February 25th, 2023 - The Sun, It Never Sets Over Maiden Japan

 

Hey there evildoers, headbangers, and craft brew lovers!  The Meista here today pairing the kick-ass, live EP "Maiden Japan" by NWOBHM legends Iron Maiden and a very refreshing, crisp, tasty, and hoppy Sun, It Never Sets English Pale Ale from the fine folks at Fisher Brewing Company!  Hell yeah!

Album Info:

• Artist: Iron Maiden
• Title: "Maiden Japan"
• Recorded: May 23rd, 1981 at Kosei Nenkin Hall in Nagoya, Japan
• Release date: September 14th, 1981 (2nd live EP by Iron Maiden)
• Record company: EMI / Harvest 
• Production: Iron Maiden and Doug Hall
• Album cover art: Derek Riggs
• Personnel: Clive Burr (drums), Paul Di'Anno (lead vocals), Steve Harris (bass and backing vocals), Dave Murray (guitars), and Adrian Smith (guitars and backing vocals)
• Musical style: Heavy metal, NWOBHM
• Sound: In-your-face, no-holds-barred, ass-kicking, classic Iron Maiden right here my friends!!  The band is tight, young, and hungry... this is just such a joy to hear!  
• Major themes: freedom, rebellion, murder, vengeance, etc.
• Tracks:  
1. "Running Free"
2. "Remember Tomorrow"
3. "Wrathchild"
4. "Killers"
5. "Innocent Exile"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Fisher Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: http://www.fisherbeer.com/
• Brew: Sun, It Never Sets English Pale Ale
• Style: English Pale Ale
• Serving: 32 ounce crowler can
• ABV: 5.0%
• Ingredients: Chinook and Mosaic hops, and English yeast
• Pour: The Sun, It Never Sets English Pale Ale pours a murky, deep bronze-amber hue with a billowy and creamy, off-white, 2+ finger head with great sustain and lots and lots of sudsy, sticky, and layered lacing.
• Nose: The nose is characterized by earthy, citrus, floral and herbal hops, and more subtle sweeter malts.  There are aromas of juniper, pine resin, toasted barley, grapefruit rind, tangerine, wildflowers, a hint of wild onion, and sweet caramel.
• Taste: The taste of the Sun, It Never Sets English Pale Ale follows the nose with lots of citrus, earthy, and herbal flavors along with more subtle sweet malts.  There are notes of pine, juniper berries, grapefruit, tangerine, orange pith, black tea, pine, crackery biscuit, and soft caramel.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is crisp with a dry, slightly bitter finish.

Overall pairing: With its punchy and hoppy flavors, the Sun, It Never Sets English Pale Ale from Fisher Brewing is the perfect brew to accompany the classic, hard-hitting live NWOBHM onslaught that is the mighty Iron Maiden!  'Nuff said!  

Kanpai, cheers, and hails headbangers!!  Up the Irons!!