Smart Bets: Steep Canyon Rangers at Pisgah Brewing

As a man who is critical of both his beer and his music, I unabashedly endorse the pairing of Pisgah Brewing Company and Steep Canyon Rangers. This shindig on Pisgah’s outdoor stage celebrates the releases of both Nobody Knows You, the Rangers’ first independent full-length since last year’s collaboration with Steve Martin, and the Steep Canyon Ale, a dry pale brewed in honor of the Brevard-based bluegrass quintet. A crisp and refreshing brew should pair perfectly with the clean cuts on the group’s new LP. The title track finds them in their element, embedding a perky pop melody into a bramble of energetic mandolin and banjo. “Between the Midnight and the Dawn” sees them slowing to a drunken amble, gorgeous fiddle slashes ducking about nimbly amidst percussive picking. Fast or slow, Steep Canyon Rangers and a cold beer are a winning combination. Steep Canyon Rangers play the Pisgah Brewing Company on Saturday, May 19 alongside Red June. $20 to $50, 7:30 p.m. — Jordan Lawrence

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