.png)
Megadeth discuss brewing with Black Sheep Brewery, the craft behind Rattlehead, and why great beer needs harmony as much as great music.
Beneath the low hum of amplifiers and the buzz of anticipation ahead of their performance, Megadeth took a different kind of stage. Hosted by Phil Alexander, Global Creative Director, Kerrang!, at the O2 InterContinental Hotel, Dave Mustaine and the band gathered with members of the press to talk taste, craftsmanship and the art of brewing.
At the heart of the conversation on October 26 was Megadeth Beer Co., the band’s brand new beer, created in collaboration with Black Sheep Brewery. The partnership has already seen success with Rattlehead IPA, Rattlehead Pilsner and Rattlehead IPA Zero, now available in 450 Tesco stores across the UK & online at megadethbeer.com
When the conversation turned to the process of brewing, Mustaine’s respect for the craft was clear: “You have a recipe that’s a quality recipe. Those brewers are the rock stars of the beer business.”
He added: “Like in a band, you need harmony. Brewing’s the same. You’ve got to listen to the people who know how to make it sing.”
On the instantly recognisable Rattlehead branding, Mustaine and the band remarked: “It’s a symbol that’s always stood for grit and survival. It looks powerful on a can; like it’s meant to be there.”
Discussing flavour, Mustaine remained focused on authenticity and balance: “Some brewers might turn their nose up at zero-alcohol beer, but we all know that moment when you just want the taste – not the aftermath. It’s about balance, not compromise.”
Asked which Megadeth tracks best pair with each brew, Dave Mustaine and James LoMenzo offered: “The IPA? Probably ‘Peace Sells’. The Pilsner? Maybe ‘Mechanix’. You’ve got to get that engine running somehow.”
While the conversation touched on ideas for darker or bolder future brews, Mustaine emphasised the excitement surrounding Megadeth Beer Co.’s growing European presence, noting that the focus now lies in bringing its distinct taste and identity to new markets across the continent.
Closing the session, Mustaine reflected on longevity and passion – both in music and brewing: “Maybe I’m just too stubborn to go away. But when it stops being fun, that’s when people lose their passion. For me, whether it’s music or beer, it’s still fun.”
Megadeth’s final, self-titled album will be released on 23rd January 2026 via Dave Mustaine’s Tradecraft imprint in partnership with Frontiers Label Group’s new BLKIIBLK label. Preorder it here. The album includes ‘Tipping Point’, the previously released first single, and a very special bonus track: a reimagined version of ‘Ride The Lightning’, which Mustaine co-wrote with Metallica’s James Hetfield, Cliff Burton, and Lars Ulrich and was the title track from the group’s 1984 album.
“As I come full circle on the career of a lifetime, the decision to include ‘Ride The Lightning’, a song I co-wrote with James, Lars, and Cliff, was to pay my respects to where my career first started,” Mustaine said.
Comments
Post a Comment