November 22nd, 2019 - Entering The Realm Of The Slick City Citrus

Hello and happy Friday!  The Meista here starting the weekend off the right way with a pairing of "Enter The Realm" EP by the legendary metal monsters Iced Earth and a Slick City Citrus IPA from Shades Brewing Company!


Album Info:

• Artist: Iced Earth
• Title: "Enter The Realm" EP
• Recorded: at Morrison Studios in Tampa, Florida
• Release date: Originally released on April 12th, 1989; rereleased April 12th, 2019 (1st EP by Iced Earth)
• Record company: Century Media Records
• Production: Iced Earth
• Album cover art: Brian Rathert 
• Personnel: Dave Abell (bass), Gene Adam (vocals), Greg Seymore (drums), Jon Schaffer (rhythm guitar and backing vocals), and Randy Shawver (lead guitar)
• Musical style: Heavy metal, power metal, speed metal
• Sound: Raw, fast, furious, and fun as hell, Iced Earth's first EP with the original lineup is not only an interesting piece of metal history, it is also a kickass and defining piece of work!
• Major themes: Good vs. evil, violence, darkness, power, destruction, nightmares, etc.
• Tracks:  

1. "Enter The Realm"
2. "Colors"
3. "Nightmares"
4. "To Curse The Sky"
5. "Solitude"
6. "Iced Earth"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Shades Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: https://www.shadesbrewing.beer/
• Brew: Slick City Citrus IPA 
• Style: American India Pale Ale (IPA)
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 7.2%
• Pour: The Slick City Citrus IPA pours a very cloudy golden orange with a 1+ finger, creamy white head with sticky, soapy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is citrusy, fruity, dank, earthy, floral, and sweet.  There are aromas of grapefruit rind, orange juice, orange peel, tangerine, mango, pineapple, pine resin, herbal tea, wild flowers, and a hint of toffee.
• Taste: The taste of the Slick City Citrus IPA is juicy, citrusy, fruity, earthy, sweet, and malty.  There are notes of pink grapefruit juice, tangerine, orange, mango, and pineapple with light pine, green hops, and soft caramel.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is crisp, juicy, refreshing, and slightly sharp with a dry and mildly bitter finish. 

Overall pairing: The crisp, bright, and citrusy flavors and aromas of Shades' delightful Slick City Citrus IPA is a great companion for the fast-paced hard rockin' brilliance that is Iced Earth!  Those bold citrus hop notes go great with the power, depth, and complexity of vocals, bass, and songwriting, while the sweeter notes are perfect for the soaring guitar work of Schaffer and Shawver!

Cheers and hails!!