What would Procol Harum drink?

Bring on the vestal virgins.

The White IPAs are upon us. This is not a bad idea, marrying Belgian White beers with New World hops, at least until somebody starts writing new style guidelines. Last year’s collaboration beers from Deschutes Brewery and Boulevard Brewing proved that. Boulevard’s version even won a medal at the Great American Beer Festival (in the American-Belgo-Style Ale category).

The skinny:

* Deschutes Chainbreaker White I.P.A. It will released be in the Northwest in March. Not the same recipe as in the collaboration with Boulevard (no sage, for one thing). 5.6% ABV, 60 IBUs.

* Samuel Adams Whitewater IPA. Available now in the Brewer’s Choice Variety 12-Pack and soon in six-packs. Hops from the American Northwest and Australia. 5.8% ABV.

* Saranac White IPA. “We’ve taken a delicious American IPA bursting with Citra hops, and given it a whole new direction by adding the refreshing fruitiness of orange peel & coriander and the softening characters of wheat malt and oats.” 6% ABV.

And, yes, there’s every chance I posted this only so I could add still more links to different versions of “Whiter Shade of Pale” . . .
– A version with strings (tent included).
Joe Cocker. I apologize if you get an obnoxious ad.
Gov’t Mule.
Percy Sledge. Not at his best, but comes with lyrics you can read.
Annie Lennox. Honest to goodness, you have different Annie Lennox versions to choose from. I went with artsy.
Willie Nelson. Yes, there’s every chance I’ve spent too much time fully vetting these videos.

10 thoughts on “What would Procol Harum drink?”

  1. I love that Saranac have “taken a delicious American IPA bursting with Citra hops, and given it a whole new direction by adding the refreshing fruitiness of orange peel & coriander and the softening characters of wheat malt and oats”, and not just dry-hopped the hell out of a batch of witbier, no sir-ee.

    Either way, I’m sure the results will be pretty good. For me, a fresh hopfenweisse is totally unbeatable, and I’d imagine that a fresh White IPA (see how readily I’ve adopted that term, and without a quibble?) would be equally tasty.

  2. Procol Harum’s lead singer Gary Brooker was a pub owner in Britain in the 1970’s (The Parrot Inn in Surrey). The band are known to enjoy bottles of beer during their performances, and at least one 1970’s member of the band was a real ale aficionado.
    However, when I saw Procol Harum performing in New York City just a few years ago, during and after the show Brooker and most of the band were sipping on bottles of Heineken (although it should be noted that the concert venue did not have a very extensive beer selection). I bought a round for the band after the show, and at least one member of the band opted for a draught pint of Bass Ale.

  3. Okay, he proved me wrong — that was pretty good with his golden pipes.

    But you can’t make me push the Micahel Bolton link!

  4. “Yes, there’s every chance I’ve spent too much time fully vetting these videos.”

    I think you tapped into some odd musical vortex Stan — who knew so many had covered Procol Harum? Johnny Rivers and the Hollies? Both pretty good versions.

    The song is like the beer style!

    Still not clicking the Bolton link…

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