Good afternoon! The Meista here paring Enslaved's 2012 album "RIITIIR" with a Polygamy Porter from the Utah Brewers Cooperative (Wasatch Brewery)! Hell yeah!
Enslaved is the brilliant Norwegian progressive extreme metal band formed in July 1991 by lead guitarist Ivar Bjørnson and vocalist/bassist Grutle Kjellson. "RIITIIR" is the 12th studio album by the band and was released on October 9th, 2012 through Nuclear Blast Records. Joining Bjørnson and Kjellson on the album are Arve Isdal on lead and rhythm guitars, Herbrand Larsen on keyboards/synthesizers and clean lead vocals, and Cato Bekkevold on drums/percussion. Combining elements of black metal, death metal, Viking metal, and progressive rock, "RIITIIR" is a fantastically constructed, complex, and mesmerizing musical journey of both artistic integrity and outright aggressive intensity. Bjørnson's and Isdal's soaring guitar work coupled by Kjellson growling vocals and Larsen's clean vocals and ethereal keys makes for some wonderfully rich musical passages and amazing songs! And Bekkevold's drumming is solid, explosive, and thunderous! I had the great fortune of seeing Enslaved open for Amon Amarth last week... WOW!! What a great band!! If you are into extreme metal and not familiar with Enslaved, I strongly suggest you check these guys out!
I thought we should go with something that goes down easy, but is a bit smoky, very dark and mysterious, and hinting at the abnormal (at least in terms of the name) for the pairing with "RIITIIR"... thus the Polygamy Porter! The Polygamy Porter pours a deep mahogany... almost opaque black with a thin mocha head with fairly good lacing. The nose is dominated by rich, dark chocolate notes, dark coffee bean, and a hint of smoked grains. It is a medium-bodied beer with light to medium carbonation. The flavor is rich, well-textured, and earthy, yet very drinkable. There are notes of dark semi-sweet chocolate, roasted coffee, roasted malt, and oak with a smooth, smoky finish. This is a good session porter that goes down easy, yet has some nice complex qualities, and is great for kicking back with the genius that is Enslaved!
Raise those horns... and those drinking horns!!! Skål and hails!!!
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