Perfect Pair: Prancing Pony’s The Zeppelin Neipa X ‘Kashmir’ By Led Zeppelin
Tumblers and turntables at the ready...
Tasting Notes
Prancing Pony’s The Zeppelin NEIPA: Prancing Pony know how to get the best out of their hops, and their NEIPA, The Zeppelin, is no exception. A flagship beer for the Totness brewery, this New England India Pale Ale is delightfully heavy in the mouth thanks to its fruit-forward, citrus notes. It hasn’t landed the same legendary status as Prancing Pony’s award-winning India Red Ale (which catapulted the brewery into the global spotlight when it won the Supreme Champion Beer at London’s International Beer Challenge in 2016). But for those in the know, this fine hazy is what the beer is all about.
SLEEVE NOTES
‘Kashmir’ by Led Zeppelin: It was always going to be a Led Zep track, wasn’t it? ‘Kashmir’ was released on Physical Graffiti (1975) – a later album for the band but perhaps their most ambitious. Its run-time clocks over the 80-minute mark, nine of which are attributed to the orchestral rock masterpiece that is ‘Kashmir’. Most people would recognise the now-iconic strings that drive this track’s suspenseful edge. It’s often compared to ‘Stairway to Heaven’ due to both being progressive epics, but it didn’t quite receive the same reception. However, people still consider ‘Kashmir’ to be one of the best examples of Led Zeppelin’s groundbreaking artistry.
THEY’RE PERFECTLY PAIRED BECAUSE...
Both almost fall victim of their own previous successes (imagine ‘Kashmir’ in 1971!) but are exceptional in their own right. They’re progressive, exciting and unexpected – elements only achievable by those who aren’t scared to break the rule book, push the boundaries and create something that redefines the genre. Yeah, perhaps they aren’t the go-to choice (looking at you ‘Stairway to Heaven’ and IRA). But damn, they still hit the spot.
