August 7th, 2025 - An Anko Live From The Peoples Republic Of Fishponds (The Star)

 

Hello and happy Thursday rockers and craft brew freaks!  The Meista here this evening pairing a tasty and crushable Anko Japanese Rice Lager from the fine folks at SaltFire Brewing Company and the wonderful "Live From The Peoples Republic Of Fishponds (The Star)", a live EP by the wonderful This Raging Silence! 

Album Info:

• Artist: This Raging Silence
• Title: "Live From The Peoples Republic Of Fishponds (The Star)"
• Recorded: March 2023 at the Star in Fishponds in the UK
• Release date: 2023 (1st live EP by This Raging Silence)
• Record company: Raging Silence Records
• Production: This Raging Silence
• Album cover art: Jeff Cox
• Personnel: Dave Appleford (bass, keyboards, and backing vocals), Jeff Cox (guitars and lead vocals), Gerry Twomey (drums), and John Tyrer (guitars)
• Musical style: Progressive rock, art rock
• Sound: With influence from classic and neo-progressive rock bands along with touches of NWOBHM, the tracks on "Live From The Peoples Republic Of Fishponds (The Star)" provide a richly textured musical tapestry steeped in artistic, emotive, intricate, and thought-provoking passages.  It is absolutely fantastic!
• Major themes: Thoughtful and introspective, themes on the album include life, journeys, desperation, solitude, sorrow, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Save Me"
2. "The Caves Of Rojales"
3. "Angel In The Orchard"
4. "All Is Forgiven"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: SaltFire Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: https://www.saltfirebrewing.com/
• Brew: Anko Japanese Rice Lager
• Style: Japanese-style Rice Lager
• Serving: 16 ounce can 
• ABV: 5.0%
• Pour: The Anko Japanese Rice Lager pours a clear, golden yellow color with a thin, bright white, frothy head that dissipates quickly, leaving only a trace of lacing.
• Nose: The nose is characterized by subtle grainy, floral, and slightly sweet aromas.  There are notes of rice cakes, pale malt, wildflowers, hints of lime juice and zest, and a slight hint of honey.
• Taste: The taste of the Anko Japanese Rice Lager is a delicious and crushable blend of grainy, floral, and light citrusy flavors.  There are notes of and a splash of lime, and a slight hint of honey.
• Mouthfeel: Light-bodied and well carbonated, the mouthfeel is very crisp and smooth with a very dry, clean finish.

Overall pairing: The SaltFire Anko Japanese Rice Lager is a very light and crushable, yet flavorful brew... perfect for a hot summer day whilst rockin' to the wonderfully complex, mesmerizing, and honest musical prowess of This Raging Silence!  'Nuff said!

Cheers!!

If you haven't done so already, check out my interview from last year with Jeff Cox, guitarist and vocalist of This Raging Silence here: https://youtu.be/SRIPI19E1k8