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!!