February 7th, 2026 - Necking with Charline

 

Hello and happy Saturday rockers, rollers, and craft beer freaks!  Your pal the Meista here today pairing "Charline", the 6th album by German rock band Wallenstein along with a hoppy and bold Necking Pale Ale from my friends at Fisher Brewing Company!  Hell yeah!!

Album Info: 

• Artist: Wallenstein
• Title: "Charline"
• Recorded: Summer 1978 at Dierks Studios in Pulheim Stommeln near Cologne, Germany
• Release date: 1978 (6th studio album by Wallenstein)
• Record company: RCA Victor 
• Production: Horst Pawlik
• Album cover art: Michael von Gimbut (photography) and Roland Schmidt (graphics)
• Personnel:  Pete Brough (guitars and backing vocals), Jürgen Dollase (keyboards and backing vocals), Michael Dommers (guitars and backing vocals), Kim Merz (lead vocals), Terry Park (bass), and Charly Terstappen (drums and percussion)
• Musical style: Rock, pop, art rock, Krautrock
• Sound: Blending the innovative 1970s Krautrock approach with straightforward pop rock sensibility, the sound on Wallenstein's "Charline" is both compelling and engaging. Merz's vocals remind me of Dan McCafferty while the music is reminiscent of 10cc.  Great stuff!
• Major themes: Life, love, relationships, youth, the passing of time, etc.
• Tracks: 

1. "Charline"
2. "Fire In The Rain"
3. "Life Is True In London Town"
4. "Red Wine For The Judge"
5. "All Good Children - Part 1 (Parent's Talks)"
6. "Midnight Blue"
7. "Sally Don't Mind"
8. "All Good Children - Part 2 (Children's Reply)"
9. "Strong And Steady"
10. "Oldtime Café"

Brew Info:

• Brewery: Fisher Brewing Company (Salt Lake City, Utah)
• Website: http://www.fisherbeer.com/
• Brew: Necking Pale Ale
• Style: West-Coast Pale Ale 
• Serving: 32 ounce crowler can
• ABV: 5.0%
• IBUs: 35
• Ingredients: Nectaron hops
• Pour: The Necking Pale Ale pours a fairly clear, bronze-amber hue with a billowy and frothy, off white, 2+ finger head with great sustain and lots of sudsy, sticky, and layered lacing.
• Nose: The nose is characterized by very citrusy aromas along with floral, earthy, dank, and herbal hops, and more subtle sweeter malts.  There are aromas of grapefruit rind, tangerine zest, orange zest, kiwi, wet pine needles, orange herbal tea, wildflowers, doughy bread, toasted malts, and a hint of soft, sweet caramel/toffee.
• Taste: The taste of the Necking Pale Ale is very citrusy, earthy, and herbal along with crackery maltiness.  There are notes of grapefruit juice, orange pith, tangerine, pine resin, black tea, crackery biscuit, and soft caramel/toffee.
• Mouthfeel: Medium-bodied with moderate carbonation, the mouthfeel is crisp, slightly bitter, yet smooth with a dry, bitter finish

Overall pairing: Complex and heartfelt Krautrock deserves a brew of equal intensity and flavor... thus the Necking Pale Ale from the fine folks at Fisher!  Those big, complex citrus flavors are great for the overall rock and roll vibe, while the complex fruit flavors go great with the powerful vocals!

Prost!!