March 13th, 2023 - (Non-Stop) Happy Houblon Moskau

 

"And now for something completely different..."

Hello and happy Monday craft brew freaks!  The Meista here pairing and a bold and complex Houblon Chouffe from Brasserie d'Achouffe with the rather whimsical, goofy, and very upbeat "(Non-Stop) Happy Moskau" by Andy Williamsen And His Pop Drivers!  My wife picked up this album for me when we were in Amsterdam back in January at Platypus Record Shop, and we enjoyed some tasty beers from Brasserie d'Achouffe while there as well!

Album Info:

• Artist: Andy Williamsen And His Pop Drivers
• Title: "(Non-Stop) Happy Moskau"
• Recorded: 1972 in Germany
• Release date: 1972 (studio album by Andy Williamsen And His Pop Drivers)
• Record company: Metronome Records GmbH
• Production: ?
• Album cover art: ?
• Personnel: Andy Williamsen And His Pop Drivers (orchestra) and Heinz Peter (arrangements)
• Musical style: Jazz, pop, easy listening with elements of polka
• Sound: Upbeat, jazzy, somewhat silly, the sound on "(Non-Stop) Happy Moskau" is pure, old-timey, pop party music! 
• Major themes: It is an instrumental album, so themes are open to interpretation.  However, some themes may include Russian, life, romance, partying, music, dancing, joy, night, winter, etc.  
• Tracks: 
1. "Moscow Nights / Katyusha / Black Eyes"
2. "Two Guitars / Lagienka / The Bell"
3. "Kalinka / The Red Sarafan / The Moon Shines Brightly"
4. "Ach, ihr Wege / Dusk / Cossack Lullaby"
5. "Rasposcholl / The Great Don"
6. "Song Of The Volga Boatmen / On Smooth Volga Ice / On The Volga"
7. "The Nightingale / Not The Wind Rustles In The Leaves / The Twelve Robbers"
8. "Stenka Rasin / The Seagull / Have Pity"
9. "On The Neva / Cornflower / Oh, Why So Beautiful"
10. "Lagerlied / Die Lerche"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Brasserie d'Achouffe (Houffalize, Belgium)
• Website: https://chouffe.com/en-gb/beers/houblon-chouffe/
• Brew: Houblon Chouffe
• Style: Belgian India Pale Ale (IPA)
• Serving: 12 ounce bottle
• ABV: 9.0%
• Ingredients: Tomahawk, Saaz, and Amarillo hops
• Pour: The Houblon Chouffe pours a slightly cloudy golden yellow hue with a very frothy, bright white, soft and fluffy 1+ finger head with good retention and lacing.
• Nose: The nose is characterized by fruity, hoppy, and bitter notes.  There are aromas of Belgian yeast, grapefruit rind, tangerine, bitter herbs, green tea leaves, pine resin, cannabis, bright grains, booze, and a hint of honey.
• Taste: Following the nose, the taste of the Houblon Chouffe is characterized by fruity, grainy, and pronounced bitterness.  There are notes of grapefruit, tangerine, pine, bitter tea, pale malts, and a hint of honey. 
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied and well-carbonated, the mouthfeel is very crisp and hoppy with a dry, bitter, and boozy finish.

Overall pairing: The Houblon Chouffe is a very complex and flavorful, yet crushable brew that demands your full attention... a perfect foil and companion to the upbeat, somewhat goofy, foot-stomping tunes of Andy Williamsen And His Pop Drivers!  

Cheers!!