We love a good party, so we’re excited to be providing the beer at Mostly Jazz, Soul & Funk Festival and Moseley Folk & Arts Festival right here in Birmingham this year.
There’s nothing better than being at a festival with a great beer in hand. But have you ever thought about how the music you’re listening to might actually change how that beer tastes? In the same way certain foods complement different styles, music can shape the flavours you experience too. Catherine was asked to put a beer and music pairing together featuring some of the bands at the festivals this July and September.
There’s been plenty of research into how sound affects taste, and more recently, beer writer Pete Brown has explored this in his book Tasting Notes. I was lucky enough to chat with Pete about it, and it definitely got me thinking.
So when I was asked to put together some beer pairings for the lineup, I jumped at the chance. We’re bringing a great mix of keg and cask beers to the festival, and with such a strong and varied lineup, there was plenty of inspiration to work with.
Like food pairings, it’s all about matching character and intensity. Lighter, upbeat sets pair perfectly with crisp, refreshing beers like Pilsner or Clasp. For something deeper and more full-bodied, with heavier rhythms and richer tones, you want a beer to match, our cask Amber Ale, Quarter, fits that beautifully. And for those smooth, laid-back grooves, it had to be Intuition, our easy-drinking flagship pale ale.
Of course, everyone experiences these things differently. So if you’re heading down this year, grab a beer, take in the music, and see what works for you…and let us know your favourite pairings.
Check out the pairings below plus Spotify playlists are available for both Mostly Jazz and Moseley Folk. Get your Mostly Jazz tickets and Moseley Folk tickets now!
Mostly Jazz Pairings
Artist: Fabio and Grooverider
Song: Circles 7” Edit
Beer Pairing: Pilsner (4.2%) - Lager
Our super refreshing Pilsner is a perfect match for the light, fizzing vibes of this song. The beer is designed to make you come back for more just like the beats here which keep you dancing all night long.
Artist: Soul II Soul
Song: Keep on Movin’
Beer Pairing: Ingot (4%) - Golden Ale
Making me think of the warm, golden evening light this song is a true classic. So it’s a great match to Ingot our Golden Ale, light, refreshing and a guaranteed new classic.
Artist: Sampa The Great
Song: Energy
Beer Pairing: Helles (5.2%) - Lager
Packed with smooth beats, great lyrics and a real message, Sampa’s song is asking for a premium beer partner. The smooth, rich flavours of Helles are perfect - not loud but making itself heard in an unhurried way.
Artist: Jordan Rakei
Song: Borderline
Beer Pairing: Intuition (4.4%) - Pale Ale
This song has a smooth, chilled, mellow vibe. Our flagship pale, Intuition, is the beer equivalent, smooth, chilled with all its flavours in harmony.
Artist: Jalen Ngonda
Song: If you don’t want my love
Beer Pairing: Clasp (3.4%) - Pale Ale
With the song reflecting an old school motown, easy listening style, our core cask pale Clasp pairs perfectly. Its light flavours, gentle bitterness and refreshing finish match that old school aesthetic.
Artist: Thee Sacred Souls
Song: Lucid Girl
Beer Pairing: Lucid (0.5%) - Low Alc Pale Ale
There really wasn’t anything else to pair with this! The light, fruity, flavour of the beer reflects the smooth and mellow song perfectly.
Moseley Folk Pairings
Artist: Kingfishr
Song: Diamonds and Roses
Beer Pairing: Centro (4%) - Session IPA
This uplifting, sing along song needs a beer to match. Bring on our session IPA Centro - this light, bright beer has a smooth flavour with some citrus notes cutting through.
Artist: Super Furry Animals
Song: Golden Retriever
Beer Pairing: Quarter (4.5%) - Amber Ale
This is an upbeat, stomping, bouncy number (not unlike a golden retriever!) so needs a similarly punchy beer. Our core Amber Ale is packed with deep flavours, malty notes and a long finish.
Artist: The Dead South
Song: That Bastard Son
Beer Pairing: Pilsner (4.2%) - Lager
If this song doesn’t get you on your feet jigging around nothing will. You’ll need a refreshing beer to partner with this that pushes you on to the next dance and sip and Pilsner is just that beer.
Artist: Frank Turner
Song: I still believe
Beer Pairing: Intuition (4.4%) - Pale Ale
A classic song with perfect lyrics for a music festival we could only pair it with our classic Intuition. Packed with flavour, balanced and overall uplifting.
Artist: Big Special
Song: Black Dog/White Horse
Beer Pairing: Helles (5.2%) - Lager
This song is full of mellow, rhythmic vibes, for the slower moments in the evening. Pair this with our lager that’s turned up to 11 Helles. Designed to be enjoyed in slower moments, its depth will pair perfectly.
Artist: Katherine Priddy
Song: Indigo
Beer Pairing: Clasp (3.4%) - Pale Ale
Katherine’s smooth, chilled song requires a light beer to accompany it. Helping you relax in the afternoon sun is Clasp, a light, refreshing pale ale with gentle, floral hop notes.