July 4th, 2015 - The Principles Of A 24K Moment

Good afternoon and happy Independence Day!  Today I'm pairing 24K Golden Ale from 2 Row Brewing and Robert Plant's "The Principle Of Moments"!
 
Album Info:

• Artist: Robert Plant
• Title: "The Principle Of Moments"
• Recorded: 1983 at Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, Wales
• Release date: July 11th, 1983 (2nd solo studio album by Robert Plant)
• Record company: Es Paranza
• Production: Robert Plant, Benji LeFevre, and Pat Moran
• Album cover art: APP. STD
• Personnel: Robert Plant (vocals) with Barriemore Barlow (drums on tracks 4 and 7), Robbie Blunt (guitars), Phil Collins (drums on tracks 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 8), John David (backing vocals), Paul Martinez (bass guitar), Ray Martinez (backing vocals), and Jezz Woodroffe (keyboards)
• Musical style: Rock, hard rock, power pop
• Sound: Characterized by a rich rock and roll, and soulful sound, "The Principle Of Moments" album has a very modern (for the time) sound.  I think it stands up well for being 30+ years old.  Plant's vocals are rich, impassioned, emotional, and very honest.  The drum work is obviously amazing considering that you have both Collins and Barlow.  And Blunt's guitar work on this album is probably some of the most underrated and underappreciated in the industry.
• Major themes: Peace and harmony, love, sex, and passion, the beauty of music and rhythm, loss, etc. 
• Tracks: 

1. "Other Arms"
2. "In The Mood"
3. "Messin' With The Mekon"
4. "Wreckless Love"
5. "Thru' With The Two Step"
6. "Horizontal Departure"
7. "Stranger Here... Than Over There"
8. "Big Log"

    Brew Info:

• Brewery: 2 Row Brewing (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/2-Row-Brewing/1455746251359506?sk=timeline
• Brew: 24K Golden Ale
• Style: Golden Ale
• Serving: 12 ounce bottle
• ABV: 5.7%
• Pour: Clear straw-gold with a bright, white 1-finger head that dissipates into a well-sustained ring with cumulous lacing.
• Nose: The nose of the 24K is fruity, doughy, yeasty, and grassy.  There are aromas of apple cider, pear, biscuit, and June grass. 
• Taste: Characterized by grainy, fruity, grassy, and spicy elements, the 24K has notes of crackery biscuit, sourdough bread dough, Pilsner maltiness, lemon zest, grassy hops, spicy white pepper, subtle apple, and maybe a hint of peat(?).
• Mouthfeel: Light to medium-bodied and well carbonated, the mouthfeel of the 24K is crisp and refreshing with a clean, slightly spicy finish.

Overall pairing: To be honest, Robert Plant's "The Principle Of Moments" was not initially what I was going to pair with the 24K Golden Ale from 2 Row Brewing.  Originally, I was playing on pairing a Steely Dan album, but as soon as I cracked open the 24K, the song "In The Mood" popped into my head, even though I hadn't listened to the album for many months (or longer!).  Anyway, the crisp, clean, and bready flavor of the 24K just plain fits with the poppier, yet rich rock sound of ex-Zepp Plant's early '80s musical approach... I can't explain it... it just does.  'Nuff said!

Cheers!!