C.J's Crisis

Former Pussycat Doll. Cicerone certified beer server. Beauty school dropout.

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Bon.

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Hitachi Hit

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Phwoar!

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Classic combo! No nonsense straight to the point. The beer is “Great Eastern IPA” 7.4% India Pale Ale from @redchurchbrewer a perfect example of what an IPA should be, high ABV, balanced sugars and hops straight down the middle, no muss no fuss, great beer! The record is “Pin” limited edition 7” in blood red by @yeahyeahyeahs shows off everything you need to know about this band at the time, poignant and subtle in moments and balls to the fucking wall everywhere else, a peach of a track all down up in under two minutes. Both are flat out perfect for their style and honestly, isn’t this all we ever really wanted? #beerandvinylpairings #yeahyeahyeahs #ipa #redchurch #london #nyc #nylon #vinyl #craftbeerporn (at London Borough of Islington) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpnXVrOgwgx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=hryhiuc4lv8a

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It’s a lot to unpack on a Saturday night but let’s have a punt. The beer is @wiperandtrue “Joy as an act of resistance” 6.2% IPA Brewed for @bristolbeerweek in collaboration with the fantastic Bristol based band @idlesband it’s blackcurrant and hibiscus infused body is the the feature, but what is going on in the background is the story. Mosaic and Mt Hood are right in the aroma leading you into a false sense of security then BAM! Not what you’re expecting. Much like this review, I like Idles, I like them a lot. I don’t own anything by them on vinyl (I’m sad to say) and you’d think that given that they had a hand in brewing this peach of an IPA and that they make music they like it would be a perfect pairing. But like the beer the record I pulled out of my collection was a split 7” Single (1/1000 on transparent blue) between @wavves and @weezer particularly the Wavves side covering the B-side to “El-Scorchio”, a track called “You Gave Your Love To Me Softly” (the flip side is an unreleased at the time track “Fake Smiles and Nervous Laughter” from the 2016 self titled realease or “White Album” if you will) Just saying if you love good people that for whatever reason get together to create something surprising, that happen to create two things that go together hand in hand... then this is the perfect pairing for you. Also both the beer and tracks are total bangers... I should’ve said that up front. Thanks to my new local @brewdogangel for supplying me the beer, I have an OG Punk IPA case holding my 7” collection... can’t believe I haven’t mentioned that to you guys yet. Cheers! #beerandvinylpairings #idles #brewdog #wiperandtrue #wavves #weezer #vinyl #blue #delicious #londonlife (at Islington) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoC3RJtlk7t/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=16rz4iwz6llky

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I’ve had a really reflective week. Celebrating a new job, I’ve been really wistful thinking about all of the good old days before moving on to something new. Subsequently I’ve been super hankering after a taste of something old school. The beer is a classic “Broadside” 6.3% English Strong Ale from @adnams It’s smokey toffee and dark fruit back with it’s long lasting herbal bitterness is exceptional when bottled. On cask it’s a different kettle of fish, it’s super sessionable from a pump (mostly due to the lower ABV). I once heard a great story from @bromleydaz about a trade show that had bottled Broadside that knocked him a bit skew whiff. The record that is a spot on pairing for this beer, is a 12” white label. One of two copies in existence commissioned from @birdshitrecords “Liquid Inspiration Podcast Session 126 - Overrun! (2016 Single Cut)” On crisp, 180 gram black vinyl. The show that was originally released on the 7th of September 2012 It’s a super-cut of me and Old Brommers in our prime. Me giggling about Chinese Lucha Libre wrestling jellyfish and his good self railing about high speed internet company call centres and the odd practice of cinema stock takes. It’s a comfort to know that six years after this was recorded this beer is still just as tasty and my colleague and I are exactly the same amount of funny. As ever, it’s here! It’s beer! It’s a stock item! Cheers! #beerandvinylpairings #liquidinspirationpodcast #adnams #broadside #whitelabel (at Ashford, Kent)

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Celebrating. #craftbeerporn #🍻 #ihavenoideawhatimdoing #shitorgetoffthepot (at Taproom TN23)

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Like old friends that you don’t see nearly enough, but when you do meet up it’s like no time has passed at all. @omnipollo “Mazarin” 5.6% Oatmeal Pale Ale. Lemon notes up top, Elderflower in the middle with a honey caramel finish that packs just the right level of hop bitterness. It’s friend is “Keep it like a secret” by @builttospill warm tones, loose grooves and killer beats. The combination of these two, it’s like nothing bad in the world ever happened, pure positive good times. It’s like coming home. Cheers! #beerandvinylpairings #omnipollo #vinyl #builttospill #craftbeerporn (at Ashford, Kent)

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I’ve been going back and forth on this “Heineken minority stake in Beavertown” thing for a while, wondering where I stood as someone that respects the DIY, independent attitude of craft beer, my favourite breweries (Stone and Mikkeller spring immediately to mind, not sure they would ever consider this deal!) yet, I work in an industry that being involved with “big beer” is almost unavoidable. Ever had a pint of Guinness? Or shelled out for a delicious, smokey, peaty 16 year old Lagavulin? Congrats, your giving money to the same company… are they bad products? Are they mass produced in the same way? Do they inhibit small businesses from thriving? You just can’t answer yes to all of the above. It’s not the same model as a true craft / artisanal / homemade product (my love, my passion) but is it a good enough reason to boycott a small(er) business’ products? It’s got to be a no from me. Beer is the great equaliser, you like what you like, everyone is different. Maybe I’m wrong. I don’t know.

(Side note: My love for Nigerian Guinness is well documented and even though it is a separate subsidiary, it’s obviously owned by the same parent company. The brewery employs many workers for several beer brands.)

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Randy Mosher, the “Sandy Cohen” of Craft Beer. I love a hazy NE style IPA. His books are such a great aid for anyone considering any stage of Cicerone.

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But more so... T H I S  I N  M Y  H E A D. E V E R Y  S I N G L E  D A M N  M I N U T E  O F  E V E R Y  S I N G L E  D A M N  D A Y ! !

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THIS IN MY HEAD! E V E R Y  S I N G L E  D A Y !

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For those who hate compromises. Doing their own thing knowing that it won’t be well received by most and producing it anyway. A perfect pairing of “fuck you, this is us”. The beer is “Arrogant Bastard Ale” 7.2% by @stonebrewing style of its own (classified on the @stoneberlin website) IBU unknown (again classified). On the can the text starts “This is an aggressive beer. You probably won’t like it. It's quite doubtful that you have the taste or sophistication to be able to appreciate an ale of this quality and depth.” Incredibly hoppy aroma with notes of raisins and dark fruit, heavy fortifying roasty malty back with a bitter, bitter finish. I love it but, as the packaging states, it’s not likely to be for most. The record is “Spirit Club” by @spirit_club (here on limited run splatter gold) and it’s not an easy listen, the intentional lo-fi production is part of it’s beauty. Loops and samples of the band layer and add texture in places where you feel completely immersed. Again, I love it but, it’s not likely to be for most. Absolutely made for each other! #beerandvinylpairings #spiritclub #stonebrewing #arrogantbastard #craftbeerporn #vinyl #westcoast #bitter #🔥 #gold (at Ashford, Kent)

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What do I look for in a woman? Someone that listens to me would be nice! I am far too polite to spammers!

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Complex, full of things that shouldn’t work together at all yet produce something totally and uniquely special. Perfect for each other! The album is “In The Fishtank 9” a fantastic project where the record label @konkurrent.nl gave a band or (as in this case) bands, two days studio time to record and what is produced over that time is what is released. (I actually rate a couple of these as some of my favourite albums, most notable being ITF14 with Isis & Areogramme and of course, ITF12 by Karate, which is on constant play all year round for me!) ITF9 is a collaboration between bands The Ex, Instant Composers Pool and my faves, @sonicyouthofficial is a mixture of hooks, free solos, and flowing improvisation. The beer is “Xocoveza” 8.1% Imperial Stout by @stoneberlin the ingredients are very different from each other yet come together to form a match of flavour so unique yet so perfect! Cocoa, coffee, pasilla peppers, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg all working in harmony to produce a one of a kind taste! If there was ever a spot on perfect pairing between beer and vinyl this is it! #beerandvinylpairings #craftbeerporn #sonicyouth #theex #instantcomposerspool #inthefishtank #konkurrent #imperialstout #stone #berlin #art (at Ashford, Kent)

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The perfect chill after a very long week, self titled from @fleetwoodmacc, those warm tones of sound city, a British blues, then three piece with the addition of @lindsaybuckinghammusic and @stevienicks__ a most refreshing American born flavour by all accounts, released in July 1975. The beer, @anchorbrewing “Liberty Ale” 5.9% Piney, juicy bouquet with toasty malt back and a crisp dry finish. First brewed in April 1975 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Paul Revere’s historic ride. Coincidence these two are a perfect pairing? Impossible! #beerandvinylpairings #fleetwoodmac #anchorbrewing #craftbeerporn #paulrevere #vinyl #1975 #ale #blues #soundcity #london #la (at Ashford, Kent)

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Another solid pairing! “Young Mountain E.P” (pictured is the 10th anniversary edition in Gold sparkle) by @thiswilldestroyyoumusic Smooth and heavy, the drums on this record are solid and in stark contrast to the endless dreamy floating riffs. Hands down one of my all time faves! To go with it “Jet Black Heart” 4.7% Nitro Vanilla Milk Stout from @brewdogofficial I’ve always preferred this beer on draught in @brewdogbrighton whenever they have it on. It’s so good on nitro in the bar and it’s great to be able to finally enjoy it at home in the same way. If you’ve not experienced either I recommend you go and buy both of these immediately, you’re very welcome. #craftbeerporn #beerandvinylpairings #nitrostout #vinyl #thiswilldestroyyou #brewdog #postrock (at Ashford, Kent)