December 23rd, 2017 - A Supercool Backspacer

Hello and good afternoon my friends!  The Meista here launching the weekend with a Supercool IPA from Upright Brewing Company and Pearl Jam's "Backspacer"!

Album Info:

• Artist: Pearl Jam
• Title: "Backspacer"
• Recorded: February 16th through April 30th, 2009 at Henson Recording Studios in Hollywood, California and Southern Tracks Recording and Doppler in Atlanta, Georgia
• Release date: September 20th, 2009 (9th studio album)
• Record company: Monkeywrench Records
• Production: Brendan O'Brien
• Album cover art: Tom Tomorrow (aka Dan Perkins)
• Personnel: Jeff Ament (bass guitar), Matt Cameron (drums and percussion), Stone Gossard (guitar), Mike McCready (guitar), and Eddie Vedder (guitar and vocals)
• Additional musicians: Bruce Andrus (horn), Justin Bruns (violin), Richard Deane (horn), Danny Laufer (cello), Cathy Lynn (viola), Brendan O'Brien (backing vocals and piano), Christopher Pulgram (violin), and Susan Welty (horn)
• Musical style: Alternative rock, hard rock, post punk with elements of power pop and new wave
• Sound: Punchy, poppy, tight, and concise, the songs on "Backspacer" are engaging, fun, and back to the earlier roots of the band.  Vedder described the album as "really strong and uptempo, stuff we can sink our teeth into".
• Major themes: Drugs, rock and roll, "happiest times of people's lives when they should just take in the moment and breathe for a minute", love, relationships, support, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "Gonna See My Friend"
2. "Get Some"
3. "The Fixer"
4. "Johnny Guitar"
5. "Just Breathe"
6. "Amongst The Waves"
7. "Unthought Known"
8. "Supersonic"
9. "Speed Of Sound"
10. "Force Of Nature"
11. "The End"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Upright Brewing Company (Portland, Oregon)
• Website: http://www.uprightbrewing.com/
• Brew: Supercool IPA
• Style: American India Pale Ale (IPA)
• Serving: 25 ounce bottle
• ABV: 6.5%
• IBUs: 55
• Ingredients: Pale, Goldpils, and Special Roast malts; Chinook, Cascade, Crystal, Exp 7270, Vic Secret hops; Saison yeast
• Pour: The Supercool pours a very hazy golden with a massive 2+ finger, firm eggshell had with great retention and lots of intricate spider web lacing.
• Nose: The nose is citrusy, earthy, and spicy with a little funk.  There are aromas of lemon zest, lemon juice, grapefruit rind, mango, apricot, rich malts, and hints of wet leather and horse blanket.
• Taste: Hop-forward, the taste of the Supercool is citrusy, fruity, spicy, and a little funky.  There are notes of apricot, lemon, lime, grapefruit, orange zest and pith, "pale fruit esters and white pepper phenols".
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel of the Supercool IPA is very crisp and dry with a slightly bitter and peppery finish.

Overall pairing: The Upright Supercool IPA is a punchy, bright, very drinkable, yet complex brew... perfect for the poppier more optimistic feel and execution of Pearl Jam's great "Backspacer"!
    

Cheers!!