April 30th, 2026 - Togo, Obey!

 

Good evening and happy Thursday metal maniacs, and craft beer lovers!  The Meista here tonight pairing a delicious Togo Vienna Lager from my friends at Ogden Beer Company in collaboration with Wolfdog Brewing and the heavy hitting "Obey" from San Diego/Phoenix metal band Benedictum!  Hell yeah!

Album Info:

• Artist: Benedictum
• Title: "Obey"
• Recorded: 2013
• Release date: November 29th, 2013 (4th studio album by Benedictum)
• Record company: Frontiers Records
• Production: John Herrera 
• Album cover art: Robert Mello (artwork and design)
• Personnel: Aric Avina (bass and backing vocals), Veronica Freeman (lead vocals), Rikard Stjernquist (drums and backing vocals), and Pete Wells (guitars and backing vocals)
• Guest musicians: Tony Martin (vocals on "Cry"), Nina Osegueda (vocals on "Thornz"), Joshua Schwartz (acoustic guitar on "Cry"), and Lissa Voigt (backing vocals)
• Musical style: Heavy metal, power metal
• Sound: In the tradition of bands like Chastain, Doro, and Hellion, Benedictum's sound on "Obey" is a pure adrenaline heavy metal sonic attack!  With Freeman's aggressive, yet beautiful vocals as the focal point, the band lays down track after track of stellar musical prowess!  
• Major themes: Life, death, darkness, freedom, inner strength, aggression, anger, rebellion, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Dream Of The Banshee"
2. "Fractured"
3. "Obey"
4. "Fighting For My Life"
5. "Scream"
6. "Evil That We Do"
7. "Crossing Over"
8. "Cry"
9. "Thornz"
10. "Die To Love You"
11. "Apex Nation"
12. "Retrograde"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Ogden Beer Company (Ogden, Utah) in collaboration with Wolfdog Brewing (Sandy, Utah)
• Website: http://www.ogdenbeercompany.com/ 
• Brew: Togo Vienna Lager 
• Style: Vienna Lager
• Serving: 32 ounce crowler can
• ABV: 5.0%
• Ingredients: Hallertau Mittelfrüh, Czech Saaz, and Tettnang hops
• Pour: The Togo pours a clear, rich burnt toffee color with a 1-finger, off-white, frothy head with great retention and lots of soapy, sudsy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is a characterized by malty, biscuity, slightly fruity, floral, and lightly herbal aromas.  There are aromas of toasted malts, apple/pear, wildflowers, fresh herbs, and soft caramel.
• Taste: Well-balanced, the Togo is a nice blend of bready, grainy, malty, and herbal flavors.  There are notes of toasted bread, bread crust, roasted malts, crackery biscuit, light apple, herbal hops, and light, sweet caramel/toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Light to medium in body and well-carbonated, the mouthfeel is crisp and smooth with a dry, clean finish. 

Overall pairing: The inviting and crushable flavors and aromas of the delicious Togo Vienna Lager from Ogden Beer Company/Wolfdog Brewing is a great brew for the crush whilst banging your head and shaking your fists to the heavy-duty, yet melodic metal onslaught that is Benedictum!  The roasty, toasty, and malty flavors are great for Freeman's powerful vocal attack along with the intensity of the band as a whole!  'Nuff said!

Cheers and hails!!