I don’t mention this much but on weekends and some evening I work at a wine/spirits department in a big store in Newcastle (if you’re local, you will probably guess where). Most of my colleagues are also music lovers so when the topic of alcohol and our favourite bands collaborating it’s quite exciting to see what we can get our hands on. We all know KISS have released every kind of product under the sun and apparently Cliff Richard has wine available. These would seem pretty tacky to stock in well-respected department store but recently there has been an uprising of musicians (and celebrities) doing this well.
Let me take you back to last year. The news Iron Maiden are to release a real ale to co-inside with the 25th anniversary of their ‘Maiden England’ tour get out in the music and beer press (if there is such thing). I think this is funny and guess it is your bog standard ales with one of Maiden’s colourful album covers on the label. Fast forward to summer 2013, I go to Download Festival. One of the headline bands is Iron Maiden and they are selling bottles £4 a piece. I’m pretty impress, fairly light in taste and I’m not a big ale drinker. I got back to work and had to inform every one of this. Plenty of customers ask for it so we decide to get on the shelves.
Maiden is probably one of the best-selling beers I’ve known (outside our North East range that is). I keep an eye out for more bands who have released drink and there are plenty. We get certain names like Elbow’s ‘lets Build A Rocket Boys’ but pass on Motorhead’s ‘Bastard Beer’ and no other ‘musical drinks’ pop up until this week when I not only read about a full range in Cheers Magazine, but see there is a range of wines and new band-endorsed beer to get in to. This beer is ‘Maximo No.5’ by Mordue Brewery, endorsed by Newcastle-based indie group Maximo Park. Below is a run down of other beers by bands that my end up on a shop shelf near you and my thoughts on them.
Status Quo ‘Pile Driver’ (by Wychwood)
A band that has been going since the late 60s and still continue to perform live to this day. Never been in to them by my dad is a bit of a fan. Funnily enough they are playing Download 2014, headling the second stage and no doubt this will be the ‘Trooper’ (Maiden’s beer) of DL14. Wychwood are famous for brewing Hobgoblin, Goliath and *ahem* Dog’s Bollocks. These are also drank by the ‘Dad Rock’ crowd judging by the ads in my dad’s Classic Rock Magazine. Described by ClassicAles.co.uk as “A traditional malty amber ale balanced with a bold fruity hop character.” Sounds very nice! At the moment it is only available in Wetherspoons pubs on draft until April when it is on general sale. Good father’s day present?
Maximo Park ‘Maximo No.5’ (by Mordue)
Rightly so that one of Newcastle’s most celebrated independent breweries release a beer endorsed by Newcastle’s most celebrated indie band. No 5 is released along side their fifth album (get it) ‘Too Much Information’ and also shares the albums artwork. This is the only beer on this list I have drunk myself. It is described on the bottle as a ‘American amber style beer with grapefruit, orange, and lychee over a smooth but firm malt base. ‘ I definitely got the zesty undertones but I felt this was a tad too heavy for the Maximo fan base. This should have been much lighter but a decent ale if American amber is your thing. As The album is called ‘Too Much Information’ I don’t want to go on too much. It’s also worth mentioning the band once had a limited range of Newcastle Brown Ale labels depicting front man Paul Smith but as Newcy Brown is now made in Tadcaster it is better a more local brewery take care of this ale.
Mastodon ‘Black Tongue’ Double Black IPA (Signature Brew)
Signature are the first brewery I have come across dedicated to making beers associated with bands. They are bunch of music fans really into their craft beers. Mastodon have been a round for a fair few years now and have gathered a cult following in that time starting with their breakthrough album ‘Leviathan’ in 2004. Come to think of it, I watched them perform at last year’s Download Festival, possibly under the influence of Trooper. ‘Black Tongue’ really captures the spirit of the metal band. According to Signature’s website the beer is “Rumbling smoky notes are offset by the elixir of misbehaving punchy hops. Citra and Magnum hops to the front, with Carafa Special 3 Malt and Pale on the baseline, this is our biggest and most powerful creation to date.” Which sounds like something I definitely want to try. The label is pretty eye-catching too:
Enter Shikari ‘Sssnakepit’ Lager (Signature Brew)
No idea what the two S’s are for but I’m surprised this wasn’t served at Download either. Enter Shikari have an ‘acquired’ sound and hopefully this isn’t an acquired taste. According to their website: ” This is easily drinkable at night at the back of a crowded venue or along with a good Sunday Roast.” Which hits the target demographic nicely. An easily drinkable lager to have at a great gig or with a meal. If marketed properly this might be more popular than expected.
Madness ‘Gladness’ (Growler)
From what I gather, this is only served in particular pubs. Madness aren’t as popular as they once were and aren’t always seen as a ‘classic’ band. Full marks on a witty name and old school looking beer pump clip. The Beer Company describe this as “A light gold beer brewed with the ingredients of a lager but most definitely an ale. Highly refreshing with a lovely subtle hop flavour and aroma, reminiscent of a pilsner.” So what is it? Lager? Ale? Pilsner? A bit like Madness themselves Gladness can’t seem to stick to one market.
Can’t forget to mention the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd and Woodstock branded wines in store either. That’s another story though.
Neale McGeever: Scatter Brain 