December 12th, 2014 - Awakening The Supplication

Hello friends!  The Meista here with another rockin' pairing for you... today I'm going with Dream Theater's "Awake" (probably my favorite of theirs) and a Supplication from Russian River Brewing Company!  This pairing goes out to my brother, Daino... cheers little bro!!

Album Info:

• Artist: Dream Theater
• Title: "Awake"
• Recording: May–July 1994 at One on One Studios and Devonshire Studios in North Hollywood, Los Angeles
• U.S. release date: October 4th, 1994
• Record company: East West
• Personnel: James LaBrie – lead vocals, Kevin Moore – keyboards and co-lead vocals on "Space-Dye Vest", John Myung – bass, John Petrucci – guitars and backing vocals, and Mike Portnoy – drums, percussion, and backing vocals on "The Mirror"
• Themes/content:  Mental illness, alcoholism, depression, introversion, and self-examination
• Musical style: Progressive metal/rock; soaring and bombastic guitars, intricate and powerful rhythms and melodies, emotional and mesmerizing vocals.
• Album artwork: Larry Freemantle
• Notes: Sadly, "Awake"  is the last Dream Theater album to feature keyboardist Kevin Moore.  He announced he was leaving the band toward the end of the recording sessions.
• Tracks:

1. "6:00"
2. "Caught In A Web"
3. "Innocence Faded"
4. "Erotomania"
5. "Voices"
6. "The Silent Man"
7. "The Mirror"
8. "Lie"
9. "Lifting Shadows Of A Dream"
10. "Scarred"
11. "Space-Dye Vest"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Russian River Brewing Company
• Website: http://russianriverbrewing.com/
• Brew: Supplication
• Style: American Wild Ale; Belgian-Style Farmhouse Ale
• Serving: 12 ounces
• Ingredients: Aged for approximately 12 months with sour cherries, brettanomyces, lactobacillus, and pediococcus added to each barrel.
• ABV: 7.75%
• Pour: Murky golden-brown with a thin white head.
• Nose: Similar to a lambic: sweet and sour, with barnyard funk.  Aromas: sour cherries, candi sugar, leather, horse blanket
• Taste: Oaky, fruity, funky, and tart.  Flavors: fruit barrel, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Belgian yeast,  
• Mouthfeel: Creamy, smooth and frothy, with a dry, tart finish.
• Finish: Tart, tangy, and dry, and slightly bitter.
• Overall:  A fantastic, complex, and wonderfully crafted world-class beer for a complex, bombastic, and world class album!!

Cheers!!