Hello gang! The Meista here with another pairing for you... today I'm pairing neo-prog rock/alternative rock legends Marillion and their album, "This Strange Engine" with an 80 Acre Hoppy Wheat from Boulevard Brewing Company out of Kansas City, Missouri!
"This Strange Engine" is the 9th studio album by Marillion and was released in 1997. Although one of their best albums in my opinion, "This Strange Engine" did not fair well commercially. It was release during a time the band was struggling to find their place and voice in the always fickle music business. The album received very little promotion from the record company and the band was not able to tour the U.S. initially due to lack of funds. That being said, artistically, emotionally, and musically, this is a richly wonderful album! Several tracks ("Man Of A Thousand Faces," "One Fine Day," and "This Strange Engine") have become fan set list favorites. With deeply personal and emotional lyrics by singer/songwriter Steve Hogarth coupled by the brilliance of Steve Rothery (guitars), Mark Kelly (keyboards), Peter Trewavas (bass), and Ian Mosley (drums), "This Strange Engine" is a collection of beautifully written and engaging songs... nay, works of art. Thematically, the songs examine concepts such as touring and connecting to fans ("80 Days"), soul-searching ("One Fine Day" and the amazing and epic "This Strange Engine"), hope, ("Hope For the Future") buried emotions ("An Accidental Man"), and the sinking of the ferry Estonia in the Baltic Sea back in 1994 ("Estonia"). My favorite track on the album, "Man Of A Thousand Faces" is a breathtaking journey that builds into a powerful crescendo.
80 Acre Hoppy Wheat is an interesting and somewhat odd little brew. Combining the mellow and smooth flavors of a wheat and the hoppy crispness of an IPA, the 80 Acre is a very good summer ale... especially coupled with the brilliance that is Marillion's "This Strange Engine"! It pours a cloudy, pale yellow gold with a bright, white, frothy head with good retention and bubbly lacing. The nose is the aroma of IPA... grapefruit, lemon, pine. The light to medium bodied, the mouthfeel is crisp, clean, and slightly sharp. The flavor is very lemony and malty. Notes of tangy citrus and mango coupled with malty and bready grains abound. The finish is slightly dry, and nice and clean. This is one refreshing beer... perfect for the refreshing honesty and musicianship of Marillion!!
Have a great day/evening! Cheers!
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