November 8th, 2024 - The Dirty King's Imperial Crown Jewel

 

Hello and happy Friday rockers, rollers, and hop freaks!  Your drinkin' buddy the Meista here pairing "Crown Jewel" the kick-ass, sophomore album by Colorado Springs hard rock band the Dirty Kings and a Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA from New Belgium Brewing Company!  Hell yeah!!

Album Info:

• Artist: Dirty Kings
• Title: "Crown Jewel"
• Recorded: 2021 at Avalanche Recording Studio in Northglenn, Colorado
• Release date: October 1st, 2021 (2nd full-length studio album by Dirty Kings)
• Record company: Plexi Dragon Music
• Production: Dirty Kings
• Album cover art: Chris Bishop
• Personnel: Jameson Becker (drums and backing vocals), Wade Cleaton (bass guitar and backing vocals), Shawn "Diggler" Fallahi (lead and rhythm guitars), John Gaster (lead and rhythm guitars, and backing vocals), and Andrew Sample (lead and backing vocals)
• Musical style: Hard rock, rock and roll, and a little heavy metal
• Sound: With influence from '70s hard rockers like AC/DC, Kiss, and UFO, the sound on "Crown Jewel" is pure, high octane, in-your-face rock and roll!  And if you thought their debut album was great, this is a step beyond!
• Major themes: Rebellion, rock and roll, danger, life, relationships, desire, foolishness, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Yes Man Alive"
2. "Locomotive Heart (Bloody Marie)"
3. "Crown Jewel"
4. "Let It Lie"
5. "Nowhere Fast"
6. "Trip Of Fools"
7. "Marquee Lady"
8. "Diggler's Delight"
9. "Shot To The Sky"
10. "Strangerous Ways"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: New Belgium Brewing Company (Fort Collins, Colorado)
• Website: http://www.newbelgium.com/
• Brew: Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA
• Style: American Double / Imperial IPA 
• Serving: 12 ounce bottle
• ABV: 9.0%
• IBUs: 70
• Pour: The Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA pours a slightly hazy copper-amber with a frothy and creamy, bright white head that displays lots of intricate and layered lacing throughout.
• Nose: The nose is dank, earthy, citrusy, and malty.  There are aromas of strong pine resin, grapefruit rind, tangerine peel, orange peel and juice, herbal tea, alight stone fruit, graham cracker, and caramel".
• Taste: The taste is characterized by piney, citrusy, and malty flavors.  There are notes of fresh cut pine, pink grapefruit juice, tangerine, orange zest, black tea, burnt toffee,
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is crisp, yet oily with a bittersweet and slightly boozy finish.

Overall pairing: The punchy and aggressive, yet complex flavors and aromas of New Belgium's great Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA is perfect for the power and energy of the Dirty Kings!  Those big pine and citrus notes are great for the straightforward rocking aggression, while the sweeter malt notes are great for the wonderful harmonies and overall grooves!

Cheers!!  Rock on!!