May 3rd, 2017 - Red Velvet Album Of The Baroness

Good evening!  The Meista here tonight rocking out with a pairing of a Nitro Red Velvet from Ballast Point Brewing Company and "Red Album" by Baroness!

Album Info:

• Artist: Baroness
• Title: "Red Album"
• Recorded: Mar 18th through May 2nd, 2007
• Release date: September 4th, 2007 (1st full-length studio album by Baroness)
• Record company: Relapse Records
• Production: Phillip Cope of Kylesa
• Album cover art: John Dyer Baizley
• Personnel: John Dyer Baizley (vocals and guitar), Allen Blickle (drums), Brian Blickle (guitar), and Summer Welch (bass)
• Musical style: Sludge metal, progressive metal with elements of post punk
• Sound: Slow, sludgy, heavy, and progressive, Baroness creates a fresh and richly blended musical journey with the sound on "Red Album" while giving a nod to bands like Mastodon, Melvins, Black Sabbath, and Fugazi!  They approach their writing and delivery with a truly artisan persona... passionate, heavy as hell, and wholly complex!
• Major themes: Power, darkness, mythology, life, knowledge, self-reliance, isolation, etc.
• Tracks:

1. "Rays On Pinion"
2. "The Birthing"
3. "Isak"
4. "Wailing Wintry Wind"
5. "Cockroach En Fleur"
6. "Wanderlust"
7. "Aleph"
8. "Teeth Of A Cogwheel"
9. "O'Appalachia"
10. "Grad"
11. "Untitled"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Ballast Point Brewing Company (San Diego, California)
• Website: https://ballastpoint.com/
• Brew: Nitro Red Velvet
• Style: Oatmeal Stout 
• Serving: 12 ounce bottle
• ABV: 5.5%
• IBUs: 35
• Pour: It pours a slightly hazy ruby red with a very creamy white head that dissipates quickly, leaving only a trace ring.
• Nose: The nose is big blast of red velvet cake: earthy, sweet, and chocolaty.  There are notes of cocoa, oats, milk chocolate, cream, light vanilla bean, and hints of earthy beets. 
• Taste: The taste follows the nose.  There are notes of cocoa, dark chocolate, beet juice, light caramel, cream, hints of cherry, and creamy oatmeal. 
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with soft carbonation, the mouthfeel is creamy, smooth, and very drinkable with a dry, slightly sweet finish.

Overall pairing: The originality, unique flavors and aromas, and smoothness of the Nitro Red Velvet from Ballast Point is surprisingly delicious and well-suited for the sludgy grooves and power of "Red Album" by the mighty Baroness!   Do yourself a huge favor and check them both out!

Cheers and hails!!