July 19th, 2014 - If'n I Had A Fire Hydrant Hefeweisen

Howdy!  The Meista here with another rockin' pairing for you this afternoon... I'm going with "If'n" by Firehose and a Fire Hydrant Hefeweisen from Fire Station 5 Brewing Company outta Portland, Oregon!  This pairing is dedicated to my late friend Scott*... rest in peace buddy!  I miss you my friend!!

Named from a Bewitched episode, "If'n" is the sophomore album by "underground" rock band Firehose that came out of the ashes of The Minutemen.  It was recorded and released in 1987 by the power trio of Ed Crawford (vocals, guitar), George Hurley (drums), and Mike Watt (vocals, bass guitar).  With more of a funky, "good time rock and roll", and sometime more comedic sound than their debut album (or the punkier sound of The Minutemen), "If'n" is an upbeat, foot-stompin' record.  The band really seemed to come into their own and find the voice of Firehose with "If'n".  Songs like "Sometimes", "Hone, Please", "From One Cums One", "Making The Freeway", "For The Singer Of R.E.M.", "Windmilling", "Soon", and "Thunder Child" are some of the most underrated songs in rock and roll history. Here's the full track list:

1. "Sometimes"
2. "Hear Me"
3. "Honey, Please"
4. "Backroads"
5. "From One Cums One"
6. "Making The Freeway"
7. "Anger"
8. "For The Singer Of R.E.M."
9. "Operation Solitaire"
10. "Windmilling"
11. "Me & You, Remembering"
12. "In Memory Of Elizabeth Cotton"
13. "Soon"
14. "Thunder Child"

The Fire Hydrant Hefeweisen from Fire Station 5 Brewing Company pours a somewhat hazy golden cider color with a thin, white head.  The nose is marked by aromas of orange zest, peach, clove, yeast, wheat bread, and a hint of cinnamon.  Moderated carbonated and light in body and a bit thin, the Fire Hydrant Hefeweisen's mouthfeel is clean and refreshing.  The taste is much like the nose, lots of wheat, spice, and citrus flavors.  There are initial notes of juicy orange, tangerine, and lemon along with peach and mango.  This is followed by more roasty/toasty wheat flavors.  And finally, the spices finish it off: coriander, clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon.  Admittedly, I'm not a huge fan of the American Hefeweisen style, but I found the Fire Hydrant Hefeweisen to be a more interesting and flavorful approach... and it worked well as a companion to "If'n"! 

Cheers!!

*Funny side note: Scott once told me that he went to see Mike Watt play live at a bar here in Salt Lake about 20 years ago.  Prior to the show, Watt sat down next to Scott at the bar and asked him if he had a joint or a bag of weed he could buy from him.  Scott busted up laughing when he told me the story.  I never found out the outcome.  :)