July 12th, 2019 - The Official Verdict

Good evening and happy Friday rockers, rollers, and hop-lovers!  The Meista here tonight rocking the hell out to a pairing of Queensrÿche's latest kickass album "The Verdict" and an Offical Hazy India Pale Ale from Bell's Brewery, Inc.!  This pairing goes out to my good friends Sonia and Jason who brought me this wonderful brew!  Cheers and thank you!

Album Info:

• Artist: Queensrÿche
• Title: "The Verdict"
• Recorded: 2018 at Uberbeatz in Lynwood, Washington; Planet-Z in Wilbraham, Massachusetts; and Watershed Studio in Seattle, Washington
• Release date: March 1st, 2019 (15th studio album by Queensrÿche)
• Record company: Century Media Records
• Production: Chris "Zeuss" Harris
• Album cover art: JW
• Personnel: Eddie Jackson (bass and backing vocals), Todd La Torre (lead vocals and drums), Parker Lundgren (rhythm guitar), and Michael Wilton (lead guitar)
• Additional musicians: Craig Blackwell (keyboards), Chris "Zeuss" Harris (keyboards), Olga Jackson (narration on "Light-Years"), Alia Rabah (narration on "Blood Of The Levant" and Jesse Smith (snare on "Blood Of The Levant")
• Musical style: Progressive metal, heavy metal
• Sound: Musically ambitious, compelling, powerful, and focused, with amazing vocals the sound on "The Verdict" is definitive Queensrÿche!  La Torre's vocal range is massive; it reminds me of Geoff Tate and Nils K. Rue of Pagan's Mind.  Wilton and Lundgren lay down some wonderfully rich and fiery guitar licks while Jackson and La Torre drive a heavy rythm!
• Major themes: Life, death, humanity, reality, technology, politics, deception, power, etc.
• Tracks:   

1.  "Blood Of The Levant"
2. "Man The Machine"
3. "Light-Years"
4. "Inside Out"
5. "Propaganda Fashion"
6. "Dark Reverie"
7. "Bent"
8. "Inner Unrest"
9. "Launder The Conscience"
10. "Portrait"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Bell's Brewery, Inc. (Kalamazoo, Michigan)
• Website: http://www.bellsbeer.com/
• Brew: Offical Hazy India Pale Ale
• Style: New England India Pale Ale (NEIPA)
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 6.4%
• IBUs: 55
• Ingredients: Double dry-hopped combination of Mosaic, Citra, Azacca, Amarillo, and El Dorado hops,l and wheat malt
• Pour: The Official pours a very hazy bright orange with a frothy, bright white, 1+ finger head with good retention and sticky, intricate lacing.
• Nose: Hop-forward, the nose is citrusy, fruity, grainy, and slightly sweet.  There are aromas of peach, light apricot, pineapple, grapefruit, orange, herbal tea, wheat bread, honey, soft caramel, and a hint of cream.
• Taste: Similar to the nose, the taste of the Official is characterized by citrus, tropical fruit, crackery grain, and sweet malt flavors.  There are notes of pineapple, peach, orange, mango, grapefruit, very light pine, light honey, and soft caramel.
• Mouthfeel: Medium in body and moderately carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Official is very crisp, juicy, and smooth with a dry, slightly bitter finish

Overall pairing: The punchy, fruity, and complex flavors and aromas of Bell's Official is perfect for the brilliant musical intensity of Queensrÿche's wonderful "The Verdict"!  I highly recommend both!!

Cheers!!  Rock on!!