We're used to pairing beers or spirits with meals. But how about with music? Holbeck brewery Northern Monk Brew Co. has announced a special new project that claims to be the UK's first album and beer pairing.
Put together over the course of the summer, Northern Monk teamed up with Leeds indie label Hide & Seek Records to create the compilation 'Northern Industry'.
The 11 track album contains a number of new and unheard tunes by some of the best DIY and independent band in the North, including Post War Glamour Girls, Battle Lines, By The Sea, Molars, Big Love and Then Thickens.
According to Dan O'Dell from Hide and Seek records, the tracks are 'primed for whetting the appetites of shoe gazers, post-punkers, art-rockers and synth-pop fans galore', with each song chosen for their 'darkness'.
This darkness means that 'Northern Industry' the album can be paired with Northern Industry the beer – a New Zealand-hopped Cascadian dark ale which is 'almost black and silky smooth with dark chocolate character, followed by a big, juicy hop burst with floral hints, soft flesh fruit and grape'.
Each bottle of Northern Industry (featuring label images created by photographer Giles Smith) will come with a link to download the compilation album. The bottles will be available in the Northern Monk Refectory & Tap Room, as well as good beer shops across the country.
Northern Monk Brew Co.
To celebrate the pairing, Northern Monk will be taking over Brudenell Social Club on November 21 for the Northern Industry Launch Party. You can find more information about the party at the website.
Northern Industry Launch Party. November 21. 33 Queen's Rd, Leeds LS6 1NY
Read more about the best craft beer in the UK with Time Out's craft beer guide.