As Jim and I were sampling pumpkin beers a few months ago, one of us mentioned that there were notes of brown sugar in a beer that we tasted. (Listen to the podcast here). Jim offhandedly suggested that the Rolling Stones’ classic, “Brown Sugar” should be the next track to be a part of the “Sixpack and a Cover Song” series. Of course, I’m up for any challenge, so I soon got to work sampling six beers, either brown ales or those with a sugary element to them.
For the beer, we will be trying four different brown ales, one nitro pumpkin beer, and one peanut butter stout, all of which fit with “Brown Sugar” just fine. For the songs, there is the Stones’ original, a faithful rendition by Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, and a completely deconstructed version by Ryan Adams. Finally, the wooooo of Little Richard rounds out the covers. We’re not done yet though! D’Angelo and ZZ Top also have songs with the same title although they are their own songs, not covers. They are thrown in here too.
FYI: It’s disappointing that the reissued Stones’ Sticky Fingers album no longer includes a working zipper on the pants!
The Rolling Stones and Southern Tier’s Pumpking Nitro
For the original, and one that still truly rocks after so many years, we’re pairing it with the super smooth Pumpking nitro. The Pumpking won our pumpkin beer taste test this year. Afterward, I found this nitro version. It is so creamy, the pumpkin flavor just oozes out. Even though brown sugar isn’t an ingredient, the sweetness fits the theme.
Steven Tyler and Nuno Bettencourt and Bunker Brewing’s Libbytown Brown
Tyler teams up with the guitarist from Extreme for this Muscle Shoals tribute album. The Stones recorded “Brown Sugar” in this Alabama town known for recording other artists such as Gregg Allman, Candi Staton, and Etta James. Tyler’s version doesn’t stray far from the original but includes a full horn section and backup vocalists. For the brown ale, Bunker’s version is pretty standard too, and is a good representation of this style.
Little Richard and Widowmaker’s Candymaker
Candy, sugar, get it? Little Richard starts off wooing his way through the octaves in his version. He keeps it funky with pronounced horns and backup singers. It may drive you wild enough to try this peanut butter stout from Widowmaker Brewing Company. It’s got a full stout taste complemented by peanut butter but not in an intrusive way. Kind of like Little Richard’s woos complement the song and don’t overpower it.
Ryan Adams and Woodstock Inn’s Double Pig’s Ear
I can’t believe this is the same song! Through Ryan’s stripped-down piano version the stark, shocking lyrics really come through. Nodding your head to a cover band playing this song at the local bar, it’s easy to gloss over the lyrical content. Adams’ images of slave ships and the pronouncing of uncomfortable verses definitely puts a new spin on this. I paired this with Woodstock Inn’s Double Pig’s Ear. When I saw the double version of their ever-popular Pig’s Ear Brown Ale, I was surprised, just as I was when I heard Adams’ take on the Stones’ classic.
ZZ Top and Smuttynose’s Old Brown Dog
When I think of brown ales, I think of Newcastle and Smuttynose. It was one of the first New England breweries that I associated with the brown ale. The Old Brown Dog is an easy-drinking beer that is typical of this style. Enjoying it with this ZZ Top song, ease into the beer during the slow intro before it picks up pace. A bluesy track in its own right, it is a different song, but still works in this context.
D’Angelo and Fox Farm’s Scatter
This mid-90s hit from R & B artist, D’Angelo is a smooth, jazzy track and still sounds good 25 years later. Certainly different from the original song, it has become a classic in its own right. For this, I’m pairing my favorite beer of the bunch, Scatter, a brown ale from Fox Farm. Of all of the beers, this has the most distinct taste. The brown ale’s flavor really comes through with earthy flavors and a roastiness and toastiness to it.
From the original and three covers, plus two other songs also named “Brown Sugar,” we have heard different styles and versions. For the beer, from a peanut butter stout to a pumpkin beer plus four brown ales, it’s been a perfect project for the late autumn. Click here for a list of all the Cover Songs series
