November 20th, 2015 - Music From Big Pinkus

Good afternoon!  The Meista here pairing "Music From Big Pink", the debut album by legendary rock band The Band with a Pinkus Hefe-Weizen from Brauerei Pinkus Mueller!

Album Info:

• Artist: The Band
• Title: "Music From Big Pink" (2000 Re-Release with Bonus Tracks)
• Recorded: Early 1968 in studios in New York, New York and Los Angeles, California
  Release date: July 1st, 1968 (debut album by The Band)
• Record company: Capitol Records
• Production: John Simon
• Album cover art: Bob Dylan (yes, THE Bob Dylan)
• Personnel: Rick Danko (bass guitar, fiddle, and vocals), Levon Helm (drums, tambourine, and vocals), Garth Hudson (electronic organ, piano, clavinet, and soprano and tenor saxophone), Richard Manuel (piano, organ, drums, and vocals), and Robbie Robertson (electric and acoustic guitars and vocals)
• Additional musicians: John Simon (baritone horn, tenor saxophone, and piano)
• Musical style: Roots rock, folk rock, psychedelic rock with elements of country, folk, blues, gospel, R&B, and soul
• Sound: Laid-back and rich in Americana and roots rock, "Music From Big Pink" is a seminal 1960s album!  The musicianship is near perfection and harkens back to a time of music revolution!
• Major themes: Sadness, honesty, deception, lust,
• Tracks:  

1. "Tears Of Rage"
2. "To Kingdom Come"
3. "In A Station"
4. "Caledonia Mission"
5. "The Weight"
6. "We Can Talk"
7. "Long Black Veil"
8. "Chest Fever"
9. "Lonesome Suzie"
10. "This Wheel's On Fire"
11. "I Shall Be Released"
12. "Yazoo Street Scandal" (Outtake)
13. "Tears of Rage" (Alternate Take)
14. "Katie's Been Gone" (Outtake)
15. "If I Lose" (Outtake)
16. "Long Distance Operator" (Outtake)
17. "Lonesome Suzie" (Alternate Take)
18. "Orange Juice Blues (Blues For Breakfast)" (Outtake - Demo)
19. "Key To The Highway" (Outtake)
20. Ferdinand The Imposter" (Outtake - Demo)

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Brauerei Pinkus Mueller (Munster, Germany)
• Website: http://www.pinkus-mueller.de/
• Brew: Pinkus Hefe-Weizen
• Style: Hefeweizen
• Serving: 12 ounce bottle
• ABV: 5.1%
• Pour: Very cloudy lemon-gold with a billowy, bright white 1-finger head that dissipates quickly and leaves layered lacing.
• Nose: Grainy, earthy, yeasty, citrusy, the nose is characterized by aromas of cracked wheat, cracker, German yeast, hints of banana and pink bubblegum, and tart lemon.
• Taste: Following the nose, the Pinkus Hefe-Weizen is a traditional German Hefe.  There are big, grainy wheat notes along with ripe banana, hints of spices, hints of caramel, and lemon.
• Mouthfeel: Light-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is crisp yet creamy with a clean, slightly dry finish.

Overall pairing:  The crisp and easy-drinking flavors of the Pinkus Hefe-Weizen from Brauerei Pinkus Mueller is perfect for the laid-back, yet brilliantly performed grooves on The Band's "Music From Big Pink"!  Both the album and the brew are perfect for kicking back on a sunny Friday afternoon!

Cheers!!