Ölbeat 013: De Molen Rook & Vuur (Smoke & Fire)

Brewery: Brouwerij de Molen
Country: the Netherlands
Style: Smoked Stout
Abv: 8,2 %
@RateBeer

If there's smoke, there can be fire...

The brewery describes Rook & Vuur as "a subtle balance between smoke, chocolate and chili peppers". The beer is made with whiskey and roasted barley malts and Czech Sladek hops. Combining strong stout body with smoky whiskey taste and hot spiciness of chili was something that caught my eye. I just had to have a taste.

What about the beer?
Colour is dark brown to black with a tiny vanishing head. Aroma gently mixes intense smoke, roasted malts and black dark-blend coffee. Taste starts with peaty smoked and roasted malts. Gentle chili and spice flavor hits the tongue. Palate adds smooth bitterness. Aftertaste is long, smoky and bitter. This is pretty thick stuff, but every sip makes you wait for the next.

Being a friend of thick stouts, smoky Islay whisky and spicy food this one does the trick. Very rich and complex beer for "an hour and some", if one can resist the smoothness. Every piece fits the puzzle.

Ölbeat

With the beer with smoke, fire and fierce attitude, you have to have an aggressive rock song. When a heavy metal band of 2000's gets some additional aggression from the singer of the legendary Judas Priest, you ought to have it. 

Five Finger Death Punch ft. Rob Halford: Lift Me Up (YouTube)

From the 2013 album The Wrong Side of Heaven and the Righteous Side of Hell, Volume 1, the opening track starts with heavy guitar-bass-drum intro. The band's vocalist Ivan L. Moody sings the first verse and chorus, and guest singer Rob Halford takes the lead on the second verse. Moody has stated that the song's intent is to inspire: the lyrics are about overcoming obstacles and less-than-perfect circumstances in life, that many people are born with. Like the song is about getting lifted up from the flames and the ashes, Rook & Vuur is high above just smoke and fire.

Brewer's Choice

Red Hot Chili Peppers: Give It Away (YouTube)

From the 1991 album Blood Sugar Sex Magik, the track is the lead single and commercially one of the band's most successful songs. It's trademarked with guitarist John Frusciante's and bassist Flea's seamless riffing and prominent bassline. Singer Anthony Kiedis first came up with the chorus "Give it away, give it away, give it away now", since the phrase was something that he wanted in a song of the upcoming album. The song's lyrics - mostly random phrases with no or loose connections - circle around the ideas of selflessness and altruism - something that Kiedis had learned from German punk rock singer Nina Hagen.