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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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