May 16th, 2022 - Cats And Neon Balloon Dogs

 

Hello and happy Monday artisan beer drinkers, rockers, and rollers!  The Meista here today rocking out to a pairing of "Cats And Dogs" by AOR band Talisman and a Neon Balloon Dog New England India Pale Ale from Lone Pine Brewing Company!  Yeah!!

Album Info:

• Artist: Talisman
• Title: "Cats And Dogs"
• Recorded: 2003 at Planet Studios in Acqui Terme, Italy
• Release date: May 12th 2003 (6th full length studio album by Talisman)
• Record company: Frontier Records
• Production: Marcel Jacob and Jeff Scott Soto 
• Album cover art: Giulio Cataldo
• Personnel: Fredrik Åkesson (guitars), Jamie Borger (drums), Marcel Jacob (bass), and Jeff Scott Soto (vocals)
• Musical style: Hard rock with elements of rock, heavy metal, blues rock, and a little funk
• Sound: Blending a classic hard rock and heavy metal sound with blues rock and even some funk, the sound on "Cats And Dogs" is pure, high-octane, classic Talisman!  As with all of his projects, Jeff Scott Soto delivers powerful, soaring vocals.  The band is tight and the tunes are rockin'!  What's not to love?
• Major themes: Love, loss, relationships, rock and roll, rebellion, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Skin On Skin"
2. "Break It Down Again"
3. "In Make Believe"
4. "Love Will Come Again"
5. "Outta My Way"
6. "Friends To Strangers"
7. "Sorry"
8. "Trapped"
9. "M.O.M."
10. "Wherever Whenever Whatever"
11. "Lost In The Wasteland'
12. "Hell In Paradise"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Lone Pine Brewing Company (Portland, Maine)
• Website: https://lonepinebrewery.com
• Brew: Neon Balloon Dog New England India Pale Ale
• Style: New England India Pale Ale (NEIPA)
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 6.0%
• Pour: The Neon Balloon Dog pours a hazy, bright golden-yellow hue with a bubbly, 1-finger, bright white head with good retention and lots of soapy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is citrusy, fruity, and slightly sweet.  There are aromas of grapefruit rind, orange zest, lemon zest, tangerine, mango, fresh pineapple, sweet berries, fresh peach, and soft caramel.
• Taste: The taste of the Neon Balloon Dog is hoppy, juicy and malty.  There are notes of tangerine, orange, pink grapefruit juice, mango, peach, apricot, melon, passion fruit, pineapple, sweet biscuit, and caramel.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel of the Neon Balloon Dog is very crisp and juicy, yet smooth with a dry, fairly clean finish.

Overall pairing: The Neon Balloon Dog from Lone Pine Brewing Company is a juicy, hoppy, complex, and punchy, yet very drinkable brew... a great brew to crush whilst rockin' to the killer hooks, melodies, and riffs of Talisman's "Cats And Dogs"!  The hoppy elements work great with soaring vocals and guitars, while the malty backbone is great for thunderous rhythms and grooves!

Cheers!!  Hails!!