April 20th, 2023 - Smokin' That Party Grass On 4/20

 

Good evening rockers, rollers, and hopheads!  Happy 4/20!  Your pal the Meista here tonight with another great pairing for ya!  This one is with one of my favorite all-time rock albums, Humble Pie's phenomenal "Smokin'" with crisp and hoppy Party Grass Pale Ale from the fine folks at Fisher Brewing Company! 

Album Info:

• Artist: Humble Pie
• Title: "Smokin'"
• Recorded: February 1972 at Olympic Studios in Barnes, London
• Release date: March 1972 (5th studio album by Humble Pie"
• Record company: A&M
• Production: Steve Marriott and the Pie
• Album cover art: Kosh
• Personnel: Clem Clempson (guitars, keyboards, and vocals), Steve Marriott (vocals, guitars, harp, and keyboards), Greg Ridley (bass and vocals), and Jerry Shirley (drums and keyboards)
• Additional musicians: Madeline Bell (backing vocals), Alexis Korner (vocals and mandolin-type Martin Tipple guitar), Doris Troy  (backing vocals), and Stephen Stills (Hammond organ and backing vocals)
• Musical style: Blues rock, boogie rock, and hard rock with elements of soul, gospel, and R&B
• Sound: Steeped in old-fashioned rock and roll, blues, and soul, but with a heavier and raunchier edge, Humble Pie's "Smokin'" is one of those seminal early '70s rock album... it may be THE seminal early '70s rock album for that matter!  Every song on this album is perfection... it draws you in.  But for me, "30 Days In The Hole" is IT!!  It has it all, soul, gospel, blues, girls, sex, booze, and drug and a hard rockin' punch that cannot be beat!
• Major themes: Rock and roll, love and lust, sex, loss, and fast living.
• Notes: "Smokin'" was the first Humble Pie album following the departure of guitarist Peter Frampton.  It is also their best-selling album.
• Tracks: 

1. "Hot 'N' Nasty"
2. "The Fixer"
3. "You're So Good To Me"
4. "C'mon Everybody"
5. "Old Time Feelin'"
6. "30 Days In The Hole"
7. "(I'm A) Road Runner/Road Runners 'G' Jam"
8. "I Wonder"
9. "Sweet Peace And Time"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Fisher Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: http://www.fisherbeer.com/
• Brew: Party Grass Pale Ale
• Style: American Pale Ale (APA)
• Serving: 32 ounce crowler can
• ABV: 5.0%
• IBUs: 35
• Pour: The Party Grass Pale Ale pours a fairly clear, golden-amber hue with a billowy and creamy, eggshell white, 2+ finger head with great sustain and lots of sudsy, sticky, and layered lacing.
• Nose: The nose is characterized by citrusy, fruity, floral and herbal hops, and more subtle sweeter malts.  There are aromas of grapefruit rind, tangerine, orange zest, mango, pineapple, wildflowers, doughy bread, and sweet caramel.
• Taste: The taste of the Party Grass Pale Ale follows the nose with lots of citrusy, fruity, and herbal flavors along with more subtle sweet malts.  There are notes of grapefruit, tangerine, orange pith, mango, pineapple, crackery biscuit, and soft caramel/toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is crisp and juicy with a dry, slightly sweet finish.

Overall pairing: The easy drinking crisp and hoppy smoothness of the Fisher Party Grass Pale Ale goes great with the soulful groove of Humble Pie's "Smokin'" while the slightly bitter hops bring out the raunchy harder edge of the band's execution and Marriott's vocal prowess.

Cheers!!  Rock on!!