September 25th, 2021 - Keeper Of The Seventh Wonder

 

Guten nachmittag rockers and artisan beer lovers!  Your pal the Meista here with another rockin' pairing for ya... a crisp and tasty 7th Wonder Pale Ale from Talisman Brewing Company and the amazing and classic "Keeper Of The Seven Keys: Part 1" from German metallers Helloween!  Hell yeah!

Album Info: 

• Artist: Helloween
• Title: "Keeper Of The Seven Keys: Part 1"
• Recorded: November 1986 through January 1987 at Horus Sound Studios in Hannover, Germany 
• Release date: April 21st, 1987 (2nd studio album by Helloween)
• Record company: Victor Records 
• Production: Tommy Hansen and Tommy Newton
• Album cover art: Edda and Uwe Karczewski
• Personnel: Kai Hansen (guitars), Markus Grosskopf (bass), Michael Kiske (lead vocals), Ingo Schwichtenberg (drums), and Michael Weikath (guitars)
• Additional musicians: Tommy Hansen (emulator)
• Musical style: Power metal, speed metal with elements of neo-classical metal and progressive metal
• Sound: Guitar and vocally driven, "Keeper Of The Seven Keys: Part 1" is probably one of Helloween's more important and powerful albums!  The band is incredibly tight, the song structure is complex, yet fast and rocking!  And they explore a range of metal styles while still staying true to form.  Kiske displays his vocal prowess over a canvas of soaring guitars, thunderous bass, and machine gun fire drumming!
• Major themes: Life, living in the moment, the passage of time, dreams, mythology, fantasy, good vs. evil, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Initiation"
2. "I'm Alive"
3. "A Little Time"
4. "Twilight Of The Gods"
5. "A Tale That Wasn't Right"
6. "Future World"
7. "Halloween"
8. "Follow The Sign"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Talisman Brewing Company (Ogden, Utah)
• Website: https://talismanbrewingco.com/ 
• Brew: 7th Wonder 
• Style: American Pale Ale (APA)
• Serving: 25.4 ounce crowler can
• ABV: 5.0%
• Ingredients: Idaho 7 and Idaho Gem hops
• Pour: The 7th Wonder pours a clear, golden-amber hue with a bright white, half-finger head with good retention and sticky, intricate lacing.
• Nose: The nose is characterized by citrusy, earthy, dank, and floral hops, crackery and slightly sweet malt, and light caramel.  There are aromas of grapefruit rind, pine resin, light onion, toasted biscuit, soft caramel, and grassy hops.
• Taste: The taste is citrusy, earthy, toasty, hoppy, and slightly sweet.  There are notes of grapefruit juice, tangerine, pine, crackery biscuit, grassy hops, and light caramel.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel of the 7th Wonder is very crisp and slightly bitter with a dry, clean finish.

Overall pairing: The hoppy, earthy, citrusy, and toasty flavors of the Talisman 7th Wonder Pale Ale works great with the complex, yet incredibly fun metal punch of Helloween's wonderful "Keeper Of The Seven Keys: Part 1"!  The slightly bitter hops go well with the fiery guitars, while the sweeter notes are perfect for Kiske's amazing vocals!

PROST!!  HAILS!!