March 16th, 2025 - Regarding Zumo's First Kiss... You Gotta Lean Into It!

 

Hello and happy Sunday rockers, rollers, and hop lovers!  The Meista here today with a pairing of a tasty and hoppy Zumo's First Kiss Pale Ale from my friends at Fisher Brewing Company and "Lean Into It", the sophomore studio album (34 years old this month!) by the mighty Mr. Big!  Hells yeah!

Album Info:

• Artist: Mr. Big
• Title: "Lean Into It"
• Recorded: Late 1990 through early 1991 at 
• Release date: March 26th, 1991 (2nd full-length studio album by Mr. Big)
• Record company: Atlantic Records
• Production: Kevin Elson
• Album cover art: Bob Defrin (art direction) and William Holmes (photography)
• Personnel: Paul Gilbert (electric guitars, acoustic guitars, backing vocals, handclaps, and electric drill), Eric Martin (lead vocals and handclaps), Billy Sheehan (bass, six-string bass on "Just Take My Heart", backing vocals, handclaps, and electric drill), and Pat Torpey (drums, percussion, handclaps, and backing vocals)
• Musical style: Hard rock, glam metal, rock and roll
• Sound: Building off the sound of th band's 1989 eponymous debut album, with "Lean Into It", Mr. Big's sound is well, BIG on this album!  Powerhouse guitars, bass, and drumming from three of the most talented musicians in the industry, along with wonderfully harmonious vocals of Eric Martin!  The songs are perfectly executed, the band is incredibly tight, and the riffs will grab you and not let go!
• Major themes: Love, loss, relationships, life, rock and roll, desire, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy (The Electric Drill Song)"
2. "Alive And Kickin'"
3. "Green-Tinted Sixties Mind"
4. "CDFF-Lucky This Time"
5. "Voodoo Kiss"
6. "Never Say Never"
7. "Just Take My Heart"
8. "My Kinda Woman"
9. "A Little Too Loose"
10. "Road To Ruin"
11. "To Be With You"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Fisher Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: http://www.fisherbeer.com/
• Brew: Zumo's First Kiss
• Style: American Pale Ale (APA)
• Serving: 32 ounce crowler can
• ABV: 5.0%
• IBUs: 35
• Ingredients: Zumo hops
• Pour: The Zumo's First Kiss pours a fairly clear, golden amber hue with a billowy and frothy, bright white, half-finger head with great sustain and lots of sudsy, sticky, and layered lacing.
• Nose: The nose is characterized by citrusy, fruity, floral, earthy, and herbal hops, and more subtle sweeter malts.  There are aromas of grapefruit rind, lime juice, lemon zest, tangerine, light mango, herbal tea, light pine resin, wildflowers, doughy bread, toasted malts, and soft, sweet caramel/toffee.
• Taste: The taste of the Zumo's First Kiss is citrusy, slightly fruity, earthy, and herbal along with crackery maltiness.  There are notes of lime juice and zest, orange juice, grapefruit juice, tangerine, light mango, pineapple, soft peach, light pine, black tea, crackery biscuit, and soft caramel/toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is crisp, slightly bitter, yet smooth with a dry, bitter finish

Overall pairing: The inviting hoppy flavors and aromas of the delicious and very crushable Zumo's First Kiss Pale Ale from Fisher Brewing Company is great for a cranked up!  Those complex hop flavors got great with the complexity and musicianship!  'Nuff said!

Cheers and hails my friends... rock on!!