December 30th, 2024 - Easy Squeezy Rider

 

Hello rockers, rollers and hop-freaks!!  The Meista here today spinning the classic "Easy Rider" Original Soundtrack and a very crushable and juicy Squeezy Rider IPA from Deschutes Brewing Company!  This pairing is dedicated to the memories of Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper...  "I never really thought of myself as a freak you know, but I love to freak!"

Album Info:

• Artist: Various artists
• Title: "Easy Rider" Original Soundtrack
• Recorded: 1967 through 1969
• Release date: August 1969
• Record company: ABC-Dunhill / Reprise
• Production: Raybert Productions
• Album cover art: ?
• Personnel: various (noted in the tracks) 
• Musical style: Rock, pop, folk rock, psychedelic rock
• Sound: Carefully selected to form a "musical commentary" within the film, the tracks on 1969's "Easy Rider" soundtrack are definitive '60s rock anthems.  Songs like Steppenwolf's "The Pusher" and "Born To Be Wild," The Jimi Hendrix Experience's "If 6 Was 9," The Band's "The Weight," and The Byrd's "Wasn't Born to Follow" are just a few of the richly textured songs highlighted on the album.  ("The Pusher" and "If 6 Was 9" just so happen to be two of my all-time favorite rock songs!)  Roger McGuinn's fantastic rendition of Bob Dylan's "It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" is an added bonus and the Fraternity Of Man's "Don't Bogart Me" adds some counterculture humor. 
• Major themes: Life, death, drugs, freedom, rebellion, relationships, truth, etc.
• Tracks:

1. "The Pusher" - performed by Steppenwolf
2. "Born To Be Wild " - performed by Steppenwolf
3. "The Weight" - performed by Smith (The Band cover)
4. "Wasn't Born To Follow" - performed by The Byrds
5. "If You Want to Be a Bird (Bird Song)" - performed by the Holy Modal Rounders
6. "Don't Bogart Me" - performed by Fraternity of Man
7. "If 6 Was 9" - performed by the Jimi Hendrix Experience
8. "Kyrie Eleison / Mardi Gras (When the Saints)" - performed by the Electric Prunes
9. "It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" - performed by Roger McGuinn (Bob Dylan cover)
10. "Ballad Of Easy Rider" - performed by Roger McGuinn (Bob Dylan cover)

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Deschutes Brewing Company (Portland, Oregon)
• Website: https://www.deschutesbrewery.com/
• Brew: Squeezy Rider IPA
• Style: West Coast India Pale Ale (IPA)
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 7.0%
• IBUs: 40
• Ingredients: 2 Row, Wheat, and Munich malts with Cascade, Strata, Mosaic, and Galaxy hops
• Pour: The Squeezy Rider pours a very hazy and bright golden-orange hue with a 1-finger, firm and frothy, off-white head with great retention and sticky, sudsy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is citrusy, tropical, floral, and slightly sweet. There are aromas of freshly squeezed orange juice, orange peel, tangerine, grapefruit rind, mango, berries, pineapple, melon light pine resin, wildflowers, soft caramel, and soft malt.
• Taste: With loads of citrusy hop flavors, the taste of the Squeezy Rider follows the nose with citrus, tropical fruit, melon, and soft sweet malt flavors.  There are notes of freshly squeezed orange juice, tangerine, juicy pink grapefruit, mango, guava, cantaloupe, crackery biscuit, and light toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is crisp, juicy, and refreshing with a dry, slightly bitter, yet sweet finish.

Overall pairing: The hoppy, citrusy, and punchy flavors and aromas of the Deschutes Squeezy Rider IPA just work so perfectly well with the classic rock and roll grooves of all the wonderful tracks on the "Easy Rider" Original Soundtrack!  'Nuff said!

Peace man!!  Cheers!!