, Hohner Pianet, and Mellotron), Andy Mackay (oboe, saxophone, and backing vocals), Phil Manzanera (guitars), Graham Simpson (bass guitar), and Paul Thompson (drums)
• Musical style: Glam rock/art rock with elements of blues, R&B, Cabaret, pop, classical, and jazz
• Sound: Musically precise and well-produced, yet emotionally raw, the sound on "Roxy Music" is a testament to the band's incredible talent and inventiveness.  It is incredibly unique and wholly encompassing.  Of the album, Andy Mackay stated: "we certainly didn't invent eclecticism, but we did say and prove that rock 'n' roll could accommodate – well, anything really."
• Major themes: Themes on the album include love, lust, film, relationships, life, a tribute to Humphrey Bogart, sorrow, etc.
• Tracks:  

1. "Re-Make/Re-Model"
2. "Ladytron"
3. "If There Is Something"
4. "2HB"
5. "The Bob (Medley)"
6. "Chance Meeting"
7. "Would You Believe?"
8. "Sea Breezes"
9. "Bitters End"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Mother Earth Brew Company (Vista, California)
• Website: http://motherearthbrewco.com/
• Brew: Hop Diggity Double India Pale Ale
• Style: Double India Pale Ale (DIPA) / Imperial IPA (IIPA)
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV:8.2 %
• IBUs: 100 
• Pour: The Hop Diggity pours a hazy bronze-amber hue with a half-finger, off-white head with great retention and delicate lacing.
• Nose: The nose is floral, earthy, dank, fruity, and malty.  It is chalk full of notes of light pine resin, wildflowers, pineapple, mango, grapefruit rind, herbal tea, soft caramel malt, and a hint of booze.
• Taste: The taste of the Hop Diggity follows the nose with bold floral hops, citrus, pine, and sweet malt flavors.  There are big notes of grapefruit, tangerine, pineapple, herbal tea, and a little booze with a strong malty backbone.
• Mouthfeel: Full-bodied with lower carbonation, the mouthfeel of the Hop Diggity is crisp and juicy, yet thick, oily, sticky, and resinous with a dry, slightly sweet finish. 

Overall pairing: The crisp, drinkable, yet robust and well-balanced flavors of the Hop Diggity from Mother Earth Brewing Company work wonderfully well with the crooning vocals of Ferry and the brilliant musicianship of the entire band!  The sweeter flavors and aromas are great for songs like "If There Is Something" and "Would You Believe?", while the hoppier and crisper flavors mingle well with Manzanera's guitars and Mackay sax, especially on songs like "Re-Make/Re-Model" and "Ladytron"!

Cheers!!