Beer and Vinyl for a Sunday

The year is 1976, what a time to be alive. I was probably still wearing shorts, although probably I’d just got up the courage to do ‘dating’, although probably not, it’s not the sort of thing you do in shorts.

I’ve been away with the in-laws and I’ve got a copy of the Elton John Blue Moves double Album. I picked this up, deliberately, from a second hand store, it’s a little appreciated album in a period where Reg was churning out the good stuff.

It has 18 songs, one of which you’d recognisable, and It is 84 minutes long in total. Should be enough to enjoy a beer bye, right?

Should be enough to enjoy a beer by.

The Beer is the the ‘ParrotDog L.B. WCIPA’ which is in the style that is an IPA and is brewed by ParrotDog who are in Wellington, New Zealand

Unlike me it’s clear and crisp

At 7% ABV and 210 calories a serve sized beer, it is a competition winner, which also packs in 58 IBU things, making this one litre growler 5.52 standard drinks in NZ

Blue Moves is the eleventh official album release by Elton John. It was released in October 1976.

It was John’s second double album (after Goodbye Yellow Brick Road) and the first to be released by his own label, Rocket Records Ltd.

Despite the album’s darker tone, it reached no. 3 on the charts.

So, What could possibly go wrong?

Half Jokingly I note that this isn’t cloudy beer. What a time to get on a trend. I also not, half jokingly that for an album in ‘excellent’ condition it has a lot of pop and crackle, might have to get the soapy water out and give it a wash.

The beer is crisp and clean to taste, the aroma is outstanding.

The bitterness is perfect against that malt backbone and the result is a wonderful bit of drinking.

This is against an album that is a bit of a roller coaster of things, Prog.Rock would certainly suit some of the tracks and their progression, and Side 3 is possibly the best of them for that roller coaster ride between syrup and all out giving the rocking best, and back to syrup.

I’m glad I brought it applies to both the album and the beer.

The pdubyah-o-meter rates this as 9 of its things from the thing. I think this is a nice touchstone to the style and it grows in itself as it warms, with more earthy bitterness appearing, beaching still balanced against that warming malt.

The double dip review

Where did I get it? Liquorland in Forrest Hill
Am I enjoying it? Yes
Would I have another? I have a litre, I would certainly have this if I was out and it was available on tap.
Would I share with a friend on a porch and set the world to rights? I would, it’s a proper authentic take with panache and style on a familiar theme. Rightly a medal winner

Music for this: Elton John and Blue Moves, on the Spotify if you want to sing along.

Imperial IPA, Double IPA or DIPA is a strong, often sweet, intensely hoppy version of the traditional India Pale Ale. Bitterness units range upward of 100 IBUs and alcohol begins at 7.5% but is more commonly in the 8.5-10% range. The flavour profile is intense all-round. Unlike barley wines, the balance is heavily towards the hops, with crystal and other malts providing support.