November 14th, 2023 - Strange Haze Brew

 

Hey there rockers, rollers, and craft beer fanatics!  Your pal the Meista here with an old favorite of mine... "Strange Brew: The Very Best Of Cream", the brilliant album by the ultimate power trio, Cream along with a Strange Haze IPA, a tasty and hoppy brew from Highlander Beer!  Oh yeah!

Album Info:

• Artist: Cream
• Title: "Strange Brew: The Very Best Of Cream"
• Recorded: 1966 to 1968 at various studios
• Release date: 1983 (4th compilation album by the Cream)
• Record company: RSO / Polydor Records
• Production: Felix Pappalardi
• Album cover art: Alwyn Clayden (art direction) and Green Ink (design) 
• Personnel: Ginger Baker (drums, percussion, and vocals), Jack Bruce (lead vocals, bass, piano, and harmonica), and Eric Clapton (lead, rhythm, and acoustic guitars, and vocals)
• Musical style: Psychedelic rock with elements of hard rockin' blues and pop
• Sound: Probably one of the most influential rock bands of the mid to late 1960s (and beyond), the sound of Cream may not seem all that revolutionary now, but at the time it was a mind-bending experience of heavy-duty rock and roll, pop, heavy blues, and psychedelia.  50+ years later, it still sounds fresh and relevant.
• Major themes: Life, love, loss, sorrow, mythology, heartbreak, the blues, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Badge"
2. "Sunshine Of Your Love"
3. "Crossroads"
4. "White Room"
5. "Born Under A Bad Sign
6. "SWLABR"
7. "Strange Brew"
8. "Anyone For Tennis"
9. "I Feel Free"
10. "Politician"
11. "Tales Of Brave Ulysses"
12. "Spoonful"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Highlander Beer (Missoula, Montana)
• Website: https://www.highlanderbeer.com/
• Brew: Strange Haze IPA
• Style: India Pale Ale
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 7.4%
• IBUs: 45 
• Ingredients: Mosaic and Zythos hops
• Pour: The Strange Haze pours a bright, orange-yellow hue with a half-finger, eggshell white head with good retention and lots of sticky, soapy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is characterized by tropical, citrus, floral, and light malty notes.  There are aromas of fresh pineapple, mango, guava, tangerine, orange zest, wildflowers, and soft caramel.
• Taste: The taste of the Strange Haze follows the nose with citrus and tropical flavors with more subtle malt notes.  There are notes of pink grapefruit juice, tangerine, pineapple, mango, hints of caramel/toffee in the finish and light bitterness.
• Mouthfeel: Light to medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is crisp, juicy, and smooth with a dry, clean finish

Overall pairing: The classic, complex, heavy hitting sound of Cream's wonderful "Strange Brew: The Very Best of Cream" coupled with the delicious and juicy Strange Haze IPA make for a great evening of tasty brew and rockin' tunes!  'Nuff said!

Cheers!!  Rock on!!