January 3rd, 2025 - Release the Broadsword and the Beast

 

Hello and happy Friday rockers, rollers, and craft beer fanatics!  The Meister here tonight pairing "The Broadsword And The Beast", the wonderful and very underrated  14th studio album by the mighty Jethro Tull and a tasty, hoppy, and very crushable Release the Beast Limited Series 509 Pilsner from the fine folks at Iron Horse Brewery!  Oh, yeah!!  Special thanks to my friend Brad Davis for giving me this tasty brew... thanks brother!!

Album Info:

• Artist: Jethro Tull
• Title: "The Broadsword And The Beast" 
• Recorded: March through February 1982 at Maison Rouge Studios in Fulham, London, England
• Release date: April 9th, 1982 (14th studio album by Jethro Tull)
• Record company: Chrysalis 
• Production: Paul Samwell-Smith
• Album cover art: Iain McCaig 
• Personnel: Ian Anderson (lead vocals, flute, acoustic guitar, and Fairlight CMI), Martin Barre (lead guitars and acoustic guitars), Gerry Conway (drums and percussion), David Pegg (bass guitar, mandolin, and backing vocals), and Peter-John Vettese (keyboards, piano, synthesizer, and backing vocals)
• Musical style: Hard rock, progressive rock, art rock, folk rock
• Sound: An interesting and ambitious blend of modern synthesizers and more traditional folk rock elements, Tull proved once again that they are not only outstanding musicians, but adaptable and relevant.  Their sound is hard-hitting, yet very melodic.  This is definitely an overlooked gem in the vast Tull anthology!  
• Major themes: Life, mythology, history, the sea, the past, darkness, fear, relationships, etc. 
• .
• Tracks: 

1. "Beastie"
2. "Clasp"
3. "Fallen On Hard Times"
4. "Flying Colours"
5. "Slow Marching Band"
6. "Broadsword"
7. "Pussy Willow"
8. "Watching Me, Watching You"
9. "Seal Driver"
10. "Cheerio"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Iron Horse Brewery (Ellensburg, Washington)
• Website: https://www.ironhorsebrewery.com/
• Brew: Release the Beast Limited Series 509 Pilsner
• Style: Pilsner
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 4.5%
• IBUs: 20
• Ingredients: Weyerman Pilsen, Barke Pilsner, Bohemian Pilsen, and Claymore Pilsner malts with Alora and Lemondrop hops
• Pour: The Release the Beast Limited Series 509 Pilsner pours a clear, golden-yellow hue with a billowy, bright white, 1+ finger head with great sustain and lots of sticky, intricate spider web lacing.
• Nose: The nose is a characterized by citrusy, grassy, floral, grainy, and malty aromas.  There are aromas of lemon zest, lemongrass, yuzu, stone fruit, light melon, cracked wheat, freshly cut hay, honeysuckle flowers, and light caramel.
• Taste: Well-balanced and flavorful, the Release the Beast Limited Series 509 Pilsner has a nice blend of citrusy, fruity, grainy, and grassy flavors.  There are notes of lemon zest, light pink grapefruit juice, yuzu, light apricot, grassy hops, crackery biscuit, and light toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Light to medium-bodied and well carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Release the Beast Limited Series 509 Pilsner is crisp, yet smooth, with a dry, slightly hoppy finish. 

Overall pairing: The Iron Horse Release the Beast Limited Series 509 Pilsner is a very crisp, complex, yet very crushable brew... a great companion for the absolute musical brilliance that is Jethro Tull's fantastic "The Broadsword And The Beast"!  'Nuff said!

Cheers!!  

"I see a dark sail on the horizon, set under a black cloud that hides the sun. Bring me my broadsword and clear understanding. Bring me my cross of gold as a talisman."