March 6th, 2017 - The Family That [Drinks Fisher Beers] Together

Good evening!  The Meista here tonight pairing the brilliant and classic "The Family That Plays Together" by Spirit and a Fisher Red Ale from the newly opened Fisher Brewing Company!

Album Info:

• Artist: Spirit
• Title: "The Family That Plays Together"
• Recorded: March 11th through September 18th, 1968
• Release date: December 1968 (2nd studio album by Spirit)
• Record company: Ode Records
• Production: Lou Adler
• Album cover art: Tom Wilkes (art direction) and Guy Webster (photography)
• Personnel: Mark Andes (bass and backing vocals), Randy California (guitar, bass, and lead and backing vocals), Ed Cassidy (drums and percussion), Jay Ferguson (lead vocals, keyboards, and percussion), and John Locke (keyboards)
• Musical style: Psychedelic rock, rock, progressive rock with elements of jazz, folk, and world music
• Sound: Complex, inventive, imaginative, yet inviting and familiar, the sound on "The Family That Plays Together" is definitive Spirit!  California's guitar tone is rich, warm, and powerful!  Cassidy's drumming is breathtaking!  Andes bass tones are like floating in a warm lake!  And Ferguson and Locke bring rich, sweet sound with jazz tones and rock and roll sensibility! The album grooves from start to finish!
• Major themes: Love, isolation, booze, religion, spirituality, knowledge, peace, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "I Got A Line On You"
2. "It Shall Be"
3. "Poor Richard"
4. "Silky Sam"
5. "The Drunkard"
6. "Darlin' If"
7. "All The Same"
8. "Jewish"
9. "Dream Within A Dream"
10. "She Smiled"
11. "Aren't You Glad"

    Brew Info:

• Brewery: Fisher Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: http://fisherbeer.com/
• Brew: Fisher Red Ale
• Style: Amber Ale
• Serving: 32 ounce "crowler" can
• ABV: 4.0%               
• Pour: The Fisher Red pours a murky and deep mahogany red hue with a 1-finger, bubbly, off-white head with good retention and lots of sticky, intricate lacing.
• Nose: The nose is a wonderful blend of citrus, bready malt, and nuttiness.  There are aromas of grapefruit, orange zest, sweet caramel, hazelnut, and freshly baked bread.
• Taste: The taste follows the nose with lots of tasty citrusy hops, bready malts, and light nut flavors.  There are notes of grapefruit, tangerine, floral hops, toffee, sweet biscuit, hazelnut, and sweet bread.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and well carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Fisher Red is very crisp, refreshing, and smooth with a dry, clean finish.
• Notes: "Originally founded in Salt Lake City in 1884, Fisher Brewing Company has returned as an employee owned, community-focused craft brewery. Located in the Granary District of Salt Lake City, we serve fine ales and lagers in our brewery taproom."

Overall pairing: The delicious and inviting aromas and flavors of the Fisher Red Ale is perfect for the psychedelic grooves and musical prowess of the amazing and very underrated Spirit! 

Cheers!!