October 14th, 2022 - Happiness Is The Road To The Honey Mile

 

Hello and happy Friday everyone!  The Meista here today pairing "Happiness Is The Road", the rockin' sophomore solo album (on its 11th birthday) by the late, great vocalist Fergie Frederiksen and a tasty and tart Honey Mile from Cascade Brewing!

Album Info:

• Artist: Fergie Frederiksen
• Title: "Happiness Is The Road"
• Recorded: 2011 at HOFA Studios The TrakShak in Germany 
• Release date: October 14th, 2011 (2nd full-length solo studio album by Fergie Frederiksen)
• Record company: Frontiers Records
• Production: Dennis Ward, Jim Peterik, and Serafino Perugina
• Album cover art: Giulio Cataldo (art direction) and Nello Dell'Omo (artwork) 
• Personnel: Fergie Frederiksen (lead vocals) 
• Additional musicians: Filipe Beyer (keyboards), Matt Brandon (guitars and backing vocals), Dirk Bruinenbeg (drums), Nathan Eshman (guitars), Alex Ligertwood (backing vocals), Gui Oliver (backing vocals), Jim Peterik (backing vocals), Eric Ragno (keyboards), Hemerson Vieira (bass), and Dennis Ward (guitars, bass, keyboards, and backing vocals)
• Musical style: Rock, pop, hard rock, AOR
  
• Sound: Blending rock, pop, and hard rock, the highlight on this album of course is Fergie's amazing vocals!  His combined range, warmth, and depth is truly inspiring! 
• Major themes: Life, love, loss, journeys, honesty, hope, etc.
• Tracks:  

1. "Angel"
2. "Elaine"
3. "First To Cry"
4. "Follow Your Heart"
5. "Happiness Is The Road"
6. "I Still Believe"
7. "Lyin Eyes"
8. "Love Waits For No One"
9. "Writing On The Wall"
10. "The Future Ain't What It Used To Be"
11. "The One"
12. "The Savior"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Cascade Brewing (Portland, Oregon)
• Website: http://www.cascadebrewing.com/
• Brew: Honey Mile
• Style: American Wild Ale / Sour Ale
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 5.0% 
• Ingredients: Sour rye ale aged in oak barrels and foudres with chamomile flowers, Oregon wildflower honey, and lemon zest
• Pour: The Honey Mile pours a hazy golden amber with a frothy, 1-finger, bright white head that dissipates fairly quickly and leaves trace lacing.
• Nose: The nose is citrusy, floral, herbal, tart, oaky, and sweet.  There are aromas of Chamomile tea, lemon juice and zest, wildflowers, light oak, a hint of rye, and sweet honey.
• Taste: The taste of the Honey Mile follows the nose with lots of tart, citrusy, floral, and sweet flavors.  There are notes of tart lemon juice and cranberry, floral chamomile, light oaky notes, and sweet, earthy honey.
• Mouthfeel: Light to medium-bodied and well carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Honey Mile is very crisp and tart with a dry, slightly sweet finish.

Overall pairing: In the complex, earthy, and fruity aromas/flavors of the Honey Mile there are fantastically unique and bold characteristics, making it the perfect brew for the wonderfully enchanting and imaginative melodies of "Happiness Is The Road" by Fergie Frederiksen!  The funky and sour notes go great with the guitars while the sweeter honey and floral notes are perfect for Fergie's incredible vocals and the powerful rhythm section!

Cheers!!