Music nerds who are also beer nerds, prepare yourselves for a total geekgasm: The Asheville Brewing Company is teaming up with the Bob Moog Foundation to create Moog Filtered Ale. Yes, you read that right. There is going to be a beer named after the dude who invented the Moog synthesizer. Want to taste it? You’ll have to make your way to North Carolina between May 27th and July 31st.
But how about those of us who don’t happen to live in or near North Carolina? What are our musical brew options? After the jump, check out six more past and present beers distributed or inspired by musicians, just in time for barbecue season.
Wilco Tango FoxtrotMade by:Lagunitas Brewing CompanyTastes like: “A big Ol’ Imperial Brown Ale to help you with your slipperly [sic] slide on into springtime. Rich, smooth, dangerous & chocolatey.”Alcohol content: 7.83%Weird fact: Lagunitas says they’re aware of Wilco, but the beer isn’t inspired by the band or, um, its album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Whatever you say, dudes.This beer says: I’m a little bit country, a little bit (indie) rock ‘n roll… and a little bit in denial.
Material Girl AleMade by:JW Lees (no longer in production)Tastes like: “nutty and fruity”Alcohol content: 7.5%This beer says: We are living in a material world, and naming our beer after Madonna should get us some press. Even though she has said she likes Guinness.
American Badass BeerA product of: Kid RockMade by:Michigan Brewing Company and Drinks Americas Holdings Ltd.Tastes like: Says Kid Rock: “People that like premium beers and Guinness is their [sic] of choice, they will not like this. I want this to be like the beer I drink. You grab it, you share it with your friends, it’s refreshing, it’s cold, it gives you a good buzz. Done.”Alcohol content: We’re thinking low.This beer says: I like my music like my beer: Watered down and unremarkable.
Loser Pale AleA tribute to: Sub Pop Records on its 20th birthday (no longer in production)Made by:Elysian Brewing CompanyTastes like: According to one Beer Advocate reviewer, “It has a great creamy head. Lots of good lacing. The color is a perfect amber. There is very little aroma. Just a hint of roasted malt and bread. It has a lot of flavor throughout. The hops are present but not overpowering. A bit of grapefruit cuts it. Under it is a nice, maybe banana flavor which lends to a certain sweetness to it. Maybe a bit too sweet. And behind that and into the aftertaste and breath is some alcohol. Probably it’s main weakness. At ‘only’ 7% it should have that much of an alcohol flavor to it. And if you belch, there is definitely an odd carbonation flavor to it. Overall it’s worth a try. Good but has a couple flaws to it that prevent it from being great.”Alcohol content: 7%Fun fact: The beer’s label features a photo of long-time Sub Pop act Mudhoney by renowned rock photographer Charles Peterson.This beer says: I’m a music snob and a beer snob.
Ruben & the JetsAn homage to: Frank Zappa’s 1968 album Cruising with Ruben and the JetsMade by:LagunitasTastes like: “… loads of licorice & sweet toffee and either plum or prunes sitting right there with it, little bitterness, def. has some grass/hay in there right about midway, some kinda spices and a touch of mineral in the finish, hardly any alcohol either, could be a bit stronger in the overall flavor, however,” says one Beer Advocate critic.Alcohol content: 8.6%This beer says: I’d rather be smoking pot.
Brother Thelonius BeerAn homage to: Thelonius MonkMade by:North Coast BrewingTastes like: “Like a Belgian ‘Dark Strong Ale’, the beer is rich and robust with an ABV of 9.3%.”Alcohol content: See above.Fun fact: A portion of the proceeds for the beer’s sale goes to the Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz.This beer says: I want to listen to some good jazz, but mostly, I want to get hopelessly wasted.
Land Shark LagerA product of: Jimmy BuffettMade by: Funny you should ask. Much as Buffett wanted us to believe that it’s brewed by Margaritaville Brewing Co. in Jacksonville, FL, it seems the suds are actually made by Anheuser-Busch.Tastes like: Says the Beer Snob, “Imagine drinking a good lager down to the last swallow, then filling the rest of the bottle with water. Then drinking it. You’ve just had a Landshark Lager. There is barely a hop note that appears mid-finish, but for the most part it’s like drinking sparkling water. Depth of flavor: absolutely none. So light bodied it could be anorexic.” And this from a self-described Parrothead!Alcohol content: A paltry 3.2%