Saturday, September 30, 2017

September 30th, 2017 - Crest Of The Stickee Steel Monkee


Good evening! Your drinking buddy the Meista here tonight pairing the wonderful and very underrated album "Crest Of A Knave" by Jethro Tull and a Stickee Monkee from the Firestone Walker Brewing Company!
 
Album Info:
  • Artist: Jethro Tull
  • Title: "Crest Of A Knave"
  • Recorded:  Early 1987
  • Release date: September 11th, 1987 (16th studio album by Jethro Tull)
  • Record company: Chrysalis
  • Production: Jethro Tull
  • Album cover art: Andrew Stewart Jamieson
  • Personnel: Ian Anderson (lead vocals, flute, acoustic and electric guitars, percussion, keyboards, Synclavier, and drum programming on tracks 1, 5 and 9), Martin Barre (electric and acoustic guitars), and Dave Pegg (bass guitar, and acoustic bass on track 4)
  • Additional musicians: Gerry Conway (drums on tracks 3, 4, 6, and 8), Doane Perry (drums on tracks 2 and 7), and Ric Sanders (violin on track 6)
  • Musical style: Hard rock, progressive rock, blues rock, folk rock
  • Sound: After keyboard heavy albums throughout the early 1980s, with "Crest Of A Knave", Jethro Tull focused on their 1970s heavy progressive rock sound.  Probably one of Tull's "heavier" albums, the overall sound is akin to Dire Straits, particularly in Barre's guitar approach.  Anderson's flute work is as amazing, rich, and honest as ever.  A notable change in their sound is Anderson's vocal range.  After undergoing throat surgery due to an infection, Anderson's range was more limited and became more gruff.
  • Major themes: Lust, sex, the plight of the American farmer, the Falklands War, angst, etc.
  • Special note: I was introduced to this album in 1987 by a Vietnam veteran, who happened to be the head nurse in a mental health facility I was a patient at in my somewhat fucked up and depressed 16th year on this planet.  He was a big Jethro Tull fan (as was I) and taped this album for me, which I still own!  I don't recall his name, but this pairing is emphatically dedicated to him... wherever he may be.  Peace brother!  Thank you!
  • Tracks:   
  1. "Steel Monkey"
  2. "Farm On The Freeway"
  3. "Jump Start"
  4. "Said She Was A Dancer"
  5. "Budapest"
  6. "Mountain Men"
  7. "Raising Steam"

    Brew Info:
  • Brewery: Firestone Walker Brewing Company (Paso Robles, California)
  • Website: http://www.firestonewalker.com/
  • Brew: Stickee Monkee
  • Style: Belgian Quadrupel (Quad) / Central Coast Quad
  • Serving: 12 ounce bottle
  • ABV: 13.4%
  • IBUs: 45
  • Ingredients: Turbinado brown sugar from Mexico and Belgian candi sugar.  The malts and hops are "undisclosed".
  • Pour: The Stickee Monkee pours a mahogany brown (like Coca-Cola) with a creamy mocha head.
  • Nose: The nose is toasty, oaky, sweet, and very boozy.  It is chalk full of notes of banana, molasses, brown sugar, coconut, bourbon, spiced rum, leather, oak barrels, butterscotch, vanilla, and dark fruits (plum, raisin, and fig).
  • Taste: The taste of the Stickee Monkee is full of fruit esters, sweets, spices, malt, and booze.  There are big notes of  soft banana, plantains, honey, molasses, brown sugar, bourbon, raisins, prunes, and spiced rum.
  • Mouthfeel: Full-bodied with low carbonation, the mouthfeel of the Stickee Monkee is thick, sticky, rich, and smooth with a boozy bite and a dry finish. 

Overall pairing: The Stickee Monkee from Firestone Walker Brewing Company is about as close to perfection as you can get to a Quad!  Those rich, boozy, complex flavors are nothing short of amazing... and pair wonderfully well with the heavy duty and beautiful themes, harmonies, riffs, and melodies of Jethro Tull's brilliant "Crest Of Knave"!

Cheers!!  Keep it craft and keep it heavy!!


September 30th, 2017 - LAG The Lagunator Coming At You Head On!


Good afternoon! Your drinking buddy the Meista here today pairing "Head On", the sophomore album of NWOBHM band Samson and a LAG Lagunator Lager from the Lagunitas Brewing Company!
 
Album Info:
  • Artist: Samson
  • Title: "Head On"
  • Recorded:  April through May 1980 at Kingsway Recorders in London, England
  • Release date: June 27th, 1980 (2nd album by Samson)
  • Record company: GEM/RCA
  • Production: Samson
  • Album cover art: Simon Fowler
  • Personnel: Chris Aylmer (bass guitar), "Bruce Bruce" Dickinson (lead vocals), Paul Samson (guitar and vocals), and Barry Graham Purkis aka Thunderstick (drums and vocals)
  • Musical style: Heavy metal, hard rock 
  • Sound: Straight-forward, fast-paced, and rockin', "Head On" is wonderfully fun hard rock/metal album with a nostalgic vibe.  Dickinson's vocals (although not yet developed) are wonderfully rich, emotive, and powerful with hints of what's to come with Iron Maiden!
  • Major themes: Power, might, deception, lust, pain, heavy metal, heartbreak, relationships, destruction, etc.
  • Notes: The instrumental "Thunderburst" was co-written by Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris and is in fact an early version of "The Ides of March". 
  • Tracks:   
  1. "Hard Times"
  2. "Take It Like A Man"
  3. "Vice Versa"
  4. "Manwatcher"
  5. "To Close To Rock"
  6. "Thunderburst"
  7. "Hammerhead"
  8. "Hunted"
  9. "Take Me To Your Leader"
  10. "Walking Out On You"
  11. "Angel With A Machine Gun"
  12. "Kingsway Jam"

    Brew Info:
  • Brewery: Lagunitas Brewing Company (Petaluma, California)
  • Website: https://lagunitas.com/
  • Brew: LAG Lagunator Lager
  • Style: California Common / Bock
  • Serving: 22 ounce bottle 
  • ABV: 7.7%
  • IBUs: 42
  • Ingredients: Experimental hops from the Yakima Valley
  • Pour: The LAG Lagunator Lager pours a hazy, deep bronze-amber with a dense and creamy, 2+ finger, off-white head with great sustain and lots of sticky, intricate, and layered lacing.
  • Nose: The nose is hoppy, malty, and herbal.  There are aromas of hop resin, spice cake, light pine resin, burnt toffee, nutmeg, cloves, orange peel, and orange spice tea.
  • Taste: Following the nose, the taste of the LAG Lagunator Lager is malty, sweet, hoppy, and herbal.  There are flavors of black tea, lemon zest, onion, bready malt, a hint of booziness, black pepper, and light caramel.
  • Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and moderately carbonated, the mouthfeel is smooth, slightly sticky, slightly oily, yet crisp and refreshing with a spicy, dry, and somewhat bitter finish. 

Overall pairing: Those LAG Lagunator Lager flavors pair wonderfully well with the heavy duty, straight-forward rocking goodness that is Samson's very underrated "Head On"!  The complex malt and flavors and aromas are perfect for the depth and power of Dickinson's vocals, while the hoppy bitterness is great for the overall aggressive spirit of the music! 

Cheers!!  And hails!!

Sunday, September 24, 2017

September 24th, 2017 - Ticket To Rye The Lighting!


Good afternoon head-bangers and hop-heads! Your drinking buddy the Meista here today thrashing it out to Metallica's classic "Ride The Lightning" and a Ticket To Rye India Pale Ale from Magic Hat Brewing Company!
 
Album Info:
  • Artist: Metallica
  • Title: "Ride The Lightning"
  • Recorded:  February 20th, 1984 through March 14th, 1984 at Sweet Silence Studios in Copenhagen, Denmark
  • Release date: July 27th, 1984 (2nd album by Metallica)
  • Record company: Megaforce Records
  • Production: Metallica and Flemming Rasmussen
  • Album cover art: AD Artists
  • Personnel: Cliff Burton (bass guitar), Kirk Hammett (lead guitar), James Hetfield (vocals, rhythm guitar, and acoustic guitar), and Lars Ulrich (drums)
  • Musical style: Thrash metal, speed metal
  • Sound: More ambitious, more mature, and more complex than their first album, with "Ride The Lightning", Metallica established themselves as not only leaders of the thrash metal movement, but flexed their musical prowess and songwriting skills.  One of my all-time favorite thrash metal albums, the guitar work (with Hammett's blistering arpeggios and riffs) stands as a testament to the brilliance, rebellion, passion, and raw talent of Metallica in their early years!
  • Major themes: Nuclear war, death, destruction, aggression, anger, biblical mythos, ancient Egypt, betrayal by the powers that be of the common man, the horror and dishonor of warfare, monstorous evil, etc.
  • Tracks:   
  1. "Fight Fire With Fire"
  2. "Ride The Lightning"
  3. "For Whom The Bell Tolls"
  4. "Fade To Black"
  5. "Trapped Under Ice"
  6. "Escape"
  7. "Creeping Death"
  8. "The Call Of Ktulu"

    Brew Info:
  • Brewery: Magic Hat Brewing Company (South Burlington, Vermont)
  • Website: http://www.magichat.net/
  • Brew: Ticket To Rye India Pale Ale
  • Style: American India Pale Ale (IPA)
  • Serving: 12 ounce bottle
  • ABV: 7.1%
  • IBUs: 80
  • Ingredients: Pale, Rye, Wheat, Caramel, and Chocolate malts with Apollo and Nugget hops
  • Pour: The Ticket To Rye pours an opaque, mahogany-bronze hue with a 1-finger, off-white, frothy head with good retention and soapy lacing.
  • Nose: The nose is earthy, malty, sweet, spicy, bitter, and peppery.  There are aromas of freshly baked and toasted rye bread, herbs, grapefruit rind, lemon zest, cocoa, biscuit, caramel, and light raisin.
  • Taste: The taste of the Ticket To Rye is nice blend of peppery rye, citrus, and sweet malt.  There are notes of rye bread, caramel/toffee, bitter grapefruit, roasted malt, light cocoa, and pine.
  • Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is smooth and crisp, yet slightly bitter with a dry, peppery finish. 

Overall pairing: The complex, yet biting and punchy flavors of Magic Hat's Ticket To Rye India Pale Ale is perfect for the aggression and musicianship of Metallica on their legendary and highly influential "Ride The Lightning"!

Cheers!!  Hails!!

Saturday, September 23, 2017

September 23rd, 2017 - Power Windows Up


Good afternoon! The Meista here today pairing "Power Windows" by Rush and a Windows Up India Pale Ale from Alpine Beer Company!
 
Album Info:
  • Artist: Rush
  • Title: "Power Windows"
  • Recorded: April to June and August 1985 at The Manor Studio, Oxfordshire, England, Sarm East Studios, Angel Studios and Abbey Road Studios, London, England, and AIR Studios, Montserrat 
  • Release date: October 29th, 1985 (11th studio album by Rush)
  • Record company: Anthem/Mercury
  • Album cover art: Hugh Syme
  • Personnel: Geddy Lee (lead vocals, bass guitar, bass pedals, synthesizers ), Alex Lifeson (guitars), and Neil Peart (drums and percussion)
  • Musical style: Progressive rock, hard rock, power pop, electronic rock
  • Sound: Moving further away from their progressive '70s sound and significantly more synthesizer heavy than previous albums, "Power Windows" is crisp, technical, tight, angular, yet still punchy and rockin'.
  • Major themes: The manifestation of power (greed, Cold War military aggression, nationalism, etc.), non-conformism, suburban monotony and mediocrity, criticism of the mainstream music industry, hope, etc.
  • Notes: "Power Windows" was the first Rush album to ever be released directly to CD.
  • Tracks:   
  1. "Big Money"
  2. "Grand Designs"
  3. "Manhattan Project"
  4. "Marathon"
  5. "Territories"
  6. "Middletown Dreams"
  7. "Emotion Detector"
  8. "Mystic Rhythms"

    Brew Info:
  • Brewery:  Alpine Beer Company (Alpine, California)
  • Website: http://alpinebeerco.com/
  • Brew: Windows Up India Pale Ale  
  • Style: American India Pale Ale (IPA)
  • Serving: 12 ounce bottle
  • ABV: 7.0%
  • Ingredients: Citra and Mosaic hops
  • Pour: The Windows Up pours a slightly hazy golden yellow with a frothy, bright white, 2-finger head with good sustain and lots of intricate and sticky lacing.
  • Nose: The nose is earthy, dank, floral, fruity, and citrusy.  There are aromas of grapefruit rind, peaches, orange peel, mango, pine resin, ganja, wild flowers, green hops, light caramel, and light grains.
  • Taste: The taste of the Windows Up follows the nose and is very citrusy, dank, earthy, and floral.  There are notes of pink grapefruit, tangerine, pineapple, pine, and soft caramel.
  • Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is crisp, refreshing, and sharp with a dry and slightly bitter finish. 

Overall pairing: The crisp, complex, and hop-forward, yet very drinkable flavors of Alpine's Windows Up India Pale Ale is perfect for the electrifying melodies, harmonies, and subject matter found on Rush's wonderful "Power Windows" album!

Cheers!!



Friday, September 22, 2017

September 22nd, 2017 - The Autumnal Killing Season



Good evening and happy Friday!  The Meista here tonight celebrating on the onset of Fall with a pairing of "Killing Season" by American thrash maniacs Death Angel and a Four Seasons of Mother Earth: Autumn (2016) from Mother Earth Brewing Company!


Album Info:
  • Artist: Death Angel
  • Title: "Killing Season"
  • Recorded: September through December 2007 at Studio 606 in Northridge, California
  • Release date: February 26th, 2008 (5th studio album by Death Angel)
  • Record company: Nuclear Blast Records
  • Production: Nick Raskulinecz
  • Album cover art: Dennis Pepa
  • Personnel: Ted Aguilar (guitars), Rob Cavestany (guitars and backing vocals), Andy Galeon (drums), Mark Osegueda (vocals), and Dennis Pepa (bass and backing vocals)
  • Musical style: Thrash metal
  • Sound: Fierce, fiery, fast, and aggressive, Death Angel's "Killing Season" is the classic, yet modernized thrash sound of the California band!  Aguilar's and Cavestany's guitar work is machine gun fire brilliance!  Galeon and Pepa swing the rhythm section bat hard and heavy!  And Osegueda is as brutal and in-your-face as always!
  • Major themes: Aggression, hate, destruction, fear, death, mythology, etc. 
  • Tracks:   
  1. "Lord Of Hate"
  2. "Sonic Beatdown"
  3. "Dethroned"
  4. "Carnival Justice"
  5. "Buried Alive"
  6. "Soulless"
  7. "The Noose"
  8. "When Worlds Collide"
  9. "God Vs. God"
  10. "Steal The Crown"
  11. "Resurrection Machine"


    Brew Info:
  • Brewery: Mother Earth Brewing Company (Vista, California)
  • Website: https://www.motherearthbrewco.com/
  • Brew: Four Seasons of Mother Earth: Autumn (2016)
  • Style: Bourbon Barrel Aged Strong Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy 
  • Serving: 22 ounce bottle
  • ABV: 11.0% 
  • Pour: The Four Seasons of Mother Earth: Autumn pours an opaque mahogany red with a thin off-white/light tan that dissipates to a thin ring with sparse lacing.
  • Nose: The nose is malty, sweet, herbal, earthy, spicy, and boozy. There are aromas of sweet bread, bourbon, oak, herbal tea, mulling spices, and a hint of peat.
  • Taste: The taste of the Four Seasons of Mother Earth: Autumn is . 
  • Mouthfeel: Full-bodied with lower carbonation, the mouthfeel is thick, sticky, somewhat astringent, and punchy with a dry, boozy finish. 

Overall pairing: The punchy, boozy, in-your-face maltiness of Mother Earth's Four Seasons of Mother Earth: Autumn (2016) is a big, bold brew... perfect for the aggression and might of Death Angel's "Killing Season" and perfect for the first day of Fall!

Cheers!!  Hails!!

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

September 19th, 2017 - Born Blonde And Born To Run



Good evening!  The Meista here tonight pairing Bruce Springsteen's "Born To Run" with a Born Blonde from Mother Earth Brewing Company!


Album Info:
  • Artist: Bruce Springsteen
  • Title: "Born To Run"
  • Recorded: May 1974 through July 1975 at the Record Plant in New York City and 914 Sound Studios in Blauvelt, New York
  • Release date: August 25th, 1975 (3rd studio album by the Boss)
  • Record company: Columbia Records
  • Production: Bruce Springsteen, Mike Appel, and Jon Landau
  • Album cover art: Eric Meola
  • Personnel: Bruce Springsteen (lead vocals, lead and rhythm guitars, harmonica, and percussion) with Wayne Andre (trombone), Mike Appel (backing vocals), Roy Bittan (piano, Fender Rhodes, organ, harpsichord, glockenspiel, and backing vocals on all tracks except "Born to Run"), Michael Brecker (tenor saxophone), Randy Brecker (trumpet and flugelhorn), Ernest "Boom" Carter (drums on "Born to Run"), Clarence Clemons (saxophones, tambourine, and backing vocals), Richard Davis (double bass on "Meeting Across The River"), Danny Federici (organ and glockenspiel on "Born to Run"), Suki Lahav (violin on "Jungleland"), David Sanborn (baritone saxophone), David Sancious (piano and organ on "Born to Run"), Garry W. Tallent (bass guitar), Steven Van Zandt (guitar, backing vocals, horn arrangements, and alto horn), Max Weinberg (drums on all tracks except "Born to Run")
  • Musical style: Rock, hard rock, R&B, blues rock
  • Sound: Steeped in Americana, R&B, soul, the blues, and rock and roll, the sound on "Born to Run" is classic rock and roll!  Of the approach to album musically, Springsteen stated that he wanted the album to sound like "Roy Orbison singing Bob Dylan, produced by Spector".
  • Major themes: Escape, freedom, desire, rebellion loss, betrayal, defeat, life, love, hope, etc. 
  • Tracks:   
  1. "Thunder Road"
  2. "Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out"
  3. "Night"
  4. "Backstreets"
  5. "Born To Run"
  6. "She's The One"
  7. "Meeting Across The River"
  8. "Jungleland"


    Brew Info:
  • Brewery: Mother Earth Brewing Company (Vista, California)
  • Website: https://www.motherearthbrewco.com/
  • Brew: Born Blonde
  • Style: Blonde Ale
  • Serving: 12 ounce can
  • ABV: 4.8% 
  • IBUs: 21
  • Ingredients: Pale 2-Row and Flaked Wheat malts and Crystal hops
  • Pour: The Born Blonde pours a slightly hazy, bright golden-yellow with a billowy, 2-finger, bright white head with great sustain and lots of soapy lacing.
  • Nose: The nose is bready, toasty, malty, and hoppy.  There are aromas of fresh baked bread, lemon zest, summer grass, and soft caramel. 
  • Taste: The taste of the Born Blonde is grassy, slightly citrusy, slightly sweet, and bready.  There are notes of toasted biscuit, sourdough bread, lemongrass, lemon zest, light caramel, and a slightly peppery finish. 
  • Mouthfeel: Light in body and well carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Born Blonde is very crisp and refreshing with a clean finish. 

Overall pairing: The straight-forward, completely refreshing flavor of Mother Earth's Born Blonde is perfect for the classic rock and roll style of the Boss... especially his monumental album "Born To Run"!

Cheers!!  Rock on!!

Monday, September 18, 2017

September 18th, 2018 - West Coast-Style Seattle Boy IPA



Good evening!  The Meista here tonight pairing a West Coast-Style IPA from Uinta Brewing Company and the compilation album "West Coast Seattle Boy: The Jimi Hendrix Anthology" in tribute Jimi on the 47th anniversary of his passing... hails Jimi!

Album Info:
  • Artist: Jimi Hendrix
  • Title: "West Coast Seattle Boy: The Jimi Hendrix Anthology" (Single Disc Edition)
  • Recorded: 1964 through 1970
  • Release date: November 16th, 2010
  • Record company: Experience Hendrix / Legacy Records
  • Production: Eddie Kramer and John McDermott 
  • Album cover art: Various photographers
  • Personnel: Jimi Hendrix (guitars, bass, drums, and vocals) with Paul Caruso (harmonica and backing vocals), Billy Cox (bass and backing vocals), Rocki Dzidzornu (percussion), Frank Fayad (bass), Jerry Goldstein (piano), Emmeretta Marks (backing vocals), Dave Mason (sitar), Buddy Miles (drums and backing vocals), Mitch Mitchell (drums, percussion, and backing vocals), Noel Redding (bass and backing vocals), Gary Rowles (guitar), Juma Sultan (percussion), George Suranovich (drums), Jerry Velez (percussion), Chris Wood (saxophone), and Larry Young (organ) 
  • Musical style: Psychedelic rock, blues rock, acid rock, funk rock, hard rock, R&B
  • Sound: It's Jimi Hendrix!  In a word... BRILLIANT!!!  The power, the beauty, the honesty, the depth, the soul, the musical prowess... unparalleled!!
  • Major themes: Life, love, lust, drugs, rock and roll, freedom, rebellion, the blues, hope, peace, joy, etc. 
  • Tracks:   
  1. "Fire"
  2. "Love Or Confusion"
  3. "Room Full Of Mirrors"
  4. "Shame, Shame, Shame"
  5. "Mr. Bad Luck"
  6. "May This Be Love"
  7. "Are You Experienced?"
  8. "Tears Of Rage"
  9. "Hear My Freedom"
  10. "Hound Dog Blues"
  11. "Lonely Avenue"
  12. "Burning Desire"
  13. "In From The Storm"
  14. "Bolero"
  15. "Hey Baby (New Rising Sun)"


    Brew Info:
  • Brewery: Uinta Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
  • Website: http://uintabrewing.com/
  • Brew: West Coast-Style IPA
  • Style: American India Pale Ale (IPA)
  • Serving: 12 ounce bottle
  • ABV: 6.3% 
  • IBUs: 69
  • Ingredients: 2-Row, Oats, and C-15 malts, and Denali, Mosaic, El Dorado, and Chinook hops
  • Pour: The West Coast-Style IPA pours a slightly hazy, golden yellow with billowy 1-finger head with good sustain and lots of chunky lacing.
  • Nose: The nose is a blend of citrus, tropical fruit, herbs, and earthy dank notes.  There are aromas of pineapple, mango, grapefruit rind, tangerine, fresh herbs, pine resin, and soft caramel.
  • Taste: The taste of the West Coast-Style IPA follows the nose with lots of hop-forward citrus, tropical fruit, herbs, caramel, and pine flavors.  There are notes of pink grapefruit, tangerine, lemon zest, pineapple, mango, guava, herbal tea, pine, and toffee.
  • Mouthfeel: Light-medium in body and well carbonated, the mouthfeel of the West Coast-Style is very crisp, slightly bitter, refreshing, and very drinkable with a clean, somewhat dry, and slightly bitter finish. 

Overall pairing:  Let's be honest, no beer can adequately stand up to the sheer brilliance and profundity that is the Jimi Hendrix... seriously!  But I will say, the bright, complex aromas and flavors seem to have been brewed specifically for a listening session with this album!  'Nuff said!

Cheers!!  Rock on!!

Saturday, September 16, 2017

September 16th, 2017 - A Pale And Sour Dark Star


Hello!  The Meista here today pairing the self-title debut album by NWOBHM band Dark Star and a Pale Sour Ale from Brewery Ommegang!

Album Info:
  • Artist: Dark Star
  • Title: "Dark Star" (2013 Remastered Edition)
  • Recorded: January through February 1981
  • Release date: 1981 (1st album by Dark Star)
  • Record company: Avatar Records & Screenworks Ltd.  (2013 Reissue by Rock Candy Records)
  • Production: Pete Chalcraft, Mike Kemp, and Dark Star
  • Album cover art: Linda Curry
  • Personnel: Steve Atkins (drums, percussion, and backing vocals), Dave Harrison (guitars and backing vocals), Bob Key (guitars and backing vocals), Mark Oseland (bass and backing vocals), and Rik Staines (keyboards and lead vocals)
  • Additional musicians: Chris Causton (bass on "Lady Of Mars")
  • Musical style: Heavy metal, hard rock
  • Sound: Melodic, fast-paced, rockin', and fun as hell, the sound on Dark Star's debut album is straightforward hard rockin' classic NWOBHM with a sound somewhat reminiscent to Thin Lizzy!
  • Major themes: Heroism, murder, love, rock and roll, fast girls, lust, rebellion, etc. 
  • Tracks:   
  1. "Kaptain America"
  2. "Backstreet Killer"
  3. "The Musician"
  4. "Lady Of Mars"
  5. "Louisa"
  6. "Rockbringer"
  7. "Lady Love"
  8. "Green Peace"
  9. "Die Tryin'" (bonus track)
  10. "Carry On" (bonus track)
  11. "Rock N' Romancin'" (bonus track B-side)
  12. "Stars Like Dust" (bonus track)
  13. "Crazy Circles" (bonus track)
  14. "Renegade" (bonus track)
  15. "Screaming" (live bonus track)


    Brew Info:
  • Brewery: Brewery Ommegang (Cooperstown, New York)
  • Website: http://ommegang.com/
  • Brew: Pale Sour Ale
  • Style: Belgian Pale Ale
  • Serving: 12 ounce bottle
  • ABV: 6.9% 
  • Pour: The Pale Sour Ale pours a hazy light yellow hue with a frothy, 1-finger, bright white head with good sustain and sudsy lacing.
  • Nose: The nose is fruity, tart, grainy, and herbal.   There are aromas of pear, apple, lemon, white grape, light banana, and a hint of funk.
  • Taste: The taste of the Ommegang Pale Sour Ale is sweet, tart, fruity, and a little funky with some more subtle herbal and grassy hop notes.  There are flavors of apple, pear, lemon zest, champagne, light cereal grain, light crackery biscuit, and light spices.
  • Mouthfeel: Light to medium in body and well-carbonated, the mouthfeel is very crisp, tart, and dry with a clean finish. 

Overall pairing:  The punchy, tart, and very drinkable character of Ommegang's Pale Sour Ale is a great beer to rock out to the straight-forward and very underrated heavy duty sound of NWOBHM band Dark Star!

Cheers and hails!!

Friday, September 15, 2017

September 15th, 2017 - Mikey's Misplaced Childhood



Good evening and happy Friday!  Here's a pairing dedicated to my friend Mikey of Utah Beer Blog fame and my friend Nick of awesomeness fame!  Cheers fellas!!  Your pal, the Meista here tonight pairing the classic "Misplaced Childhood" by prog-rockers Marillion and a delicious Mikey's Citra IPL from 2 Row Brewing!

Album Info:
  • Artist: Marillion
  • Title: "Misplaced Childhood"
  • Recorded: March through May 1985 at Hansa Ton Studios in Berlin, Germany
  • Release date: June 17th, 1985 (3rd album by Marillion)
  • Record company: EMI Records
  • Production: Chris Kimsey
  • Album cover art: Mark Wilkinson
  • Personnel: Fish (vocals), Mark Kelly (keyboards), Ian Mosley (drums and percussion), Steve Rothery (guitars), and Pete Trewavas (bass)
  • Musical style: Neo-progressive rock, power pop
  • Sound: Heavily influenced by Peter Gabriel era Genesis and early Yes, Marillion's sound on "Misplaced Childhood" acts almost as a bridge between '70s progressive rock, post punk, and pop.  It is emotional, melodic, dark, yet uplifting, and very complex... in a word, brilliant!
  • Major themes: Originally conceived during a 10-hour acid trip, "Misplaced Childhood" is a concept album that examines the breakdown of relationships and lost love, childhood innocence, failure, success, fading youth, sorrow, hope, etc. 
  • Tracks:   
  1. "Pseudo Silk Kimono"
  2. "Kayleigh"
  3. "Lavender"
  4. "Bitter Suite"
  5. "Heart of Lothian"
  6. "Waterhole (Expresso Bongo)"
  7. "Lords Of The Backstage"
  8. "Blind Curve"
  9. "Childhoods End?"
  10. "White Feather"


    Brew Info:
  • Brewery: 2 Row Brewing(Midvale, Utah)
  • Website: http://2rowbrewing.com/
  • Brew: Mikey's Citra IPL
  • Style: American Pale Lager (APL) / India Pale Lager (IPL)
  • Serving: 12 ounce bottle
  • ABV: 5.5% 
  • Pour: The Mikey's Citra pours a clear, golden-yellow with lots of effervescence and a half-finger bright white head with good sustain and lacing.
  • Nose: The nose is a wonderful medley of citrusy and grassy hops, and crackery malt.  There are aromas of grapefruit rind, lemon zest, tangerine, light mango, summer grass, lemongrass, light biscuit, and a hint of caramel.
  • Taste: The taste of the Mikey's Citra is very fruity, citrusy, grassy, and lightly malty.  There are notes of pink grapefruit, tangerine, lemon zest, light pineapple, grassy hops, crackery biscuit, light caramel, and a hint of white pepper.
  • Mouthfeel: Light-medium in body with lots of carbonation, the Mikey's Citra is very crisp, refreshing, and slightly peppery with a dry, clean finish. 

Overall pairing:  The complex, yet very bright flavors and aromas of 2 Row's fantastic Mikey's Citra IPL is perfect for the depth, honesty, and beauty of Marillion's legendary and perfect album "Misplaced Childhood"!  Those citrusy hop notes are perfect for the unique vocals of Fish, while the malty backbone highlights the power and integrity of the musicianship!

Cheers!!

Thursday, September 14, 2017

September 14th, 2017 - Sacrificing The Old Iron Rooster To Lupus Metallorum



Good evening headbangers and craft brew drinkers!  The Meista here tonight pairing "Lupus Metallorum" the amazing new album from Seattle heavy doom metal band Old Iron and an Iron Rooster Imperial Stout from Roosters Brewing Company!

Album Info:
  • Artist: Old Iron
  • Title: "Lupus Metallorum"
  • Recorded: October 2016 at the Red Room Studio in Seattle, Washington
  • Release date: August 18th, 2017 (2nd album by Old Iron)
  • Record company: Good To Die Records
  • Production: Matt Bayles
  • Album cover art: Jesse Roberts
  • Personnel: Trent McIntyre (drums), Jesse Roberts (guitar and vocals), and Jerad Shealey (bass guitar)
  • Musical style: Doom metal, sludge metal, hardcore punk, with elements of death metal and black metal
  • Sound: Incredibly heavy, tuned-down, powerful grinding, yet at times fast and aggressive, with "Lupus Metallorum", Old Iron has released a beast, a metal onslaught of aggression, honesty, and melodic intensity!  If you can catch this band live, DO SO!!  You won't be sorry!  They are incredible!
  • Major themes: Aggression, death, misery, violence, power, etc. 
  • Tracks:   
  1. "Friday Glendale"
  2. "Gravewax"
  3. "Maelstrom Of The Black Tempest"
  4. "Bogwitch"
  5. "Interlude"
  6. "Lupus Metallorum"
  7. "Bloody Angles"
  8. "Valerian"
  9. "Nightmare Tooth"
  10. "Banisteriopsis Caapi"


    Brew Info:
  • Brewery: Roosters Brewing Company (Layton, Utah)
  • Website: http://www.roostersbrewingco.com/
  • Brew: Iron Rooster Imperial Stout
  • Style: Imperial Stout
  • Serving: 16 ounce bottle
  • ABV: 9.0% 
  • Pour: The Iron Rooster pours a deep, dark brown (almost black) with a thin, but very cream and sustained mocha head with soapy lacing.
  • Nose: The nose is roasty, toasty, chocolaty, smoky, and creamy.  There are aromas of cocoa, milk chocolate, semi-sweet dark chocolate, fresh cream, walnut, dark roasted coffee, roasted malt, toffee, oak, and a hint of bourbon.
  • Taste: The taste of the Iron Rooster is characterized by bold flavors of bitter dark chocolate, cocoa, cream, light marshmallow, burnt toffee, toasted malt, sweet caramel, a hint of liquid smoke, and a booze.
  • Mouthfeel: Full-bodied with low carbonation, the mouthfeel is very thick, velvety, sticky, and creamy with a very dry, slightly bitter finish. 

Overall pairing:  The bold and complex roasty, toasty, chocolaty, and slightly boozy flavors and aromas of Roosters' wonderful Iron Rooster Imperial Stout is perfect for the sludgy heaviness and intensity of Old Iron's powerful album "Lupus Metallorum"!  Both the brew and album are big, powerful, and demand your damned attention!!

HAILS!! Na Zdorovie!!

September 14th, 2017 - Dude, I Think I Gotta Little Roadburn From This Brett Tripel!


God kveld!  The Meista here tonight pairing the amazing "Roadburn Live" (Record Store Day color limited edition) by Enslaved and a Brett Tripel from Uinta Brewing Company!

Album Info:
  • Artist: Enslaved
  • Title: "Roadburn Live" (Record Store Day color limited edition)
  • Recorded: Live on April 11th, 2015 at the Roadburn Festival in Tilburg, Netherlands
  • Release date: May 19th, 2017 (1st official live album by Enslaved)
  • Record company: Roadburn Records and By Norse Music
  • Production: Ivar Bjørnson, Grutle Kjellson, and Iver Sandøy
  • Album cover art: Costin Chioreanu of Twilight13Media
  • Personnel: Cato Bekkevold (drums), Ivar Bjørnson (guitars and backing vocals),  Arve Isdal (lead guitar), Grutle Kjellson (bass and vocals), and Herbrand Larsen (keyboards and vocals)
  • Additional musicians: Menno Gootjes (lead guitar on "Immigrant Song"), Kvitrafn (vocals), Aðalbjörn Tryggvason (vocals), and Per Wiberg (vocals)
  • Musical style: Progressive black metal, progressive metal, Viking metal
  • Sound: Inventive, original, powerful, complex, yet raw, the sound on Enslaved's amazing "Roadburn Live" is nothing short of brilliant!  Of the album, Roadburn’s Artistic Director Walter Hoeijmakers had this to say: "Enslaved’s 2015 performances were the pinnacle of this enduring and artistic friendship, and showcased the massive influence the band has had on both Roadburn, and the (underground) metal scene for the past two decades. To have these shows captured on vinyl is a dream come true for me, and I truly hope it’s the same for anyone who was in attendance, or those who want to indulge themselves in the Northern magic of Enslaved.”
  • Major themes: Norse / Viking mythology, history, and lore, nature, life and death, etc. 
  • Tracks:   
  1. "Building With Fire"
  2. "Death In The Eyes Of Dawn"
  3. "In Times"
  4. "Daylight"
  5. "Convoys To Nothingness"
  6. "As Fire Swept Clean The Earth"
  7. "Isa"
  8. "Immigrant Song" (Led Zeppelin cover)


    Brew Info:
  • Brewery: Uinta Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
  • Website: http://uintabrewing.com/
  • Brew: Brett Tripel
  • Style: Belgian Style Tripel Ale
  • Serving: 25 ounce bottle
  • ABV: 8.5% 
  • Ingredients: Brewed with pink peppercorns and fermented with traditional Belgian yeasts and brettanomyces.
  • Pour: The Brett Tripel pours cloudy golden-peach amber with a frothy, 2-finger, sustained white head with lots of intricate spider web lacing throughout.
  • Nose: The nose is funky, fruity, floral, spicy, and malty.  There are aromas of wet horse blanket, lemon zest, Chardonnay, lemongrass, persimmon, cloves, soft banana, pink bubblegum, and cereal grains.
  • Taste: The taste follows the nose with a complex blend of fruit, malt, spice, and funk flavors.  There are notes of lemon, white grapes, Chardonnay, apple cider vinegar, barnyard funk, tangerine, light banana, pink bubblegum, pink peppercorns, cloves, allspice, light caramel, and bready malt.
  • Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel of the Brett Tripel is crisp, tart, and rather funky with a dry, peppery finish. 

Overall pairing:  The complex, bold, sharp, and enticing flavors of Uinta's Brett Tripel makes for an interesting bedfellow to Enslaved's brilliant live masterpiece, "Roadburn Live"!  Those pungent funk aromas and flavors are perfect for the intensity, aggression, and beauty that is the music of Enslaved!

Skål!! HAILS!!

Friday, September 8, 2017

September 8th, 2017 - Feelin' A Bit Hazy After Bathing At Baxter's



Good afternoon!  The Meista here getting in touch with his hippy side with a pairing of Jefferson Airplane's "After Bathing At Baxter's" and a Feelin' Hazy Double India Pale Ale from 2 Row Brewing!

Album Info:
  • Artist: Jefferson Airplane
  • Title: "After Bathing At Baxter's"
  • Recorded: June through October 1967 at RCA Studios in Hollywood, California
  • Release date: November 27th, 1967 (3rd studio album by Jefferson Airplane)
  • Record company: RCA Victor
  • Production: Al Schmitt
  • Album cover art: Ron Cobb 
  • Personnel: Marty Balin (rhythm guitar and vocals), Jack Casady (bass), Spencer Dryden (drums, percussion, and horn arrangement), Paul Kantner (rhythm guitar and vocals), Jorma Kaukonen (lead guitar, sitar, and vocals), and Grace Slick (piano, organ, recorder, and vocals)
  • Additional musicians: Gary Blackman (backing vocals) and Bill Thompson (backing vocals)
  • Musical style: Psychedelic rock, experimental art rock, blues rock, folk rock
  • Sound: More experimental than their 2 previous albums, with "After Bathing At Baxter's", Jefferson Airplane fully embraced their psychedelic, drug experimenting selves with inspiration from the Summer of Love and laid down an album that not only grooves, but challenges the listener!  It is characterized by richly textured, acid-drenched riffs and wonderfully melodic harmonies.  Jorma's brilliant guitar work really shines on this album as well!
  • Major themes: Life, love, peace, hope, drug experimentation, knowledge, freedom, rebellion, etc. 
  • Tracks:   
  1. "The Ballad of You & Me & Pooneil"
  2. "A Small Package Of Value Will Come To You, Shortly"
  3. "Young Girl Sunday Blues"
  4. "Martha"
  5. "Wild Tyme (H)"
  6. "The Last Wall of the Castle"
  7. "Rejoyce"
  8. "Watch Her Ride"
  9. "Spare Chaynge"
  10. "Two Heads"
  11. "Won't You Try / Saturday Afternoon"


    Brew Info:
  • Brewery: 2 Row Brewing (Midvale, Utah)
  • Website: http://2rowbrewing.com/
  • Brew: Feelin' Hazy Double India Pale Ale
  • Style: Double India Pale Ale (DIPA) / Imperial IPA (IIPA)
  • Serving: 12 ounce bottle
  • ABV: 9.0% 
  • Pour: The Feelin' Hazy pours a cloudy, golden-yellow hue with a bright white, 1-finger, firm head with good sustain and soapy lacing.
  • Nose: The nose is characterized by fruity (citrus and tropical fruit), earthy, herbal, and malty aromas.  There are notes of mango, pineapple, passionfruit, grapefruit rind, tangerine, orange, light pine resin, light onion, herbal tea, and soft caramel.
  • Taste: The taste follows the nose with lots of tropical fruit, citrus, sweet malt, and herbal flavors.  There are notes of pink grapefruit juice, orange peel, tangerine, lime, mango, melon, guava, light pine, toffee/caramel, and a hint of booze.
  • Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel of the Feelin' Hazy is sticky with a dry, slightly bitter and boozy finish.

Overall pairing: The bright, fruity, sweet, and malty flavors and aromas of 2 Row's tasty Feelin' Hazy Double India Pale Ale is a great brew to contemplate the groovier side of the Jefferson Airplane legacy and especially the psychedelic rhythms and harmonies of the wonderful "After Bathing At Baxter's"!

Cheers!!  Peace out!!

September 8th, 2017 - Impact Is Imminent From The Tropical Torpedo!



Good afternoon and happy Friday!  In anticipation and celebration of tonight's upcoming Exodus show here in Utah, I'm pairing a Tropical Torpedo Tropical IPA from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company with the legendary album "Impact Is Imminent"!

Album Info:
  • Artist: Exodus
  • Title: "Impact Is Imminent"
  • Recorded: December 1989 through January 1990 at Music Grinder and Record Two Mendocino Studios
  • Release date: June 21st, 1990 (4th studio album by Exodus)
  • Record company: Capitol Records
  • Production: The H-Team
  • Album cover art: Tommy Steele (art direction), Jenny Raislen (photography), and Stan Watts (illustration)
  • Personnel: Gary Holt (lead and rhythm guitars), Rick Hunolt (lead and rhythm guitars), Rob McKillop (bass guitar), John Tempesta (drums), and Steve "Zetro" Souza (vocals)
  • Musical style: Thrash metal, speed metal
  • Sound: Fast, aggressive and furious, the uncompromising sound on "Impact Is Imminent" is pure thrash and classic Exodus!  Along with Zetro's brutal vocals, Holt's and Hunolt's powerful guitar riffs really drive this album!
  • Major themes: Power, aggression, war, insanity, heavy metal, death, chaos, destruction, deception, etc. 
  • Tracks:   
  1. "Intro"
  2. "Impact Is Imminent"
  3. "A.W.O.L."
  4. "The Lunatic Parade"
  5. "Within The Walls Of Chaos"
  6. "Objection Overruled"
  7. "Only Death Decides"
  8. "Heads They Win (Tails You Lose)"
  9. "Changing Of The Guard"
  10. "Thrash Under Pressure"


Brew Info:
  • Brewery: Sierra Nevada Brewing Company (Chico, California)
  • Website: http://sierranevada.com/
  • Brew: Tropical Torpedo Tropical IPA
  • Style: American India Pale Ale (IPA)
  • Serving: 12 ounce bottle
  • ABV: 6.7% 
  • IBUs: 55
  • Ingredients: Ale yeast, Two-row Pale, Munich, and Honey malts, Amarillo hops for bittering, and finished with Mosaic, Citra, El Dorado, and Comet hops
  • Pour: The Tropical Torpedo Tropical IPA pours a slightly hazy, light golden yellow hue with a billowy and frothy 2-finger bright white head with great sustain and lots of intricate spider web lacing.
  • Nose: The nose is very fruity (tropical and citrus), grassy, and sweet.  There are aromas of tangerine, grapefruit, orange, lime, mango, papaya, and passionfruit along with light herbs, and soft caramel.
  • Taste: The taste is characterized by big tropical fruit and citrus flavors along with light malt.  There are notes of lush and juicy mango, pineapple, papaya, guava, passionfruit, grapefruit, and tangerine with light herbs, a hint of spice, and a sweet malty backbone.
  • Mouthfeel: Light-medium in body with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel of the Tropical Torpedo is crisp, yet creamy, slightly sticky, and smooth with light hoppy bitterness, and a dry, clean finish.

Overall pairing: The crisp, bright, and very hoppy drinkability of the Tropical Torpedo Tropical IPA from Sierra Nevada Brewing Company is a great brew for a hot early September day and perfect for the fast paced aggression of Exodus' brutal "Impact Is Imminent"!

HAILS!!

Sunday, September 3, 2017

September 3rd, 2017 - May Not Be Able To Buy A Thrill, But I Can Buy A Coffee Porter


Hello.  With the sad news of Walter Becker's passing today, I'm pairing Steely Dan's debut album, "Can't Buy A Thrill" with an Anchor Coffee Porter from Anchor Brewing Company.  This pairing is dedicated to the memory of Mr. Becker and all the Steely Dan fans out there.

Album Info:
  • Artist: Steely Dan
  • Title: "Can't Buy A Thrill"
  • Recorded: 1972 at The Village Recorder in Los Angeles, California
  • Release date: November 1972 (1st album by Steely Dan)
  • Record company: ABC Records / MCA Records
  • Production: Gary Katz
  • Album cover art: Robert Lockart
  • Personnel: Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (guitar, pedal steel guitar, and spoken word on "Only A Fool Would Say That"), Walter Becker (electric bass, backing vocals, and dual lead vocal on "Turn That Heartbeat Over Again"), Denny Dias (guitar and electric sitar), Donald Fagen (acoustic and electric pianos, plastic YC-30 organ, and lead vocals and backing vocals), Jim Hodder (drums, percussion, lead vocal on "Midnite Cruiser", and backing vocals), and David Palmer (lead vocals on "Dirty Work" and "Brooklyn" and backing vocals)
  • Additional musicians: Victor Feldman (percussion), Venetta Fields (backing vocals on "Brooklyn" and "Kings"), Clydie King (backing vocals on "Brooklyn" and "Kings"), Sherlie Matthews (backing vocals on "Brooklyn" and "Kings"), Elliott Randall (guitar), Jerome Richardson (tenor saxophone), and Snooky Young (flugelhorn)
  • Musical style: Rock, pop, post-boogie, R&B with elements of folk rock, mambo, swing, jazz, and Latin musical elements
  • Sound: Combining elements of jazz, R&B, and Latin grooves, the sound on "Can't Buy A Thrill" is a unique, very original, and richly textured tapestry of musical prowess, depth, and soul.  This album is perfect! Every track is genius... seriously!  
  • Major themes: With lyrics that delve into the tragic, themes on "Can't Buy A Thrill" include heartbreak, deception, rebellion, chronic loss, irony, isolation, solace, love, etc. 
  • Tracks:   
  1. "Do It Again"
  2. "Dirty Work"
  3. "Kings"
  4. "Midnite Cruiser"
  5. "Only A Fool Would Say That"
  6. "Reelin' In The Years"
  7. "Fire In the Hole"
  8. "Brooklyn (Owes The Charmer Under Me)"
  9. "Change Of The Guard"
  10. "Turn That Heartbeat Over Again"


    Brew Info:
  • Brewery: Anchor Brewing Company (San Francisco, California)
  • Website: https://www.anchorbrewing.com/
  • Brew: Anchor Coffee Porter
  • Style: American Porter
  • Serving: 12 ounce bottle
  • ABV: 6.7% 
  • Ingredients: Roasted 2-Row Pale, Caramel, Chocolate, and Black malts, along with top-fermenting yeast, Northern Brewer hops, and Four Barrel flash-chilled coffee
  • Pour: The Anchor Coffee Porter pours an opaque and deep mahogany chestnut brown with a creamy and billowy mocha, 1-finger head with great sustain and sudsy lacing.
  • Nose: The nose is roasty, toasty, nutty, and earthy.  There are aromas of fresh brewed dark roasted coffee, semi-sweet baker's chocolate, cocoa, oak, and burnt toffee.
  • Taste: The taste follows the nose with lots of coffee, chocolate, and malt flavor.  There are notes of dark coffee, bitter dark chocolate, bitter herbs, walnut, molasses, caramel, a hint of liquid smoke, and a hint of booze.
  • Mouthfeel: Full-bodied with lower carbonation, the mouthfeel of the Anchor Coffee Porter is smooth, creamy, and thick with a dry, slightly sharp, and bitter finish.

Overall pairing: The rich, earthy, smoky, and malty flavors of Anchor Brewing Company's Anchor Coffee Porter are perfect for a Sunday morning breakfast beer and for the complex grooves and jazz swing of Steely Dan's brilliant debut album, "Can't Buy A Thrill"!  And the best way I can think of honoring a musical genius right now!

Rest in peace Walter Becker.




Saturday, September 2, 2017

September 2nd, 2017 - Gettin' Loose 'N Lethal With A Few Citra Pale Ales


Good afternoon!  Your drinkin' pal the Meista here today pairing a Citra Pale Ale from Upslope Brewing Company and "Loose 'N Lethal", the wonderful and very underrated debut album by NWOBHM band Savage!

Album Info:
  • Artist: Savage
  • Title: "Loose 'N Lethal"
  • Recorded: 1983 at Ebony Studios in Hull, England
  • Release date: 1983
  • Record company: Ebony Records
  • Production: Darryl Johnson and Savage
  • Album cover art: Andrew Warwick
  • Personnel: Chris Bradley (bass and lead vocals), Mark Brown (drums), Andrew Dawson (lead guitar and backing vocals), David Lindley (drums on tracks 9 through 11), and Wayne Renshaw (guitar) 
  • Musical style: Heavy metal, speed metal
  • Sound: Characterized by staccato riffs and buzz saw tone, the sound on "Loose 'N Lethal" is raw, fast-paced, aggressive NWOBHM brilliance!  Self-produced on a shoestring budget, the recording quality is somewhat low, but each track is a real gem and makes up for the roughness... which is actually rather endearing I feel.  With the opening track ("Let It Loose") you can see where the California thrash metal bands got the blueprints for their early sound!
  • Major themes: Rebellion, aggression, anger, power, etc. 
  • Tracks:   
  1. "Let It Loose"
  2. "Cry Wolf"
  3. "Berlin"
  4. "Dirty Money"
  5. "Ain't No Fit Place"
  6. "On The Rocks"
  7. "The China Run"
  8. "White Hot"
  9. "No Cause To Kill" (1980 demo)
  10. "The Devil Take You" (1980 demo)
  11. "Back On The Road" (1980 demo)


    Brew Info:
  • Brewery: Upslope Brewing Company (Boulder, Colorado)
  • Website: https://www.upslopebrewing.com/
  • Brew: Citra Pale Ale
  • Style: American Pale Ale (APA)
  • Serving: 12 ounce can
  • ABV: 5.8% 
  • IBUs: 37
  • Ingredients: Citra hops
  • Pour: The Citra Pale Ale pours a slightly hazy, bright golden orange hue with a frothy, 1-finger, white head with good sustain and lots of intricate lacing throughout.
  • Nose: The nose is characterized by lots of citrus, tropical fruit, slightly bitter hops, and sweet malt.  There are aromas of grapefruit rind, tangerine, lemon zest, mango, pineapple, and light caramel.
  • Taste: The taste is fruity, citrusy, and lightly malty.  There are notes of pink grapefruit juice and rind, tangerine, lime, mango, pineapple, herbal tea, and light caramel/toffee.
  • Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and well-carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Citra Pale Ale is very crisp and juicy with a semi-dry and slightly bitter, but clean finish.

Overall pairing: The Citra Pale Ale from Upslope Brewing Company is very hop-forward, drinkable, crisp, and juicy brew that goes down easy... perfect for the powerful guitar crunch of Savage's fantastic "Loose 'N Lethal"!  Those punchy, citrusy, and bitter hops really enhance Dawson's driving riffs and Bradley's aggressive, yet melodic vocals!

Cheers and hails!!

September 1st, 2017 - In Cahoots With By-Tor And The Snow Dog


Good evening and happy Friday... of a long weekend!  The Meista here tonight rocking out to Rush's amazing "Fly By Night" with a Cahoots Flanders Style Red Ale from Uinta Brewing Company!  Hell yeah!!

Album Info:
  • Artist: Rush
  • Title: "Fly By Night"
  • Recorded: September through December 1974 at Toronto Sound Studios in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Release date: February 15th, 1975 (2nd studio album by Rush)
  • Record company: Anthem Records / Mercury Records
  • Production: Rush and Terry Brown
  • Album cover art: Eraldo Carugati
  • Personnel: Geddy Lee (bass, classical guitar, keyboards, and vocals), Alex Lifeson (electric and acoustic guitars), and Neil Peart (drums and percussion)
  • Musical style: Hard rock, proto metal, progressive rock
  • Sound: "Fly By Night" is the first Rush album to feature drummer Neil Peart (and one of my all-time favorite albums).  Along with taking the helm as drummer, Peart also took over the writing of lyrics for the band, which would lead Rush to adopt a far more literary and socially focused approach as opposed to the more Led Zeppelin influenced, hard rock lyrics of their debut album.  "Fly By Night" is one of Rush's faster paced, more rocking albums.  Geddy Lee's bass work and vocals on this album are wonderful... bass work is intricate, driving, and heavy as hell... vocals are otherworldly and high as shit!  Alex Lifeson's guitar work is an attack of sonic acrobatics... rich, complex, and oh so tasty! (Just listen to that tone in "In The End"!!)  And Peart's drumming is vibrant, youthful, and simply brilliant!  (Just listen to the drum roll toward the end of "Anthem"!)  Oh, sooooo, soooo good!!
  • Major themes: Songs like "By-Tor & the Snow Dog" and "Rivendell" delve into the realm of fantasy while "Anthem" features lyrics inspired by Ayn Rand's book of the same name.  The title track is an autobiographical song about Peart's experience in moving to London from Canada (briefly) before he joined Rush.  "Best I Can" is simply about rocking and rolling and the pursuit of personal excellence.  "Making Memories" delves into the importance of living each and every moment to its fullest.  And "In The End" (a favorite of mine) explores honesty and love... without sentimentality.
  • Tracks:   
  1. "Anthem"
  2. "Best I Can"
  3. "Beneath, Between & Behind"
  4. "By-Tor & the Snow Dog"
  5. "Fly By Night"
  6. "Making Memories"
  7. "Rivendell"
  8. "In The End"


    Brew Info:
  • Brewery: Uinta Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
  • Website: http://www.uintabrewing.com/
  • Brew: Cahoots Flanders Style Red Ale
  • Style: Flanders Oud Bruin
  • Serving: 22 ounce bottle
  • ABV: 8.0% 
  • IBUs: 25
  • Ingredients: Brewed with rich caramel malt (Special B, CaraMunich), Vanguard hops, and fermented with a blend of wild yeast and bacteria.  Aged in port barrels for 18 months.
  • Pour: The Cahoots Flanders Style Red Ale pours a deep mahogany red with a half-finger, frothy, off-white head that dissipates to a thin, but sustained ring and film with good lacing.
  • Nose: The nose is fruity, tart, and a little funky.  There are aromas of plum juice, port wine, oak, black cherry juice, apple cider vinegar, a light barnyard funk, and light caramel.
  • Taste: The taste of the Cahoots Flanders Style Red Ale is like the nose... lots of big dark fruit (plum, raisin, and black cherry), sour notes (lemon juice and apple cider vinegar), port wine, light oak, and light toffee/caramel.
  • Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and moderately carbonated, the mouthfeel is very tart, very crisp, and slightly funky, with a dry, lip-puckering finish.

Overall pairing: The complex, tart, and sweet aromas and flavors of Uinta's wonderful Cahoots Flanders Style Red Ale is the perfect brew for a hot summer night whilst rocking out to one of the greats... Rush's brilliant "Fly By Night!  'Nuff said!

Cheers!!  All hail Rush!!