March 28th, 2023 - Houses Of The Holy Coyote

 

Hello and happy Tuesday rockers, rollers, and hopheads!  Your pal the Meista here today pairing the brilliant "House Of The Holy" on its 50th anniversary by giants of the hard rock world, Led Zeppelin and a very tasty and punchy Holy Coyote Juniper Pale Ale from the fine folks at Fisher Brewing Company!  Hell yeah!! 

Album Info:

• Artist: Led Zeppelin
• Title: "Houses Of The Holy"
• Recorded: January through August 1972 at Stargroves and Headley Grange with the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio, and Island Studios, London; Mixed at Olympic Studios, London, and Electric Lady Studios, New York
• Release date: March 28th, 1973 (5th studio album by Led Zeppelin)
• Record company: Atlantic Records
• Production: Jimmy Page
• Album cover art: Hipgnosis/Aubrey Powell
• Personnel: John Henry Bonham "Bonzo" (drums and backing vocals), John Paul Jones (bass, mellotron, keyboards, synthesiser bass, and backing vocals), Jimmy Page (acoustic, electric and pedal steel guitars, theremin on "No Quarter", and production), and Robert Plant (lead vocals)
• Musical style: Hard rock / heavy blues rock with elements of progressive rock, reggae, funk, and folk rock
• Sound: With a more "mature" and upbeat sound, "Houses Of The Holy" found Led Zeppelin with more layered sound, a more progressive and experimental approach to songwriting.  It also incorporated more keyboards and mellotron than previous albums.  But make no mistake, "Houses Of The Holy" still rocks and rocks hard!
• Major themes: Mysticism and fantasy, "being houses of the Holy Spirit, in a sense", nostalgia, love, loss, and even a funk tribute to James Brown!
• Notes: "Houses Of The Holy" was the first Led Zeppelin album to consist of songs composed entirely by the band. 
• Tracks: 

1. "The Song Remains The Same"
2. "The Rain Song"
3. "Over The Hills And Far Away"
4. "The Crunge"
5. "Dancing Days"
6. "D'Yer Maker"
7. "No Quarter"
8. "The Ocean"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Fisher Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: http://www.fisherbeer.com/
• Brew: Holy Coyote Juniper Pale Ale
• Style: American Pale Ale (APA)
• Serving: 32 ounce crowler can
• ABV: 5.0%
• Pour: The Holy Coyote Juniper 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 Holy Coyote 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: Although I'm not sure any brew can truly do this album justice, the Fisher Brewing Company's Holy Coyote Juniper Pale Ale does a pretty fine job of accompanying the swinging groove, the multilayered depth, and sheer brilliance of "Houses Of The Holy"!  'Nuff said!

Cheers!!  Rock on!!