November 9th, 2014 - If I Were Brittania, I'd Drink A Brown Ale

Hello my friends!  The Meista here this evening pairing the classic album "If I Were Brittania I'd Waive The Rules" (2006 Remastered Edition) from Budgie and a Calico Brown from Tenaya Creek Brewery!

Released on April 23rd, 1976, "If I Were Britania I'd Waive The Rules" is the 6th studio album by Welsh hard rock/heavy metal power trio Budgie.  The trio at the time was Burke Shelley (bass and vocals), Tony Bourge (guitars), and Steve Williams (drums).  Guest musician Richard Dunn provided keyboards.  The album's title is a pun on the old saying that "Brittania rules the waves".  Musically, Budgie was heavily influenced by progressive rock acts like Rush and Genesis and heavy metal acts like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest.  Although Budgie never saw huge commercial success, they have also been cited by many New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) bands and more modern metal acts as having been highly influential, most notably Iron Maiden, Metallica, Soundgarden, and Van Halen.  Not as heavy as some of their earlier albums, "If I Were Britania I'd Waive The Rules" is still full of some great hard rock/metal moments.  Songs like "Anne Neggen", the title track, "Quacktors & Bureaucats", "Sky High Percentage", and "Black Velvet Stallion" are richly textured heavy rock gems!  Bourge's guitar tone on "Sky High Percentage" alone will melt your face! 

The Calico Brown is a classic 5.60% ABV, malty American Brown Ale.  It pours an opaque dark amber hue with a thin mocha head that dissipates quickly living only a thin ring.  The nose is sweet, malty, and nutty with a touch of spiciness from the use of Tettnang hops.  There are aromas of freshly baked bread, burnt toffee, and hazelnut.  Medium bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is smooth and creamy.  The taste is nutty, malty, toasty, and slightly sweet with a light bitter finish from the use of Chinook hops.  There are notes of hazelnut, almond, and walnut along with sweeter caramel notes and toasted wheat bread.  The Calico Brown goes down easy and leaves a nice clean, yet slightly bitter finish... a great beer to go along with the rockin' good time that is Budgie's  "If I Were Britania I'd Waive The Rules"!

Cheers!!