May 18th, 2025 - A Palm Tree Porter for the Doobs

Hello rockers, rollers, and craft beer freaks!  Happy Sunday!  The Meista here pairing "Best Of The Doobies" by the Doobie Brothers and a bold and delicious VI Barrel-Aged Anniversary Ale from the fine folks at UTOG Brewing Company!  

Album Info: 

• Artist: Doobie Brothers
• Title: "Best Of The Doobies"
• Recorded: 1972 through 1976 at various studios in California
• Release date: October 29th, 1976 (1st greatest hits compilation album by the Doobie Brothers)
• Record company: Warner Brothers
• Production: Ted Templeman
• Album cover art: ?
• Personnel: Jeff "Skunk" Baxter (guitars and steel pedal guitars), John Hartman (drums and percussion), Michael Hossack (drums and percussion), Tom Johnston (lead and backing vocals, guitars, and harmonica), Keith Knudson (drums, percussion, and backing vocals), Michael McDonald (lead and backing vocals, keyboards, and synthesizers), Tiran Porter (bass and backing vocals), and Patrick Simmons (lead and backing vocals, guitars, banjo, and ARP synthesizers), 
• Guest and additional musicians: Jess Butler (organ), Malcolm Cecil (ARP synthesizer programming), Nick DeCaro (string arrangements), Vennetta Fields (backing vocals), Bobbye Hall (congas), Milt Holland (vibraphone), Bobby LaKind (congas), Robert Margouleff (ARP synthesizer programming), Sherlie Matthews (backing vocals), The Memphis Horns (brass), Novi Novog (viola), Bill Payne (piano and organ), Paul Riser (string and horn arrangements), Jessie Smith (backing vocals), and Ted Templeman (percussion and backing vocals)
• Musical style: Rock, pop, soft rock, yacht rock, blue eyed soul
• Sound: Upbeat, filled with lots of catchy rhythms, hooks, and choruses, this is not just classic Doobie Brothers, this is the classic rock soundtrack of my early youth!  It is timeless, fun as hell, and just plain awesome!
• Major themes: Life, love, music, rock and roll, celebration, joy, wanderlust, etc.
• Tracks:

1. "China Grove"
2. "Long Train Runnin'"
3. "Takin' It To The Streets"
4. "Listen To The Music"
5. "Black Water"
6. "Rockin' Down The Highway"
7. "Jesus Is Just Alright"
8. "It Keeps You Runnin'"
9. "South City Midnight Lady"
10. "Take Me In Your Arms"
11. "Without You"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: UTOG Brewing Company (Ogden, Utah) in collaboration with Ogden’s Own Distillery (Ogden, Utah)
• Website: https://www.utogbrewing.com/
• Brew: Palm Tree Porter
• Style: American Porter
• Serving: 12 ounce can
• ABV: 8.59%
• IBUs: 43
• Ingredients: Porter aged in Jamaican rum barrels
• Pour: The Palm Tree Porter pours an opaque, deep, dark brown (almost black) with a creamy, half-finger, light mocha head with good retention and sudsy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is malty, roasty, smoky, and slightly sweet.  There are aromas of dark chocolate, vanilla bean, Jamaican spiced rum, oak, light smoke, toffee, and freshly cut coconut.
• Taste: The taste of the Palm Tree Porter is malty, roasty, slightly sweet, slightly smoky, and slightly boozy.  There are notes of roasted malts, dark and milk chocolate, cocoa, fresh coconut, hazel nuts, light liquid smoke, vanilla, Jamaican spiced rum, and burnt toffee. 
• Mouthfeel: Full-bodied and moderately carbonated, the mouthfeel is thick, sticky, and smooth, yet punchy with a slightly bitter and dry finish.

Overall pairing: The UTOG Palm Tree Porter is a bold, complex, and sweet brew... great for the richly textured, inviting, and sweet, sweet groves, harmonies, and riffs of the wonderful Doobie Brothers!  'Nuff said!

Cheers... rock on!!