August 31st, 2017 - Never Turn Your Back On A Friend... Especially If He's Got A Beer Bar Blonde!

Good evening!  The Meista here tonight pairing the very underrated "Never Turn Your Back On A Friend" by Welsh hard rock band Budgie and a Beer Bar Blonde from Proper Brewing Company!

Album Info:

• Artist: Budgie
• Title: "Never Turn Your Back On A Friend"
• Recorded: 1973
• Release date: June 1973 (3rd studio album from Budgie)
• Record company: MCA Records
• Production: Budgie
• Album cover art: Roger Dean
• Personnel: Tony Bourge (guitars and backing vocals), Burke Shelley (bass and lead vocals), Ray Phillips (drums)
• Musical style: Hard rock, proto metal, progressive rock, heavy blues rock
• Sound: Combining the heavy and aggressive sound of bands like Black Sabbath and Deep Purple with more progressive elements like Rush and Yes, Budgie's sound was highly influential on the NWOBHM movement as well as early thrash metal.  It is original, richly textured, heavy, and just plain rocks!
• Major themes: Life, love, rebellion, heartache, power, anger, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "Breadfan"
2. "Baby Please Don't Go"
3. "You Know I'll Always Love You"
4. "You're the Biggest Thing Since Powdered Milk"
5. "In The Grip Of A Tyrefitter's Hand"
6. "Riding My Nightmare"
7. "Parents"
8. "Breadfan" (2003 version)
9. "Parents" (2004 acoustic version)
10. "Breadfan" (live 1973)

    Brew Info:

• Brewery: Proper Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: http://www.properbrewingco.com/
• Brew: Beer Bar Blonde
• Style: Belgian-Style Blonde Ale
• Serving: 22 ounce bottle
• ABV: 5.6% 
• Ingredients: Lemondrop hops
• Pour: The Beer Bar Blonde pours slightly hazy golden-blonde amber with 1-finger, bright white, bubbly head with good sustain and lacing.
• Nose: The nose is malty, citrusy, and slightly spicy.  There are aromas of grapefruit, orange, lemon, fresh bread, soft caramel, and subtle spices (clove, nutmeg).
• Taste: The taste of the Beer Bar Blonde is citrusy, fruity, and malty.  There are notes of orange juice and peel, lemon zest, tangerine, soft banana, fresh bread, herbal tea, light spices, and caramel.
• Mouthfeel: Light-medium in body with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is crisp, smooth, and refreshing with a clean, dry, hoppy finish.

Overall pairing: The easy-drinkability, yet complex flavors of Proper's delicious Beer Bar Blonde is the perfect beer to rock out to the heavy-duty chops of Budgie and their excellent album "Never Turn Your Back On A Friend"!  Those citrusy and sweet notes seem to have been brewed specifically for the sweet tones of Bourge's guitar work while the hoppier and punchier notes are great for Shelley's distinct and unique vocals!

Cheers!!