December 16th, 2017 - The Kumquat Diary Of The pFriem Family Brewers

Good evening!  The Meista here tonight pairing "The Diary" by The Gentle Storm and a Kumquat Farmhouse Ale from pFriem Family Brewers!

Album Info:

• Artist: The Gentle Storm
• Title: "The Diary"
• Recorded: April 2014 through early 2015
• Release date: March 23rd, 2015 (1st full-length studio album by The Gentle Storm)
• Record company: InsideOut Music
• Production: Arjen Anthony Lucassen
• Album cover art: Alexandra V. Bach
• Personnel: Anneke van Giersbergen (lead and backing vocals) and Arjen Anthony Lucassen (electric and acoustic guitars, electric and acoustic bass guitars, keyboards, and hammered dulcimer)
• Additional musicians: Jenneke de Jonge (French horn), Epic Rock Choir (choir), Jeroen Goossens (wind instruments), Ben Mathot (violin), Michael Mills (Irish bouzouki), Hinse Mutter (double bass), Maaike Peterse (cello), Rob Snijders (percussion), Timo Somers (guitar solo), Joost van den Broek (piano), Johan van Stratum (bass), and Ed Warby (drums)
• Musical style: Progressive rock/metal with elements of symphonic metal, jazz, folk rock, and world music
• Sound: Highlighting Anneke van Giersbergen's angelic voice, the sound on "The Diary" is melodic, harmonic, and wonderfully crafted!  It really displays the brilliance and musical prowess of Arjen Anthony Lucassen!
• Major themes: A concept album set in the late 1600s during the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th Century, the story is about the lives of Joseph Warwijck and Susanne Vermeer.  Themes include love, loss, travel, the sea, the importance of family history, birth, life, and death, etc.
• Tracks:  

Disc 1 

1. "Endless Sea" (Gentle Version)
2. "Heart Of Amsterdam" (Gentle Version)
3. "The Greatest Love" (Gentle Version)
4. "Shores Of India" (Gentle Version)
5. "Cape Of Storms" (Gentle Version)
6. "The Moment" (Gentle Version)
7. "The Storm" (Gentle Version)
8. "Eyes Of Michiel" (Gentle Version)
9. "Brightest Light" (Gentle Version)
10. "New Horizons" (Gentle Version)
11. "Epilogue: The Final Entry" (Gentle Version)

Disc 2 (Storm Version)

1. "Endless Sea" (Storm Version)
2. "Heart Of Amsterdam" (Storm Version)
3. "The Greatest Love" (Storm Version)
4. "Shores Of India" (Storm Version)
5. "Cape Of Storms" (Storm Version)
6. "The Moment" (Storm Version)
7. "The Storm" (Storm Version)
8. "Eyes Of Michiel" (Storm Version)
9. "Brightest Light" (Storm Version)
10. "New Horizons" (Storm Version)
11. "Epilogue: The Final Entry" (Storm Version)

Brew Info:

• Brewery: pFriem Family Brewers (Hood River, Oregon)
• Website: http://www.pfriembeer.com/
• Brew: Kumquat Farmhouse Ale
• Style: Farmhouse Ale / Saison
• Serving: 12 ounce bottle
• ABV: 4.9%
• IBUs: 24
• Ingredients: Gambrinus Pilsner, Spelt, and Raw Wheat malts; German Tettnang, Huell Melon, and Motueka hops; Farmhouse Ale yeast and Brettanomyces Bruxellensis Trois Vrai secondary yeast
• Pour: The Kumquat Farmhouse Ale pours a hazy and bright golden-peach hue with a white, bubbly 1+ finger head with good sustain and lacing.
• Nose: The nose is fruity, tart, sweet.  There are aromas of kumquat, lemon, tangerine, and  papaya along with hints of wet leather, crackery biscuit, and a hint of organic honey.
• Taste: The taste of the Kumquat Farmhouse Ale is tart, citrusy, tropical, and vegetal.  There are notes of kumquat, pineapple, orange juice, carrot juice, lemon, and a hint of barnyard funk.  
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and moderately carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Kumquat Farmhouse Ale is tart, spritzy, and crisp with a slightly tart and dry finish.

Overall pairing: The complexity, crispness, and drinkability of the wonderful Kumquat Farmhouse Ale from pFriem Family Brewers is the perfect companion to the beauty, depth, and brilliance of the wonderful "The Diary" by The Gentle Storm!
    

Proost!!  Gezondheid!!