May 28th, 2017 - I Think Stone's Jindia Pale Ale Is Up Your Alley

Good afternoon rockers, rollers, and hop lovers!  The Meista here rocking out with "Up Your Alley" by Joan Jett And The Blackhearts and a Jindia Pale Ale from Stone Brewing Company!


Album Info:

• Artist: Joan Jett And The Blackhearts
• Title: "Up Your Alley"
• Recorded: 1988 at The Hit Factory in New York City, New York, Record Plant in New York City, New York, Bearsville Studios in Bearsville, New York, and Dreamland Recording Studios in Woodstock, New York
• Release date: May 23rd, 1988 (6th studio album by Joan Jett And The Blackhearts) 
• Record company: Blackheart Records / CBS-Sony
• Production: Ric Browde, Desmond Child, and Kenny Laguna
• Album cover art: Christopher Austopchuk, Kenny Laguna, and Meryl Laguna
• Personnel: Ricky Byrd (lead guitars), Joan Jett (lead vocals and guitars), Thommy Price (drums), and Kasim Sulton (bass guitar)
• Additional musicians: Frank Carillo (guitar and backing vocals), Paul Carrizzo (backing vocals), Desmond Child (backing vocals), Chuck Kentis (backing vocals), Kenny Laguna (various instruments and backing vocals), Ronnie Lawson (keyboards), Louie Merlino (backing vocals), Mick Taylor (guitar solo on "I Hate Myself For Loving You"), and the Uptown Horns
• Musical style: Hard rock, rock and roll, glam metal
• Sound: Punchy, gritty, honest, and always rockin', the sound on "Up Your Alley" is pure Joan Jett rock and roll!  At a time when overproduced pop ruled the airwaves, Joan Jett And The Blackhearts brought back some straightforward rock and roll for us all!
• Major themes: Love, lust, jealousy, deceit, rock and roll, isolation, heartbreak, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "I Hate Myself For Loving You"
2. "Ridin' With James Dean"
3. "Little Liar"
4. "Tulane"
5. "I Wanna Be Your Dog" (Stooges cover)
6. "I Still Dream About You"
7. "You Want In, I Want Out"
8. "Just Like In The Movies"
9. "Desire"
10. "Back It Up"
11. "Play That Song Again"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Stone Brewing Company (Escondido, California)
• Website: http://www.stonebrewing.com/
• Brew: Jindia Pale Ale
• Style: Double India Pale Ale (DIPA)
• Serving: 12 ounce bottle
• ABV: 8.7%
• IBUs: 70
• Ingredients: Cascade, Centennial, and Magnum hops with ginger root, juniper berry tincture, and lemon and lime peel
• Pour: It pours a clear, deep bronze-orange with a creamy, off-white 1+ finger head with great sustain and lots of intricate and layered lacing.
• Nose: The nose is very hoppy, citrusy, and spicy with a solid malty backbone.  There are aromas of grapefruit rind, lemon and lime peel and juice, spicy ginger, earthy juniper, light pineapple, light mango, and caramel/toffee.
• Taste: The taste of the Jindia Pale Ale follows the nose with lots of spicy ginger, citrusy and tropical fruit, and sweet malt and a hint of booze.  There are notes of ginger, grapefruit, pine, juniper, white pepper, lime, mango, toffee, and doughy bread.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is crisp, yet oily with tingling spice and hop on the tongue and a dry, spicy finish.

Overall pairing: The punchy, spicy, citrusy aromas and flavors of Stone's Jindia Pale Ale are perfect for the upbeat, fiery rock and roll stylings of Joan Jett And The Blackhearts!  The spicy ginger alone just fits the passion and angst of Jett's beautifully raspy vocals!  And those hoppy citrus notes go great with the guitar driven punch of the album!

Cheers!!  Rock on!!