July 25th, 2025 - A Concentrated Cloud Ozzmosis

 

Rough week... as you all know, Ozzy passed away.  It doesn't seem real.  I'm not in the best place with this.  As a tribute, I'm pairing Ozzy's amazing "Ozzmosis", my favorite post-80s album of his and a delightful and hoppy Concentrated Clouds Hazy IPA from Great Notion!  This pairing is dedicated to the memory of Ozzy Osbourne and to my friend Brett Markum... thanks for the delicious beer my friend!  Cheers!  


Album Info:

• Artist: Ozzy Osbourne
• Title: "Ozzmosis" Recorded: 1995 at Guillaume Tell Studios in Paris, France, Right Track Recording in New York, New York, Bearsville Studios in Woodstock, New York, and Electric Lady Studios in New York, New York
• Release date: October 23rd, 1995 (7th studio album by Ozzy Osbourne)
• Record company: Epic Records
• Production: Michael Beinhorn 
• Album cover art: David Coleman (art direction) and Rocky Schenck (photography)
• Personnel: Ozzy Osbourne (lead vocals) with Geezer Butler (bass), Deen Castronovo (drums), Rick Wakeman (keyboards), and Zakk Wylde (guitars) 
• Additional musician: Michael Beinhorn (keyboards)
• Musical style: Heavy metal, hard rock
• Sound: Richly textured, and impeccably produced, yet heavy hitting, the sound on "Ozzmosis" is a wonderful blend of the modern and classic Ozzy!  Wylde's guitar work is more nuanced and dynamic than on previous works, Butler and Castronovo are a powerhouse of a rhythm section (overlooked in many regards), Wakeman adds a deep and melodic flair, and Ozzy's vocals are perfectly Ozzy!
• Major themes: Deeply personal, introspective, and honest, the lyrics on the album deal with themes of life and death, mystery, danger, love, relationships, states of mind, pride, insanity, darkness, pain, hope, etc.
• Tracks:  

1. "Perry Mason"
2. "I Just Want You"
3. "Ghost Behind My Eyes"
4. "Thunder Underground"
5. "See You On The Other Side"
6. "Tomorrow"
7. "Denial"
8. "My Little Man"
9. "My Jekyll Doesn't Hide"
10. "Old L.A. Tonight"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Great Notion Brewery (Portland, Oregon) 
• Website: https://greatnotion.com/
• Brew: Concentrated Clouds Hazy IPA
• Style: New England India Pale Ale (NEIPA)
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 7.1%
• Ingredients: Dry hopped with Citra, Nelson Sauvin, and Rakau hops, and finished with Nelson and Rakau hop kiefs
• Pour: The Concentrated Clouds pours a very hazy, bright yellow-orange hue with a frothy, 1-finger, bright white head that slowly dissipates to a thin ring with sudsy lacing.
• Nose: The nose is citrusy, tropical, and grainy.  There are aromas of freshly squeezed orange juice, orange zest, tangerine, a hint of grapefruit rind, freshly cut mango, apricot, light toffee, and a hint of wet pine needles.
• Taste: The taste of the Concentrated Clouds is like the nose... very fruity, very citrusy, very juicy.  There are big, bright notes of orange juice, orange pith, and orange zest along with tangerine, dried apricot, a hint of peach, mango, pineapple, toasted biscuit, light toffee, and bitter herbs.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is crisp, juicy, and somewhat sharp with a dry, bittersweet finish. 

Overall pairing: The Great Notion Concentrated Clouds Hazy IPA is a complex, yet very inviting brew... perfect to rock out with the power and depth that is Ozzy's underrated "Ozzmosis"!  'Nuff said!

Cheers and hails!!  Rest in Power Ozzy!!