July 22nd, 2018 - V For A Fifth Element

Good evening!  The Meista here tonight pairing the wonderful "V" by prog rockers Spock's Beard with a Fifth Element Farmhouse Ale from the Utah Brewers Cooperative (Squatters Brewery)!

Album Info:

• Artist: Spock's Beard
• Title: "V"
• Recorded: 2000 at Lawnmower and Garden Supply in Pasadena, California
• Release date: August 22nd, 2000 (5th studio album by Spock's Beard)
• Record company: Inside Out Music
• Production: Spock's Beard and Neal Morse
• Album cover art: Thomas 
• Personnel: Nick D'Virgilio (drums, percussion, and backing vocals), Dave Meros (bass guitar, stand up bass, French horn, and backing vocals), Alan Morse (electric guitars, cello, sampler, and backing vocals), Neal Morse (piano, synthesizers, acoustic guitars, and lead vocals), and Ryo Okumoto (Hammond organ and Mellotron)
• Additional musicians: Chris Carmichael (violin, viola, and cello), Katie Hagen (French horn), Kathy Ann Lord (English horn), and Joey Pippin (trumpet)
• Musical style: Progressive rock, power pop, psychedelic rock
• Sound: Blending classic progressive rock (in the tradition of Yes, Genesis, and ELP) with modern rock and a good dose of Beatles influence, "V" is a breathtaking, complex, and brilliant musical journey!  
• Major themes: Life, relationships, knowledge, spiritualism, honesty, truth, hope, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "At The End Of The Day"
2. "Revelation"
3. "Thoughts (Part II)
4. "All On A Sunday"
5. "Goodbye To Yesterday"
6. "The Great Nothing"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Utah Brewers Cooperative (Squatters Brewery)
• Website: http://www.squatters.com/default.aspx
• Brew: Fifth Element Farmhouse Ale
• Style: Farmhouse Ale / Saison 
• Serving: 25 ounce bottle
• ABV: 6.75%
• Pour: The Fifth Element pours a murky golden peach hue with a thin, bright white head that quickly dissipates leaving very little head and virtually no lacing.
• Nose: The nose is funky, fruity, floral, and earthy.  There are aromas of Belgian yeast, lemon, grapefruit, soft banana, wild flowers, horse blanket, wet hay, and old oak.
• Taste: The taste of the Fifth Element is funky, earthy, citrusy, and tart.  There are notes of Belgian yeast, barnyard funk, lemon juice and zest, pear juice, grapefruit, and oak.    
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and well carbonation, the mouthfeel is crisp, smooth, yet tart with a dry, slightly peppery finish.

Overall pairing: The Squatters Fifth Element Farmhouse Ale is a delightfully complex, flavorful, and funky brew... right in line with the depth, musical prowess, and complexities of Spock's Beard's "V"!

Cheers!!