July 31st, 2018 - Scotch Marbles

Good evening!  The Meista here tonight pairing a Scotch Ale from White Dog Brewing Company and the brilliant "Marbles" album by legendary prog rockers Marillion!  

Album Info:

• Artist: Marillion
• Title: "Marbles"
• Recorded: 2002 through 2004 at The Racket Club, Aylesbury, England
• Release date: April 27th, 2004 (13th studio album by Marillion)
• Record company: Intact
• Production: Dave Meegan
• Album cover art: Carl Glover
• Personnel: Steve Hogarth (vocals), Mark Kelly (keyboards), Ian Mosley (drums), Steve Rothery (guitars), and Pete Trewavas (bass)
• Musical style: Progressive rock, neo-progressive rock, art rock, alternative rock
• Sound: Ambitious, honest, complex, and utterly brilliant, "Marbles" may very well be Marillion's opus.  In the tradition of Genesis and Pink Floyd, "Marbles" is wonderfully rich and fulfilling musical journey like none other!  The band is incredibly tight - cohesive... and Hogarth's lyrics and vocal delivery are pure emotional brilliance!  The amazing "The Invisible Man" sets the tone and transports you to Marillion universe of soaring guitars, ethereal keys, and wonderfully rhythmic and driving drums and bass!
• Major themes: A concept album of sorts, themes on "Marbles" include isolation, states of being, insanity, sanity, loss, sorrow, reality, life, introspection, fear, enlightenment, honesty, love, hope, etc.
• Tracks:   

1. "The Invisible Man"
2. "Marbles I"
3. "Genie"
4. "Fantastic Place"
5. "The Only Unforgivable Thing"
6. "Marbles II"
7. "Ocean Cloud"
8. "Marbles III"
9. "The Damage"
10. "Don't Hurt Yourself"
11. "You're Gone"
12. "Angelina"
13. "Drilling Holes"
14. "Marbles IV"
15. "Neverland"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: White Dog Brewing Company (Bozeman, Montana)
• Website: http://www.whitedogbrewing.com/
• Brew: Scotch Ale
• Style: Scotch Ale / Wee Heavy
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 5.5%
• IBUs: 28
• Ingredients: Magnum hops
• Pour: The White Dog Scotch Ale pours a deep chestnut brown with flecks of mahogany red and a creamy, 1-finger, light beige head with good retention and lots of sticky, intricate lacing.
• Nose: The nose is malty, sweet, toasty, and roasty. There are aromas of hearty fresh baked bread, toasted grains, honey, roasted malts, cocoa, and sweet caramel.
• Taste: The taste of the Scotch Ale is very malty, sweet, earthy, and bready.  There are notes of cocoa, caramel/toffee, toasted bread, sweet biscuit, caramel/toffee, and roasted barley.
• Mouthfeel: Medium bodied and well carbonation, the Scotch Ale's mouthfeel is with a finish.

Overall pairing: The mellow, yet hearty and sweet characteristics of the White Dog Scotch Ale make it the perfect brew to enjoy on a warm summer evening whilst entranced by the incredible genius of Marillion's "Marbles"!

Cheers!!