October 26th, 2025 - The Highwayman is Laying Down the Law

 

Hello headbangers, rockers, rollers, and craft beer freaks!  Happy Sunday!  The Meista here pairing "Lay Down The Law", the kick-ass debut album by American metal band Keel and a light and tasty Highwayman Pilsner from the fine folks at Roadhouse Brewing Company!  Hell yeah!

Album Info:

• Artist: Keel
• Title: "Lay Down The Law"
• Recorded: 1984 at Prairie Sun Recording Studios in Cotati, California
• Release date: 1984 (1st studio album by Keel)
• Record company: Shrapnel Records
• Production: Ron Keel and Mike Varney
• Album cover art: Mark Workman (photography)
• Personnel: Kenny Chaisson (bass and backing vocals), Marc Ferrari (guitars and backing vocals), Bryan Jay (guitars and backing vocals), Ron Keel (guitars and lead vocals), and Bobby Marks (drums and backing vocals)
• Musical style: Heavy metal, hard rock
• Sound: A straight-forward rocker, the sound on "Lay Down The Law" is both aggressive and melodic.  The fiery triple guitar attack by Ferrari, Jay, and Keel lends itself well to the overall approach and Keel's vocals soar over the thunderous powerhouse rhythm section of Chaisson and Marks!
• Major themes: Rebellion, aggression, power, speed, heavy metal, partying, women, lust, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Thunder And Lightning"
2. "Lay Down The Law"
3. "Speed Demon"
4. "Princess Of Illusion"
5. "Born Ready"
6. "Metal Generation"
7. "Till Hell Freezes Over"
8. "Tonight You're Mine"
9. "Let's Spend The Night Together" (The Rolling Stones cover)

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Roadhouse Brewing Company (Jackson Hole, Wyoming)
• Website: http://roadhousebrewery.com/
• Brew: Highwayman Pilsner
• Style: German-style Pilsner
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 5.0%
• Pour: The Highwayman Pilsner pours a cloudy, golden-yellow hue with a bright white, frothy, half-finger head with great retention and lots of sticky, intricate lacing
• Nose: The nose is grainy, malty, and slightly sweet.  There are aromas of toasted white bread crust, light floral hops, crackery biscuit, a slight hint of citrus, and a splash of honey.
• Taste: The taste of the Highwayman Pilsner is characterized by malty, grainy, and slightly sweet flavors.  There are notes of toasted malts, pale grains, a hint of lemon zest, grassy hops, and a splash of honey. 
• Mouthfeel: Light in body and well-carbonated, the mouthfeel of the Highwayman Pilsner is crisp and very smooth with a slightly sweet, but dry and clean finish.

Overall pairing: The Highwayman Pilsner from Roadhouse Brewing is a solid, very drinkable, and tasty crushable brew... perfect for the hard rockin' metal punch of the mighty Keel and their killer album "Lay Down The Law"!  Both demand your undivided attention, both are full of flavor, and both are tasty as hell!  'Nuff said!

Cheers!!  Rock on!!