Beer Category: Seasonal

Love Joy

Inspired by “Lovejoy, Ill.” Albert King

Our Sour Lemon Gose (pronounced like the name Rosa); a tart wheat ale originating from Germany, that is combined with lots of lemons to create a nice, refreshing spin on lemonade. These beers have an interesting history and can be traced all the way back to the late 1300s!  Goses all but died out until a few decades ago and have seen a resurgence, especially from craft brewers in the states. A gose is brewed with coriander and salt, the coriander here boosts the citrus punch of the added lemons, making this a very tart ale. Love Joy tastes like a salted lemon shortbread being eaten at the beach with the fresh salty sea breeze whipping through your hair. Love Joy is reminiscent of kids lemonade stands, but with a little salty kick. Made to bring people together and share with your neighbors, like Albert King says “everybody should have love in their heart” so sit back, enjoy the summer, take a sip and spread the love.

Food Pairings: BLT • Goat Chèvre • Watermelon

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“Lovejoy, Ill.” Albert King

Recorded at Skyhill Studios & Muscle Shoals Sound, 1970-71

Albert Nelson (King) was born on a cotton plantation in MS, in the same town as B.B. King, he often told people he was the half brother of him, but B.B. King later just told everyone that he wasn’t a “blood brother but a brother of the blues.” Albert got his start playing  in Osceola, AR, then moved around to a few of other places before settling down in Memphis and got his real big start with STAX records. Nicknamed as “The Velvet Bulldozer” Albert was known for his deep, dramatic sound that would be emulated by future blues and rock guitarists, such as: Jimi Hendrix, Derek Trucks, Stevie Ray Vaughn and even Eric Clapton. The album, LOVEJOY, which is most notable for his cover of “Honky Tonk Women” contains the song “Lovejoy Ill.” which is the nickname for one of the towns he played music in Illinois. The album sees King moving into a more funky blues genre. It was also produced by Memphian and fellow musician, Don Nix. Although, the album may not have produced any chart topping hits, it remains a highly sought after album for King collectors.

Scratch

Inspired by “Scratch My Back” Slim Harpo

Our Spring seasonal is a Maibock; Bock beer in Germany is actually a category of beer by law meaning strong. These beers are usually offered as a way to usher in the warmth of the season that brings people into the first days of lounging in the beer garden. Scratch is considered a Pale Bock, a little lighter in alcohol and paler in color than the better known Doppelbock. This lager is robust but delicate on the palate; a clean, creme brûlée sweetness, and herbal tea like quality from the hops. Just like April rain showers that bring May flowers, this lager has a quality of fresh rain that opens us up to the Spring season before that inevitable heat wave of summer. Prost!

Food Pairings: Chile Relleno • Alp Blossom Cheese • Apple Strudel

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“BABY SCRATCH MY BACK” Slim Harpo

Recorded in Crowley, Louisiana, 1965

A mostly instrumental song with occasional monologues and harmonica fills written and recorded by Slim Harpo. It would be his most commercially successful single reaching #1 on the Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles Chart in 1966 and would reach #16 on the Billboard Hot 100. He would refer to it as his attempt at rock and roll for himself; it would later be covered by Stax’s own Otis Redding on THE SOUL ALBUM. Born James Isaac Moore, he was regarded as one of the most successful blues artists of his day and was a master blues harmonica player and songwriter. Although, he was never a full-time musician, he had a huge influence on future artists such as: the Rolling Stones, the Kinks, the Yardbirds, Van Morrison and Hank Williams, Jr., just to name a few. He would also perform live with his brother in law, Lightnin’ Slim. He died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 46.

Coffee & Cigarettes

Inspired by “Cigarettes & Coffee” Otis Redding

Our Winter seasonal is a Smoked Coffee Porter; the porter base gives roasted chocolate characteristics and then with added pecan smoked Tennessee grown malt to give our dark beer a tobacco like aroma. Local coffee from our friends, Dr. Bean’s Coffee Roasters, is infused multiple times during the brewing process to give this beer an added caffeine boost and hints of bing cherries. Lactose is also added to give Coffee & Cigarettes a sweet, smooth body that resembles coffee with cream. This ale will remind you of a yummy Bavarian cream donut, sweet and creamy, paired with a fresh cup of coffee, rounding out the finish rich and robust. Just like your early morning cup of coffee, you might not be able to drink just one.

Food Pairings: Prime Rib • Fondue • Breakfast for Dinner

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“CIGARETTES & COFFEE” Otis Redding

Recorded at Stax Studios, 1965-66

Steve Cropper has said that this song, “Cigarettes & Coffee,” was one of Redding’s hidden gems. Released on his fourth studio album, THE SOUL ALBUM, recorded at Stax Studios and backed with their celebrated house band – Booker T. & the MGs, Isaac Hayes and the Memphis Horns, this smokey soul song, follows its protagonist enjoying coffee and cigarettes with his love at nearly 3 am in the morning, and there is no where else he would rather be. Jerry Butler penned the song but did not record it; it was actually released in 1961 by Texas soul singer, Al “TNT” Braggs, who is best known as the songwriter of “Share Your Love With Me” sung by Aretha Franklin; but got very little attention until Redding released it 5 years later. Otis Redding would only record and release two more albums before his untimely and tragic death.

Danke