August 30th, 2026 - Rotating IPA Tries to Look on the Bright Side of the Special Beat Service

 

Hey there rockers, rollers, rudeboys, skankers, and hop freaks!  Happy Sunday!  The Meista here today with a pairing dedicated to my friends Greg and Theresa Evans... "Special Beat Service" by the English Beat and a hoppy and very tasty Fisher Rotating India Pale Ale from the fine folks at Fisher Brewing Company!  Cheers you crazy kids!

Album Info:

• Artist: The English Beat (aka The Beat)
• Title: "Special Beat Service"
• Recorded: 1982 at Roundhouse Studios in London, England
• Release date: October 1st, 1982 (3rd full-length album by The English Beat)
• Record company: Go-Feet / I.R.S. Records
• Production: Bob Sargeant, Ranking Roger, and Mike Hedges
• Album cover art: Martyn Atkins (art direction) and Bruce Fleming (photography)
• Personnel: Andy Cox (guitar and mandolin), Wesley Magoogan (clarinet, lyricon, saxophone, sax FX unit), Everett Morton (drums), Ranking Roger (toasting, lead and backing vocals, and percussion), Saxa (saxophone), David Steele (bass and banjo), Dave Wakeling (guitars, and lead and backing vocals), and Dave "Blockhead" Wright (keyboards and piano)
• Guest musician: Pato Banton (toasting), Jack Emblow (accordion), Marc Fox (percussion), Dave Lord (trumpet), Markandey Mishra (tabla), Bob Sargeant (telephone and marimba), Steve Sidwell (trumpet), and Vince Sullivan (trombone) 
• Musical style: Ska, 2-tone, new wave, pop rock
• Sound: Blending ska, pop, soul, rock, reggae, new wave, and a bit of punk rock, with "Special Beat Service", The English Beat produced an upbeat, inviting, yet compelling and artistic album.  For me, this ablum is a paradox of both being nostalgic and also timeless.  And it will definitely get you bouncing! 
• Major themes: Life, love, relationships, loss, music, joy, etc.
• Tracks:  

1. "I Confess"
2. "Jeanette"
3. "Sorry"
4. "Sole Salvation"
5. "Spar Wid Me"
6. "Rotating Head"
7. "Save It For Later"
8. "She's Going"
9. "Pato And Roger Ago Talk"
10. "Sugar And Stress"
11. "End Of The Party"
12. "Ackee 1-2-3"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Fisher Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: 
• Brew: Fisher Rotating India Pale Ale
• Style: West Coast Style India Pale Ale (IPA)
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 7.0% 
• Ingredients: Galaxy and Comet hops
• Pour: The Fisher Rotating India Pale Ale pours a slightly cloudy, bronze-amber color with frothy and billowy, 2+ finger off-white head with great retention and lots of sticky, intricate lacing.
• Nose: The nose is citrusy, dank, floral, herbal, and slightly bitter.  There are aromas of grapefruit rind, tangerine, wildflowers, pine resin, crackery grains, and soft caramel.
• Taste: The taste of the Fisher Rotating India Pale Ale follows the nose with big notes of pink grapefruit juice, orange zest and pith, tangerine, pine, black tea, white pepper, and light toffee/caramel.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied and moderately carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Fisher Rotating India Pale Ale is very crisp, yet smooth with a dry, slightly bitter finish.

Overall pairing: The Fisher Rotating India Pale Ale is very crushable, yet a very punchy, complex, and flavorful brew ... a perfect brew to accompany the classic "Special Beat Service" album by the indelible The English Beat!  I also thought the colors of the beer label and the album art look rather nice together.  'Nuff said! 

Cheers!!