Top 5 Indie Band Tribute Beers
See? That’s Sam Calagione with a GBV shirt on.
In last week’s top-5, I predicted there would be some indie rock tribute beers this year. Since I want to be part of the solution and not the problem, I have decided to post five possible examples of beers that could be brewed as a way to properly recognize the chemistry that exists between indie rock and craft beer.
5. Dogfish Head Guided By Voices Heavy Lager – I once heard Bob Pollard proclaim on stage that he drinks “Bud Heavy” and not Bud Light. So, I think Dogfish Head needs to produce a “heavy” lager, maybe an imperial pilsner or high ABV bock of some sort and dedicate it to the reunited classic GBV lineup. I chose Dogfish Head because they’ve done this sort of thing before and there’s a picture of Sam Calagione wearing a GBV t-shirt out there somewhere.
4. Stillwater Bright Eyes Angst-Ridden Saison, Aged in Red Wine Barrels – I once had a pretty in-depth discussion about Bright Eyes with Stillwater brewer Brian Strumke. So, I know he’s a fan and would totally be into this sort of thing. I also know that Conor Oberst loved some red wine. If anyone could figure out a way to brew the perfect beer involving a red wine barrel (Pinot Noir possibly?), it’s Brian. This is actually the beer on this list that I personally think has the best chance of actually happening.
3. The Bruery Pavement Pilsner, AKA Watery Domestic – Of course I had to figure out a way to work Pavement into a beer. I suspect The Bruery could tap into Pavement’s Northern California aesthetic from their early days and brew their first commercially-available pilsner in the process. Since it’s from The Bruery, expect some flavors and adjuncts that will throw you for a loop.
2. Shmaltz Brewing Company He’Brew Yo La Tengo Barley Wine – A better brewery and band pairing would be hard to conjure. Shmaltz calls NYC home and specializes in Jewish-themed brews with their He’Brew line, particularly their Hanukkah gift pack. Yo La Tengo hails from across the river in Hoboken, but they spend a lot of time in the City. Every year, YLT celebrates their Jewish heritage with a set of shows each night of Hanukkah. A huge barley wine that improves with age would be ideal.
1. Just About Any Portland Brewery to Brew an IPA in Honor of Just About Any Portland Band – I get that this will be seen as a cop-out, but how could one narrow Portland’s beer and music scenes to just one brewery and one band. The one thing that isn’t hard to figure out is the beer’s style. An IPA makes the most sense here as some of the best come from Portland. Their bitterness can be a turn-off for some at first, but eventually the joy that is a Wests Coast IPA is discovered. The same goes for the average Portland indie band.
Update: This happened today. Let’s get on this, Stillwater, Bruery, Schmaltz, et al.
Beer and Pavement 
Somewhere in the storage area of my mom’s basement, I have hidden away an empty bottle of Shiraz that Mr. Oberst chugged on stage at a show in 2002 at the Blue Note, and then proceeded to fall into the drum set.
At least I think it’s still there. She might have thrown it out thinking it was something I hid there when I was underaged.
If you found it, I would totally brew a beer for it and send it to Oberst.
I think there are beers out there that use wine barrels in their aging at least. Heavy Seas released a Barleywine two months ago that is aged in cabernet barrels.
There are and Brian has brewed at least one. I was lucky enough to get a sip when I ran into him in Richmond, VA. I’ve wanted to experiment at some point with wine-soaked oak, but I have yet to take the plunge. Maybe this spring…
Just had some Stillwater Ales in Philly on 12/28 at a place called The Farmer’s Cabinet for a Philly Beer Tweet-up. Brian was there, but I didn’t get to meet him. Their Saison was delicious! Hope to see more of their beers in the Philly area.
One of the interesting things about Brian’s beers is that they all use a Saison yeast strain. He doesn’t brew for style, but they’re all essentially Saisons.
Watery, Domestic is probably my favorite Pavement.
It’s hard to beat four perfect songs.
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