July 27th, 2024 - A Double Dose of West Coast Goodness!

 

Hey there rockers, rollers, headbangers, and hopheads!  Happy Saturday!  Your drinkin' pal the Meista here today pairing a bold and hoppy Double West Coast Style IPA from Upslope Brewing Company and the self-titled, debut album by the mighty Babylon A.D.!  Hell yeah!

Album Info: 

• Artist: Babylon A.D.
• Title: "Babylon A.D."
• Recorded: 1989 at Ocean Way Studios, Cherokee Studios, and Summa Recorders in Los Angeles, California, TMF Studios in New York City, New York, and Rumbo Recorders in Canoga Park, California
• Original release date: September 1989 (1st studio album by Babylon A.D.)
• Record company: Arista Records
• Production: Simon Hanhart
• Album cover art: Hugh Syme (art direction)
• Personnel: Derek Davis (lead vocals), Dan De La Rosa (guitars), Ron Freschi (guitars and backing vocals), Jamey Pacheco (drums), and Robb Reid (bass and backing vocals)
• Additional musicians: Sam Kinison (spoken word on "The Kid Goes Wild"), John Matthews (guitars), and Jimmy Wood (harmonica)
• Musical style: Hard rock, heavy metal, glam metal
• Sound: Hard hitting, wonderfully melodic, and a little trashy, the sound on Babylon A.D.'s debut album is a perfect combination of classic hard rock with a dose of L.A. glam!
• Major themes: Rebellion, aggression, love, desire, power, life, death, etc. 
• Tracks: 

1. "Bang Goes The Bells"
2. "The Hammer Swings Down"
3. "Caught Up In The Crossfire"
4. "Desperate"
5. "The Kid Goes Wild"
6. "Shot O' Love"
7. "Maryanne"
8. "Back In Babylon"
9. "Sweet Temptation"
10. "Sally Danced"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Upslope Brewing Company (Boulder, Colorado)
• Website: https://www.upslopebrewing.com/
• Brew: Double West Coast Style IPA
• Style: Double India Pale Ale (DIPA)
• Serving: 19.2 ounce can
• ABV: 9.0% 
• IBUs: 78
• Pour: The Double West Coast Style IPA pours a fairly clear, bright golden yellow hue with a frothy, 1+ finger, bright white head with good sustain and lots of intricate lacing throughout.
• Nose: The nose is characterized by lots of citrus, floral, herbal, earthy, and malty notes.  There are aromas of grapefruit rind, tangerine, pine resin, bitter herbs, herbal tea, wildflowers, and rich caramel/toffee.
• Taste: The taste is citrusy, earthy, and malty.  There are notes of pink grapefruit, tangerine, orange pith, black tea, pine, and caramel/toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied and moderately carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Double West Coast Style IPA is thick, yet very crisp with a dry and slightly bitter, but clean finish.

Overall pairing: The Double West Coast Style IPA from Upslope Brewing Company is very hop-forward and bold brew... perfect for the hard rockin', heavy punch of Babylon A.D.'s kickass debut album!  'Nuff Said! 

Make sure to check out my interview with Babylon A.D. lead vocalist Derek Davis here: https://youtu.be/P-GIGGjJ8XU 

Cheers!!  Rock on!!