January 3rd, 2026 - Game, Blouses... Before Pancakes in the Purple Rain

 

Hello and happy Saturday rockers, rollers, and craft beer fans!  Your drinkin' buddy the Meista here today pairing my stepson's copy of "Purple Rain", the fantastic and defining early '80s album from the indelible and wildly talented Prince and the Revolution and a Brewers Select: Game Blouses Hazy IPA from Roha Brewing Project!  This pairing is dedicated to my friends William and Jason and to my stepson, Griffin!  Cheers boys!  

Album Info:

• Artist: Prince and the Revolution
• Title: "Purple Rain"
• Recorded: May 1983 through March 1984 at Kiowa Trail Home Studio in Chanhassen, Minnesota and The Warehouse in St. Louis Park, Minnesota
• Release date: June 25th, 1984 (6th studio album by Prince and 2nd studio album with the Revolution)
• Record company: Warner Bros.
• Production: Prince and the Revolution
• Album cover art: Doug Henders (painting), Laura LiPuma (design), Prince (art direction), Ron Slenzak (photography), and Ed Thrasher and Associates (photography)
• Personnel: Prince (electric and acoustic guitars, bass, Yamaha CP-80, synthesizers,  Oberheim OB-SX, Yamaha DX7, programming, Linn LM-1,  LinnDrum, Simmons SDS-V, drums, electronic drums, percussion, tambourine, lead and backing vocals, and spoken word) with Brownmark (bass and backing vocals), Lisa Coleman (synthesizers, lead and backing vocals, and spoken word), Doctor Fink (Yamaha CP-70, synthesizers, Memorymoog, Linn LM-1, and backing vocals), Wendy Melvoin (electric guitars, lead and backing vocals, and spoken word), and Bobby Z. (Linn LM-1, Simmons SDS-V, drums, percussion, and backing vocals)
• Additional musicians: Apollonia (backing vocals), David Coleman (cello and finger cymbals), Jill Jones (backing vocals), Suzie Katayama (cello), and Novi Novog (violin and electric violin)
• Musical style: Rock, pop, R&B, funk rock, with a touch of psychedelia 
• Sound: An enormous commercial success, "Purple Rain" is a profoundly culturally historical pop delivery!  The sound on each track is energetic, soulful, grandiose, and wonderfully produced and executed!  What I always found impressive and amazing about this album is that although it is a hugely produced '80s album with loads of synthesizers, programming, and electric drums, it is still a boldly emotive, soulful, and cohesive sonic journey with a rock and roll approach.
• Major themes: Life, love, sex, desire, loss, heartbreak, music, partying, etc.
• Tracks:

1. "Let's Go Crazy"
2. "The Beautiful Ones"
3. "Computer Blue"
4. "Darling Nikki"
5. "When Doves Cry"
6. "I Would Die 4 U"
7. "Baby I'm A Star"
8. "Purple Rain"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Roha Brewing Project (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: https://rohabrewing.com/
• Brew: Brewers Select: Game, Blouses Hazy IPA
• Style: Hazy India Pale Ale (IPA) / New England Style IPA
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 7.0%
• Ingredients: Citra and Mosaic hops
• Pour: The Game, Blouses Hazy IPA pours a hazy, golden-yellow hue with a bright white, half-finger head that dissipates to the thin ring, displaying light, sudsy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is fruity (tropical and citrusy), malty, and sweet.  There are aromas of freshly squeezed orange juice, freshly sliced melon (cantaloupe and honeydew), mango, light pineapple, tangerine, light grapefruit rind, berries, toasted malts, and soft caramel/toffee.
• Taste: Following the nose, the taste of the Game, Blouses Hazy IPA is a well-balanced blend of fruity, citrusy, and malty flavors.  There are notes of tart orange juice, fresh cantaloupe, honeydew, mango, light pineapple juice, orange herbal tea, lemon zest, toasted malts, and soft caramel/toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and moderately carbonated, the mouthfeel is very crisp, juicy, and smooth with a dry, clean finish with low bitterness. 

Overall pairing: Grab a couple Roha Game, Blouses Hazy IPAs, drop the needle on the "Purple Rain" vinyl, and prepare for the perfect afternoon/evening to get your weekend started right!!  'Nuff said!

Cheers!!