June 12th, 2023 - Riwaka... A New, Classic Master

 

Hello and happy Monday hopheads and rockers!  The Meista here today with a pairing of "Classic Masters" by Crowded House and a hoppy and crushable Riwaka Pale Ale from Offset Bier Company! 

Album Info: 

• Artist: Crowded House
• Title: "Classic Masters"
• Recorded: 1986 through 1993 at various studios in Los Angeles, California, Melbourne, Australia, and Karekare Beach, New Zealand
  Release date: June 24th, 2003 (3rd compilation album by Crowded House)
• Record company: Capitol Records
• Production: Mitchell Froom, Neil Finn, and Tchad Blake 
• Album cover art: ?
• Personnel: Neil Finn (lead vocals, guitars, keyboards, and percussion), Tim Finn (piano, guitars, and backing vocals), Mark Hart (keyboards, electric and acoustic guitars, lap steel guitar, mandolin, and backing vocals), Paul Hester (drums and backing vocals), and Nick Seymour (bass, backing vocals, and keyboards)
• Musical style: Rock, pop, alternative rock
• Sound: Blending well-written, melodic songs with sharp, thoughtful lyrics, Crowded House's sound is totally engaging, upbeat, and richly textured pop rock sensibility with elements of Irish folk music and traditional Māori music.
• Major themes: Life, love, relationships, loss, hope, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Something So Strong"
   
2. "Weather With You"
3. "When You Come" (live)
4. "Don't Dream It's Over"
5. "Fingers Of Love"
6. "Nails In My Feet"
7. "Never Be The Same"
8. "Chocolate Cake"
9. "It's Only Natural"
10. "Distant Sun" (remix)
11. "Sister Madly" (live)
12. "Hole In The River"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Offset Bier Company (Park City, Utah)
• Website: https://offsetbier.com/
• Brew: Riwaka Pale Ale
• Style: Pale Ale 
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 5.0%
• Ingredients: Riwaka hops
• Pour: The Riwaka Pale Ale pours a hazy, bright golden-yellow hue with a 1+ finger, frothy, bright white head with great retention and lots of sudsy lacing. 
• Nose: Fruit forward, the nose is tropical, citrusy, herbal, and malty.  There are aromas of gooseberry, zesty grapefruit rind, earthy herbs, light pineapple, a slight hint of pine resin, crackery biscuit, and soft caramel.
• Taste: The taste is like the nose: fruity, citrusy, hoppy, and slightly sweet.  There are notes of grapefruit juice, light orange juice, tangerine, mango, herbal tea, and soft sweet toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel of the Riwaka Pale Ale is very crisp, juicy, and smooth with a clean, slightly bitter finish.

Overall pairing: The punchy, yet smooth citrus and tropical fruit flavors of Offset Riwaka Pale Ale make it a great, drinkable beer!  It has lots of flavor and a hoppy kick... perfect for the !  'Nuff said! 

Cheers!