May 17th, 2025 - Raiderstronomy in Tiny Bites

 

Hello and happy Saturday rockers, rollers, metal maniacs, and craft brew freaks!  The Meista here rocking the hell out to the "Raiderstronomy" by the very underrated New Wave of British Heavy Metal band Jameson Raid and a tasty and hoppy Tiny Bites Petite IPA from the fine folks at Drekker Brewing Company!  This pairing goes out to my friend Paul Britton, guitarist and vocalist, and founding member of the mighty Scarab and one-time member of Jameson Raid!  Cheers my friend!

Album Info:

• Artist: Jameson Raid
• Title: "Raiderstronomy"
• Recorded: 1979 through 1980 at Lee Sound Studios and "The Old Smithy" wares
• Release date: February 12th, 2021 (compilation album of early Jameson Raid)
• Record company: High Roller Records
• Production: Jameson Raid and Tom Galley
• Album cover art: Alexander von Wieding
• Personnel: John Ace (bass and backing vocals), Terry Dark (lead vocals), Paul Kimberly (drums and backing vocals), and Ian Smith (guitars)
• Musical style: NWOBHM, heavy metal, hard rock
• Sound: Criminally underrated, Jameson Raid's sound captures that straightforward early NWOBHM sound... heavy-duty rock and roll!  It is hones, hard hitting, and wonderfully powerful... a must have for any NWOBHM or metal fan in general!
• Major themes: Rebellion, self-awareness, knowledge, isolation, corruption, life, desire, history, violence, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Seven Days Of Splendor"
2. "It's A Crime"
3. "Catcher In The Rye"
4. "Hard Lines"
5. "The Hypnotist"
6. "The Raid"
7. "Gettin' Hotter"
8. "Straight From The Butchers"
9. "Seven Days Of Splendor" (remix)
10. "It's A Crime" (remix)
11. "Catcher In The Rye" (remix)

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Drekker Brewing Company (Fargo, North Dakota) 
• Website: https://drekkerbrewing.com/
• Brew: Tiny Bites Petite IPA
• Style: New England style India Pale Ale (IPA)
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 5.0% 
• Ingredients: Centennial, Citra, Vic Secret, and Belma hops with oats and spelt
• Pour: The Tiny Bites pours a hazy, bright yellow hue with a billowy and sustained, 1+ finger, bright white head with soapy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is characterized by citrusy, tropical, melon, earthy, herbal, and sweet notes.  There are aromas of grapefruit juice, orange juice, tangerine, papaya, pineapple, melon, soft peach, light pine resin, herbal tea, and sweet toffee.
• Taste: The taste of the Tiny Bites follows the nose with lots of fruit (citrus, tropical, and melon), herbal, and soft malty flavors.  There are notes of ripe cantaloupe and watermelon, candied lemon, tangerine, orange juice, pineapple, apricot, very light pine, and sweet, bready malts.
• Mouthfeel: Full-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel of the Tiny Bites is crisp and juicy, yet somewhat creamy and smooth, with a very dry, slightly bitter, yet soft finish.

Overall pairing: The Drekker Tiny Bites Petite IPA is very crushable and wonderfully hoppy IPA sure to get you all charged up for some fist-pumping NWOBHM!  And that my friends is exactly the kind of beer you want when blasting the heavy rockin' genius that is the mighty Jameson Raid!  'Nuff said!

Rock on!!