August 4th, 2024 - Higher Learning By Design or By Disaster

 

Hey there rockers, proggers, and hop freaks!  Happy Sunday!  Your drinking pal the Meista here with another great pairing for you... "By Design Or By Disaster", the wonderfully complex and melodic, 3rd album by For All We Know and a punchy and bold Higher Learning Hazy IPA from Mother Earth Brewing Company!  Yes!

Album Info:

• Artist: For All We Know
• Title: "By Design Or By Disaster"
• Recorded: 2023 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: March 2024 (3rd studio album by For All We Know)
• Record company: Construction Records
• Production: Ruud Jolie
• Album cover art: Ana Correa
• Personnel: Kristoffer Gildenlöw (bass guitar and backing vocals), Ruud Jolie (guitars, keyboards, programming, and backing vocals), Marco Kuypers (piano), Léo Margarit (drums and backing vocals), and Wudstik (lead vocals)
• Musical style: Progressive rock/metal with elements of jazz fusion, rock, and a hint of pop and new wave
• Sound: Atmospheric, lush, emotive, complex, melodic, and totally engrossing, the sound on "By Design Or By Disaster" blends multiple styles to deliver a hauntingly beautiful sonic journey performed by master musicians.
• Major themes: A concept album of sorts about man making his way through life, and building and losing relationships, themes on the album include life, death, relationships, freedom, introspection, suffering, sorrow, depth, the past, harmony, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Forced To Be Free"
2. "Lifeline"
3. "This Hell We Know"
4. "The Future That Came Too Soon"
5. "All We Did Was Hide"
6. "Hush"
7. "Remind Me To Forget You"
8. "Flaws"
9. "Guide Me In Getting Lost"
10. "Ghosts Of Summer's Past"
11. "Goodbye"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Mother Earth Brew Company (Vista, California)
• Website: http://motherearthbrewco.com/
• Brew: Higher Learning Hazy IPA
• Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 7.2%
• IBUs: 40
• Ingredients: Sabro, Galaxy, and Nelson hops
• Pour: The Higher Learning Hazy IPA pours a hazy, bright golden orange/yellow hue with a thin, off-white head with and light lacing.
• Nose: Fruit forward, the nose is tropical, citrusy, floral, dank, slightly nutty, and malty.  It is chalk full of notes of grapefruit rind, tangerine, orange zest, stone fruit (peach and apricot), passionfruit, pineapple, mango, coconut, light pine resin, cracked wheat, soft caramel malt, and a hint of booze.
• Taste: The taste of the Higher Learning Hazy IPA follows the nose with floral and dank hops, citrus, tropical fruit, and sweet malt flavors.  There are big notes of mango, passionfruit, grapefruit juice, orange juice and zest, tangerine, pineapple, peach, apricot, strawberry, coconut, pine, and a little booze with a strong, malty backbone.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel of the Higher Learning Hazy IPA is crisp and juicy, yet somewhat thick, with a soft, creamy, and smooth finish.

Overall pairing:  The punchy, fruity, complex, yet refreshing flavors of the Mother Earth Higher Learning Hazy IPA is an excellent beer to accompany the brilliance that is Ruud Jolie's band For All We Know and their fantastic 3rd album "By Design Or By Disaster"!  'Nuff said!

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

Proost!!