June 12th, 2024 - Take Me Home on the Millennial Falcon

 

Hey there rockers, proggers, and hop freaks!  Happy Wednesday!  Your drinking pal the Meista here with another great pairing for you... "Take Me Home", the wonderfully complex and melodic, sophomore album by For All We Know and a punchy and bold Millennial Falcon West Coast IPA from Mason Ale Works!  Yes!

Album Info:

• Artist: For All We Know
• Title: "Take Me Home"
• Recorded: 2017 at Sandlane Recording Facilities in Rijen, The Netherlands, DC Studio in Tilburg, The Netherlands, Park View Audio in Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands, New Joke Studios in Nieuwegein, The Netherlands, Basement, Dynamo in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, and The Aguarium in De Rips, The Netherlands
• Release date: September 8th, 2017 (2nd studio album by For All We Know)
• Record company: Construction Records
• Production: Ruud Jolie
• Album cover art: Ana Correa
• Personnel: Kristoffer Gildenlöw (bass guitar), Ruud Jolie (guitars, additional keyboards, programming, and drums), Marco Kuypers (piano, Rhodes, and Wurlitzer), Léo Margarit (drums), Thijs Schrijnemakers (Hammond organ), and Wudstik (lead vocals)
• Guest musician: Lisette van den Berg (backing vocals), Anneke van Giersbergen (vocals on "We Are The Light"), Jenny Haapimaa (additional drums on "Breathe: In"), the Metal Factory Choir (backing vocals on "Breathe: In" and "We Are The Light") 
• Musical style: Progressive rock/metal with elements of jazz fusion, rock, and pop
• Sound: Atmospheric, emotive, complex, melodic, and totally engrossing, the sound on "Take Me Home" blends multiple styles  
• Major themes: Life, relationships, freedom, introspection, depth, harmony, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Breathe: In"
2. "Take Me Home"
3. "Fade Away"
4. "They'll Win"
5. "Let Me Fly"
6. "The Big Wheel"
7. "Breathe: Hold"
8. "Colours"
9. "We Are The Light"
10. "Some Will..."
11. "Prophets In Disguise"
12. "Breathe: Out"
13. "We Are The Light" (alternative version)

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Mason Ale Works (San Diego, California)
• Website: https://masonaleworks.squarespace.com/
• Brew: Millennial Falcon West Coast IPA 
• Style: West Coast India Pale Ale (IPA)
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 7.0%
• Ingredients: Citra and Mosaic hops 
• Pour: The Millennial Falcon IPA pours a fairly clear, golden orange amber with a half finger, eggshell white head with good retention and lots of sticky, layered lacing.
• Nose: The nose is characterized by aromas of citrus, pine, herbal zest, and malts.  There are notes of grapefruit rind, orange and tangerine zest, light mango, herbal tea, pine resin, and sweet caramel/toffee.
• Taste: The Millennial Falcone IPA is full of bold, hoppy, and earthy flavors.  There are notes of grapefruit juice, tangerine, orange peel, mango, pine, black tea, wild herbs, and burnt toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is crisp, yet smooth, thick, and somewhat creamy with a dry, bitter finish.

Overall pairing:  The punchy, fruity, and refreshing flavors of the Millennial Falcon West Coast IPA from Mason Ale Works is an excellent beer to accompany the brilliance that is For All We Know's "Take Me Home"! I also paired the album with this specific beer because like me, Ruud Jolie is a massive fan of the original Star Wars films!  'Nuff said!

Make sure to check out my interview with Ruud Jolie here: https://youtu.be/qbD4PE3vvs4

Proost!!