February 3rd, 2018 - The Spirit Of The Kiitos Coconut Stout

Good evening!  Tonight I'm pairing Kiitos Coconut Stout from Kiitos Brewing Company and the amazing debut, self-title album by the very underrated classic rock band Spirit!

Album Info:

• Artist: Spirit
• Title: "Spirit"
• Recorded: August 31st through November 1st, 1967 
• Release date: January 22nd, 1968 (1st album by Spirit)
• Record company: Ode Records
• Production: Lou Adler
• Album cover art: Guy Webster
• Personnel: Mark Andes (bass and backing vocals), Randy California (guitars and vocals), Ed Cassidy (drums and percussion), Jay Ferguson (lead vocals, percussion, and keyboards), and John Locke (keyboards)
• Musical style: Psychedelic rock, blues rock, progressive rock, hard rock, jazz fusion
• Sound: Well beyond its time, the sound on Spirit's debut album is wonderfully original, artistic, honest, and inspiring!  One of the most unsung influential bands of the late 1960s, with their debut album, the original Spirit lineup challenged the listener with intricate melodies, powerful hooks, and jazzy beats and grooves.  The late Randy California's guitar work is mind-blowing, Andes' soulful bass work coupled with Cassidy's brilliant drum work is a powerhouse of rhythmic integrity, Locke brings a certain je ne sais quoi that is not easily found in keyboard players of the time, and Ferguson is the quintessential frontman!
• Major themes: Life and death, love, desire, music, honesty, the future, , etc. 
• Tracks:   

1. "Fresh Garbage"
2. "Uncle Jack"
3. "Mechanical World"
4. "Taurus"
5. "Girl In Your Eye"
6. "Straight Arrow"
7. "Topanga Windows"
8. "Gramophone Man"
9. "Water Woman"
10. "Great Canyon Fire In General"
11. "Elijah"
12. "Veruska"
13. "Free Spirit"
14. "If I Had A Woman"
15. "Elijah" (Alternate Take)

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Kiitos Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: kiitosbrewing.com/
• Brew: Kiitos Coconut Stout
• Style: American Stout
• Serving: Pint glass off the tap
• ABV: 4.0% 
• IBUs: 24
• Pour: The Kiitos Coconut Stout pours an opaque and deep mahogany chestnut brown with a creamy and billowy mocha, 1-finger head with good sustain and lots of sudsy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is roasty, toasty, nutty, and earthy.  There are aromas of coconut, vanilla bean, fresh brewed dark roasted coffee, semi-sweet baker's chocolate, cocoa, and toffee.
• Taste: Like a Mounds bar, the taste is sweet, nutty, malty, and chocolaty.  There are big notes of nutty coconut, sweet milk chocolate dark chocolate, and cocoa, along with rich roasted malts, .
• Mouthfeel: Full-bodied with lower carbonation, the mouthfeel of the Kiitos Coconut Stout is smooth and creamy with a dry, sweet finish.

Overall pairing: The sweet, nutty, rich, chocolaty flavors and aromas of the Kiitos Coconut Stout is perfect for the introspective, honest, and wonderfully melodic rockin' tracks from Spirit's incredible debut album!  This is one of my all-time favorite albums and coupled with a Coconut Stout?!  Shit... pure heaven!!!

Cheers!!