August 11th, 2013 - The Cuvée René Argument

It is hard to believe that post-punk/post-hardcore/Avant garde/math rock (whatever you wan to call it) artists Fugazi have not released an album since 2001.  That album was "The Argument," a collection of BRILLIANT artistic pieces!  I'm pairing "The Argument" with a Gueuze Lambic Cuvée René from Belgian brewer, Brouwerij Lindemans.  This pairing goes out to my very good friend, Chad.  He turned me on to Fugazi way back in the day as well to craft beer... this one is for you brotha!!  Cheers!!

Fugazi's final album, "The Argument" is the 6th studio album by the band and was released on October 16, 2001 through Dischord Records.  Singer/guitarist Ian MacKaye described the album as "an anti-war manifesto." As for me, I describe "The Argument" as experimental, subversive, thought-provoking, compelling, complex, profound, and wonderfully written and executed... simply put, fucking genius!  Songs like "Cashout," "Full Disclosure," "Epic Problem," "Life And Limb," "Oh," "Nightshop," and "Argument" are the definition of art.  Fugazi's "The Argument" was:

Guy Picciotto – vocals, guitar

Ian MacKaye – vocals, guitar, piano

Joe Lally – vocals, bass

Brendan Canty – drums, piano

Jerry Busher – second drums, percussion

Bridget Cross – backing vocals

Kathi Wilcox – backing vocals

Amy Domingues – cello

At the risk of offending my punk rock friends, you really don't need to drink shit beer to enjoy good punk music or to be "punk"!  You want to be "punk"?  Dump your fucking corporate PBR and try a small, hand-crafted ale like a Gueuze Lambic Cuvée René.  That my friends IS punk!  Characterized by intense sourness, the Gueuze Lambic Cuvée René is a traditional Gueuze, which is a Belgian blend of young and old lambics (young [1-year-old] and old [2- to 3-year-old] lambics).  Lambics are traditional Belgian ales that involve spontaneous fermentation with wild yeasts and bacteria from the Senne Valley.  Gueuzes actually go through two fermentation processes.  It is this rather unusual combination of the spontaneous fermentation and the double fermentation that gives the Gueuze such a distinctive, dry, and somewhat cidery flavor as well as a sharp, sour aftertaste. The Gueuze Lambic Cuvée René pours a wonderful, hazy light straw yellow with a bright, white fizzy head that dissipates fairly quickly from the high carbonation.  The nose is quite sharp with notes of tart lemon, red wine vinegar, a hint of sweetness, and some barnyard funkiness (is that leather?)!  The mouthfeel is also very sharp on the tongue up front and frothy on the back-end from the high carbonation.  The flavor is quite intense and very tart... "pucker up buttercup!"  There are notes of Belgian yeast, sour apple, white wine, and citrusy lemon along with some more subtle notes of sourdough bread and oak.  It finishes very dry, like a white wine.  The Gueuze Lambic Cuvée René is crisp, sharp, and an intensely interesting ale that works wonderfully with the sharp, critical lyrics and musical intensity of Fugazi's "The Argument"!

A Gueuze can be a bit of an acquired taste due to the intense tart flavor.  Maybe not the best craft beer for a novice, unless of course you like tart beverages, but if you are looking for something out of the ordinary and exquisitely interesting, pick up a bottle of Brouwerij Lindemans' Gueuze Lambic Cuvée René and make sure you pair it with the wonderful musicianship of  Fugazi!  I think you will at the very least have an interesting evening.

Cheers!