Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band beer pairings


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50 years ago, at the beginning of June, one of the most iconic rock albums was released. Some could say it changed the course of music and whether you're a fan or not of the Beatles, you have to give mad respect for the audio engineering that went into this at a time where there were only 4 tracks. Now, in this digital age, you can have endless tracks and splice them together (I'm currently working on a 21 ½ minute song, sitting at 13 tracks for the first 9 minutes, still needing to add some).

Regardless, we figured what better way to celebrate an iconic album than to pair beers with it. We know that music and beer go hand in hand, which is why in our past reviews we always suggested a music pairing. We've attending some themed bottle shares where the beer was made for music, so pairing made it easy (Dogfish Head's “Bitches Brew” while cranking out the Miles Davis' album of the same name and Bell's Planetary Series while listening to Gustav Holst's The Planets to name a couple). This album, with its twists and turns throughout various music styles and themes, would be difficult to pick a single beer, so we went track by track to bring you this list.

1) Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

This starts with the sound of an audience chattering and some strings warming up, like a classical music concerto is about to begin. This kicks in with a steady beat of drums and bass before some distorted guitar sets the tone of the song. A very enthusiastic Paul McCartney belts out “It was 20 years ago today” for the iconic opening line. Some horns in the breakdown add another bit of depth to the song. The song ends in a segue to track 2.

Pair this with Bell's Oberon. An iconic wheat beer that's not your typical wheat. Citrus notes and spice change the game on this, much like the varying parts of the song. With this being 5.8% ABV, it won't wreck you before you make it to your next beer.

2) With a Little Help From My Friends
Yes, this is the theme song for the Wonder Years (when it was covered by Joe Cocker). Yes, Ringo's singing on this one (typically, Ringo songs would be hung on the fridge, so everyone can see it, much like a child's artwork). Piano and bass driven for the better part of the song. The call and response changes between the 2nd and 3rd verse- 2nd verse Ringo starts followed by a response by the other 3, 3rd verse it's the trio then Ringo. Musically, it's not that complex, letting the vocals and message shine through.

Yep, you guessed it. Pair this with a collaboration beer. Most collaboration beers are one off, so trying to pick one would be a pain in the ass. Here are some collaboration beers we've enjoyed in the past (to give suggestions)
Dogfish Head Saison du Buff (not sure if Victory and Stone are still doing versions of it; but DFH has continued to brew it more recently).

3) Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
Vivid imagery on the vocals throughout the entire song with organ and drone sounds leading the verses, the pre-chorus being jazz-like drums and slide guitar, the chorus being upbeat and happy. This song is written about a drawing that Julian Lennon (John's boy) did. It was higher up on the fridge than most of Ringo's songs. Yes, we know the 'no, it's about LSD'... I'm pretty sure it's 50/50. So what do we have here, a song that's complex with many different layers, each one adding and improving.

Pair this with Pannepot Reserva, a Belgian Strong Dark Ale that is as complex as this song. Dark fruit, oak, chocolate, wine-like at times, caramel, the list goes on and on and on- much like the recording of this song (several takes, then combining the vocal tracks of take 18 with the drums from take 2 and the guitar from take 34 at half speed). We have not reviewed this for our blog, but have enjoyed it on several occasions, loving each sip, every time.

4) Getting Better
Harmonies throughout the song that's kind of upbeat. The song has a piano riff that rides throughout. A positive chorus reminds people who may be down “It's getting better all the time.” What else gets better all the time? Aging beers.

Pair this with a Speedway Stout from Alesmith, Big Bad Baptist from Epic, Dragon's Milk from New Holland. Put these in your cellar and let them age. We know, it's hard with such delicious brews, but trust us, aging these stouts will bring out different flavors and characters that will blow your god damn mind. Holy shit, I just realized, with how much we love these beers, we've never reviewed any of them. Fuck me.

5) Fixing a Hole
Baroque-style harpsichord starts off the song as the song progressively gets back to a more modern sound of a Fender Stratocaster and cymbals. The chorus starts off:
“And it doesn't really matter if I'm wrong I'm right
Where I belong I'm right
Where I belong.”
Paul McCartney with some deep stuff, making it hard to pick a beer. This song is kind of about the freedom to do whatever you want.

Pair this one with Rosa from Revolution Brewing. Revolution is a brewery that does their own thing (and makes fantastic beers in the process). Rosa is a hibiscus ale with a color that could beckon the line 'I'm painting the room in a colorful way.' This fantastic beer is a Summer seasonal, so you'll want to grab some now.

6) She's Leaving Home
A traditional-based song (as apposed to the modern based off the minor/major keys) with a small orchestra and the boys not on instruments (one of 2 Beatles songs to do so). The song was inspired by a newspaper article of a 17-year-old girl who ran away from home, going into several perspectives (Narrator, parents).

Pair this with a Trappist beer, our preference is St. Bernardus Abt 12. Traditional sounding song gets a traditional style that's still mind blowing and can bring a tear to your eye if you get deep into thinking about it.

7) Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite
The circus sound to this song goes without saying, as they lyrics are taken straight off of a vintage poster for a circus. If memory serves, John found it in an antique shop and it called out to him.

Clown Shoes needs to be consumed with this. Any of their beers would work, as they are are solid. Some of our personal preferences are the Unidragon series, Flight of the Angry Beast, Rexx... Ah hell, just pick up their beer.

8) Within You and Without You
George Harrison once again delving into blending Western and Eastern music, once again nailing it out of the park. Deep lyrics, a kick ass breakdown with a tamboura and a sitar trading off in a solo before being joined with violins and cellos. Not your typical hippie shit.

It would be easy to pair this with a beer from India, too easy. Good Juju by Left Hand Brewing is our pick for this. A 4.5% ale with ginger both fits an ingredient used in Indian food, but we also think the name pairs well with the theme of the lyrics.

9) When I'm Sixty-four
A classic sounding song about growing old together. Plans as a couple developing over top of clarinet sounds joining in with the Beatles in a 1940's sounding pop song. Will you still be sending me a valentine, birthday greeting, bottle of wine? No instead we'll be doing barleywine.

For this, pair it with Horn Dog by Flying Dog. It will age with you, and the name describes how I'll still be at the age of 64. (Note, our tastes have changed since the original Horn Dog review to where we love barleywines). Sucaba from Firestone Walker is another one that we haven't heard being pulled from the lineup yet, and it is as fantastic fresh as it is aged.

10) Lovely Rita
A love song to a Meter Maid with tongue-in-cheek humor. Everyone was writing protest and anti-authority songs, so Paul had a laugh about this. One of few songs I can think of that uses comb and wax paper as an instrument. I can type while staring at Jennie.

Now, we could have led you down a terrible path of a favor-rita by some mass produced shit, but no, we couldn't do it to ourselves, so we'll be damned if we suggest it to anyone. Westbrook's Key Lime Gose would be a pairing to have a 'margarita'-esque beer. If it's not readily available in your area, it is easily traded for (it's not a 'whale').

11) Good Morning, Good Morning
A song inspired by a Corn Flakes ad, this song talks about the troubles of being bored with life, kicking into jazzy breakdown that gets stuck in my head at least once a week (and has since 1996). What's not boring about life is this time that we live in and the great selection of beer.

Pair this with a breakfast stout- Founder's Breakfast is a solid one that's more widely available. It'll get you going for you mundane 9-5 that you despise, but the only reason you're doing it is for the financial commitment of keeping a roof over your girlfriend/wife's head. If not for her, you'd be gallivanting around town with your boys, but instead you wake up daily, slightly hung over, and go to your cubicle prison, dealing with shit head customers on the phone day in and day out, until it becomes a nuisance and you say “Mother Fucker!” each time the phone rings.... maybe it's time I change jobs... Regardless, breakfast stout for this one, it doesn't need to have oats in the mash, but the oats will give a thicker body. It will require the coffee and chocolate, you'll thank me in the morning. Flying Dog's Kujo gets an honorable mention here as well.

12) Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Reprise
A faster, more grooving version of the opening track. Possibly the first remix in rock history. Instead of leading into a Ringo song, this leads into one of the most epic songs ever released.

We said Oberon for the opening track of Sgt Pepper's, as it's a nice segue. This is building up to a climax and is a reprise/remix. Stone's Ruination 2.0 is our pick for this. An 8% DIPA that will melt your face and call you a wussy (taking inspiration from their bottles), this fits right here (that's.... what.... she said?).

13) A Day in the Life
An iconic track with musical twists and turns that combine 2 different songs. The lyrics are taken straight from the newspaper (notice a theme on this album?)., but are laid out in a haunting manner by John. There is a part toward the middle where you hear George Martin counting with an entire orchestra playing their favorite notes while progressively getting louder. This leads into a key and tempo change into Paul's section of the song, a segment about getting ready for the day. Some epic strings, then back to John's haunting vocals, George Martin counting, strings..... the 'forever' piano note (which watching a recent documentary was like 7-8 pianos with the damper pedal pressed, then some studio magic).....

For this, we could do a number of beers. Jennie is thinking “Identity Crisis” by Mad Tree as it switches up flavor profiles between dark roasty notes of a porter/stout and big citrus hops like an IPA. My pick for this would be Barley's Point of Origin, as it has an ever evolving, changing taste.

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