January 2nd, 2017 - The Rise [And Pine] Of The Power And The Glory

Good evening rockers, rollers, and hop-lovers... one more for ya tonight!  The Meista here pairing the wonderful "Power And The Glory" by metal gods Saxon and a Rise & Pine Hoppy Dark Ale from Uinta Brewing Company!

Album Info:

• Artist: Saxon
• Title: "Power And The Glory" (2009 Remastered Version)
• Recorded: 1982 at Axis Sound Studio in Atlanta, Georgia
  Release date: March 21st, 1983 (5th studio album by Saxon)
• Record company: Carrere Records
• Production: Jeff Glixman
• Album cover art: Nic Tompkin
• Personnel: Biff Byford (vocals), Steve Dawson (bass), Nigel Glockler (drums), Graham Oliver (guitars), and Paul Quinn (guitars)
• Musical style: Heavy metal, power metal
• Sound: Continuing their early '80s metal dominance, Saxon's "Power And The Glory" is both heavy and rich in musical depth.  Biff's unique vocals are in top form while the band is tight and completely embodies the "power and the glory" of the classic Saxon sound!
• Major themes: Power, war, glory, loss, isolation, heavy metal, rock and roll, space travel, etc.
• Tracks:  

1. "Power And The Glory"
2. "Redline"
3. "Warrior"
4. "Nightmare"
5. "This Town Rocks"
6. "Watching The Sky"
7. "Midas Touch"
8. "The Eagle Has Landed"
9. "Denim And Leather" (live B-side)
10. "Suzie Hold Off" (Jeff Glixman version)
11. "Turn Out The Lights" (Kaley Studios demo)
12. "Stand Up And Rock" (Kaley Studios demo)
13. "Power And The Glory" (Kaley Studios demo)
14. "Saturday Night" (Kaley Studios demo)
15. "Midas Touch" (Kaley Studios demo)
16. "Nightmare" (Kaley Studios demo)
17. "Redline" (Kaley Studios demo)

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Uinta Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: http://uintabrewing.com/
• Brew: Rise & Pine Hoppy Dark Ale
• Style: American Black Ale / Black India Pale Ale (IPA) / Cascadian Dark Ale
• Serving: 12 ounce bottle
• ABV: 7.5%
• IBUs: 85
• Ingredients: Carafa and Chocolate malts with Chinook, Simcoe, and Exp. #07270  hops
• Pour: The Rise & Pine pours an opaque deep brown (almost black) with a creamy mocha head with good retention and sticky lacing.
• Nose: The nose is earthy, dank, and slightly smoky.  There are aromas of pine resin, juniper, tangerine, cedar, roasted coffee, roasted malts, soft caramel, and a little bit of liquid smoke.
• Taste:  The taste of the Rise & Pine is toasty, roasty, piney, and hoppy with a little bit of citrus sweetness.  There are notes of pine and juniper, roasted malt, cocoa, dark toast, light toffee, and some orange and grapefruit in the finish.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is somewhat chunky and bitter with a smooth, dry finish.

Overall pairing: The very hop-forward and robust flavors and aromas of Uinta's Rise & Pine Hoppy Dark Ale is not only great for a cold winter night, but is perfect for the meaty, heavy duty rock and roll goodness that is Saxon's "Power And The Glory"!!  Those big, dank piney and smoky flavors are perfect for Biff's vocals, while the bitterness and sweetness is great for the overall heaviness of the album's sound!

Cheers!!  Hails!!