February 6th, 2026 - There's So Much Room to Focus

 

Hello and happy Friday rockers, proggers and hop lovers!  The Meista here today rocking out with a pairing of "Focus 12" by legendary Dutch progressive rock band Focus and a delicious, juicy, and hoppy So Much Room Hazy IPA from the fine folks at Revision Brewing Company!  Yes!!

Album Info:

• Artist: Focus
• Title: "Focus 12"
• Recorded: at Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum, The Netherlands
• Release date: July 5th, 2024 (17th full-length album by Focus)
• Record company: In And Out Of Focus Records / Cherry Red / Spirit Of Unicorn Music  
• Production: Menno Gootjes and Udo Pannekeet
• Album cover art: Roger Dean (paintings and band logo)
• Personnel: Menno Gootjes (guitars, piano, and synth), Udo Pannekeet (bass, synth, and programming), Pierre Van Der Linden (drums), and Thijs Van Leer (flute, organ, piano, and synth)
• Musical style: Progressive rock with elements of jazz fusion
• Sound: With "Focus 12", the master musicians that are Focus present some of their most compelling and engaging work yet.  Gootjes's phenomenal guitar work and Van Leer's icon flute float over a tapestry of wonderful rhythms, grooves, and melodies! 
• Major themes: An instrumental album, themes are fairly open to interpretation, but I get the following impressions when I listen to this lovely album: life, nature, beingness, beauty, music, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Fjord Focus"
2. "Focus 13"
3. "Béla"
4. "Meta Indefinita"
5. "All Aboard"
6. "Born To Be You"
7. "Nura"
8. "Bowie"
9. "Positano"
10. "Gaia"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Revision Brewing Company (Sparks, Nevada)
• Website: https://revisionbrewing.com/
• Brew: So Much Room Hazy IPA 
• Style: New England-style Hazy India Pale Ale (NEIPA)
• Serving: 16 ounce can
• ABV: 7.2%
• IBUs: 24
• Pour: The So Much Room Hazy IPA pours a very hazy, pale golden-yellow hue with a frothy, bright white, 1-finger head with good retention and sudsy, sticky lacing.
• Nose: The nose is very citrusy and tropical with more subtle floral and malt elements.  There are aromas of tangerine, freshly squeezed orange juice, orange zest, lemon zest, lime juice and peel, grapefruit rind, bright mango, apricot, wildflowers, light pine resin, freshly cut hay, and soft caramel/toffee.
• Taste: Fruit-forward and very juicy, the taste of the So Much Room Hazy IPA is citrusy, fruity, and slightly sweet.  There are notes of tangerine, orange juice, orange pith, lime, mango, pineapple, guava, very light pine, and light honey.
• Mouthfeel: Medium to full-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is very crisp and very juicy, yet smooth and creamy with a dry, slightly sweet, slightly boozy, pillowy-soft finish.

Overall pairing: The So Much Room Hazy IPA from Revision Brewing is a punchy, yet very smooth, drinkable, and refreshing hoppy brew... great for pairing with the progressive brilliance that is the legendary Focus!  The citrusy hops and sweet fruit elements of the beer align well with the high energy of the album and the and brightness of Gootjes' fantastic guitar work!  I also love the look of Roger Dean's wonderful album cover art juxtaposed against the cool beer can label!  'Nuff said!

Cheers!!  

"For minds that wonder, and trails that never end."