April 20th, 2018 - Northern Lights - Southern Cross - Northeast IPA

Good evening and happy Friday!  The Meista here tonight grooving to "Northern Lights - Southern Cross" by The Band whilst enjoying a Northeast India Pale Ale from Kiitos Brewing Company!

Album Info:

• Artist: The Band
• Title: "Northern Lights - Southern Cross"
• Recorded: Spring and summer 1975 at Shangri-La Studio in Zuma Beach, California
• Release date: November 1st, 1975 (6th studio album by The Band)
• Record company: Capitol Records
• Production: The Band
• Album cover art: Bob Cato (art design and direction)
• Personnel: Rick Danko (bass guitar, double bass, guitar, violin, banjo, trombone, piano, and vocals), Levon Helm (drums, percussion, mandolin, guitar, bass guitar, harmonica, and vocals), Garth Hudson (organ, keyboards, accordion, saxophones, synthesizers, trumpet, oboe, clarinet, flute, and bass guitar), Richard Manuel (acoustic and electric piano, keyboards, organ, drums, lap steel guitar, percussion, and vocals), and Robbie Robertson (guitars, bass guitar, clavinet, melodica, and percussion)
• Additional musicians: Byron Berline (violin on "Acadian Driftwood")
• Musical style: Rock and roll, Folk rock, country rock, roots rock, R&B, blues rock
• Sound: This album just grooves and grooves!  Sadly, this was the swan song of all these guys playing together as The Band, but what a swan song it is!  They are all on top of their game and what a way to finish an amazing go!
• Major themes: Life, relationships, love, introspection, hope, joy, music, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "Forbidden Fruit"
2. "Hobo Jungle"
3. "Ophelia"
4. "Acadian Driftwood"
5. "Ring Your Bell"
6. "It Makes No Difference"
7. "Jupiter Hollow"
8. "Rags And Bones"
9. "Twilight" (alternate early version)
10. "Christmas Must Be Tonight" (alternate version)

    Brew Info:

• Brewery: Kiitos Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: http://kiitosbrewing.com/
• Brew: Northeast India Pale Ale
• Style: American India Pale Ale (IPA)
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 7.3% 
• IBUs: 40
• Pour: The Northeast IPA pours a hazy golden peach hue with half-finger, fizzy white head with good retention and lacing.
• Nose: The nose is very fruity (citrus and tropical fruit) with lighter earthy and malty notes.  There are aromas of orange juice, mango, pineapple, peach, light melon, light malt, a hint of pine, and light caramel.
• Taste: The taste of the Northeast IPA follows the nose ... lots of orange juice, grapefruit, tangerine, mango, melon, pineapple, light malt, and light caramel with very low bitterness.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and moderately carbonated, the Northeast IPA's mouthfeel is juicy, crisp, and refreshing with clean, sweet finish.

Overall pairing: The Kiitos Northeast India Pale Ale is a crisp, fruity, and very refreshing brew... great for the bright, yet complex grooves and harmonies of the legendary The Band!

Cheers!!