February 24th, 2017 - Elephino's Memory

Good afternoon and happy Friday!  The Meista here getting psychedelic with a pairing of an Elephino Double IPA from Red Rock Brewery and Elephant's Memory's debut, self-titled album!


Album Info:

• Artist: Elephant's Memory
• Title: "Elephant's Memory"
• Recorded: 1969
• Release date: 1969 (1st album by Elephant's Memory)
• Record company: Buddah Records
• Production: Wes Farrell
• Album cover art: Joel Brodsky
• Personnel: Chester Ayers (guitar), Stan Bronstein (saxophone, clarinet, and vocals), David Cohen (guitar, keyboards, and vocals), Rick Frank, Jr. (drums), Guy Peritore (guitar and vocals), Michal Shapiro (vocals), R. Sussmann (keyboards), John Ward (bass), and Myron Yules (bass and trombone)
• Musical style: Rock, psychedelic rock with elements of soul, jazz-rock fusion, and experimental art rock
• Sound: Upbeat, melodic, and characterized by a rich groove throughout, Elephant's Memory's sound is similar to early Jefferson Airplane, but with horns and jazz influence.  There's a touch of Donovan in there as well.
• Major themes: Freedom from oppression, love, free love, passion, peace, nature, life, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "Don't Put Me On Trial No More"
2. "Crossroads Of The Stepping Stones"
3. "Jungle Gym At The Zoo"
4. "Super Heep"
5. "R.I.P."
6. "Band Of Love"
7. "Takin' A Walk"
8. "Hot Dog Man"
9. "Old Man Willow"
10. "Yogurt Song"
11. "Brief Encounter"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Red Rock Brewery (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: www.redrockbrewery.com
• Brew: Elephino Double IPA
• Style: Double India Pale Ale (DIPA) / Imperial IPA (IIPA)
• Serving: 16 ounce bottle
• ABV: 8.0%
• Ingredients: Red Rock employs six varieties of hops and then double dry-hops this bad boy with whole leaf Amarillo hops, which gives it a big citrus and piney flavor.
• Pour: The Elephino pours a very hazy golden orange with a big and rocky frothy head that displays good retention.
• Nose: The nose really grabs you with a blend of citrus and floral and pine notes. 
• Taste: Those same citrus notes in the nose are what really grab you with its flavor.  Notes of bitter grapefruit, pine, and softer, more subtle sweet malts intertwine for a well-balanced and flavorful brew. 
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with good carbonation, the mouthfeel is not as dry and a bit "creamier" than most IPAs, but you definitely get that hop oily feel on the tongue, which leaves a nice, lingering bitterness.

Overall pairing: The Elephino (pronounced: el-uh-fine-oh) is an American style double IPA with a huge hop profile!  Those bright citrus and pine flavors are great for the upbeat hippie love tunes of those groovy Elephant's Memory cats!

Cheers!!