Ol’ George #53: It’s the Great Pumpkin Beer, Charlie Brown!

 Ol’ George #53: It’s the Great Pumpkin Beer, Charlie Brown!

Notes on #53: 

1. This was an idea I had a year ago and couldn’t get to, saving it for later. I remembered it after finishing #52, realized it was almost Halloween and decided that this would be the week that I did two in one week, one right after the other. Make up for that one week in June that I skipped. I thought I could do it all in one evening, but, alas, this hand-coloring takes time. 

So, there we go, 53 strips in 13 months. In your face, haters and doubters! 

(Sorry, that makes me sound too much like our current butthead in chief.) 

2. George as a devil was an easy pick, Chester as Aladdin Sane seems out of left field, but I arrived at it naturally. Once I assigned my hatted characters non-hatted costumes, I thought that my hatless character should have one. But, no, Irma is no witch. She is a princess. 

The original version I wrote was a simple joke, but this comes out of Irma’s mouth oozing with sarcasm. 

3. It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is an astounding work of art centered around a child’s delusions. Where were the Van Pelts? Did they have no concern for their young son’s mania and his nights in the pumpkin patch, freezing himself, awaiting his imaginary fantasy creation? Where are the Peanuts parents? I hold them complicit! It’s bad enough what happened to Sally, Peppermint Patty, others, but when would the authorities finally become involved? Lucy actually behaves as a parent to Linus, while still allowing his odd beliefs, but in a real world…I wonder when he would give up the idea? You know what? I don’t want to know. 

Ol’ George #52: The Sign (part one)

 Ol’ George #52: The Sign (part one) .

Notes on #52:

1. In 2007, I did a sketch of an ill-tempered cat that I decided to render as an oil painting, something I hadn’t, and still haven’t, done much of. I wasn’t thrilled with the results, despite being satisfied with the basic design, and it went into my closet.

The next year, it inspired me to rework it for another project. I put a hat on his head, gave him a cigar, and this one was done in ink and watercolor. The project I intended the illustration for never saw the light of day, but I liked the work well enough to frame it and keep it on the wall. 

Sixteen years later, I was looking at that picture and got the idea for Ol’ George. The cigar was ditched but he remains hatted and blue. 

In January of this year, I thought about ordering stickers of some of my work and happened to have a pic of Bad Kitty on my phone. Soon, I had 100 Bad Kitty stickers to give to friends and plaster all over the place. A few months ago, I had a friend with better computer graphic skills help me rework the image into something maybe more commercial. Then, it hit me: this could be the logo for George’s new favorite beer! I thought back to a strip I did in July and, the ideas started flowing . There are a few more chapters here. I won’t do them all together, they will be broken up by one shots. 

Later, I realized that I had already shown George drinking a beer called Bad Kitty. Well. We can do two things: pretend this is a prequel or an origin story, or not worry about it. Either option is fine with me. I will not ret-con. 

2. This is the happiest I’ve ever drawn George. I’ll try to keep it to a minimum. 

3. Here we are at #52, under a year after I revealed this project to the world. I will strive to meet my goal of one a week, maybe even two, if I can. Not slowing down. #cat #cartoon #i

Hammerheart Dunkelwald Smoked Dunkelweizen Ale

 

Hammerheart Dunkelwald Smoked Dunkelweizen Ale.

6.1% ABV.

Hammerheart Brewing, Ely, Minnesota. 

Dark brown, nearly opaque, large and lasting cocoa-tinged head. 

In the nose: smoked malt sits right up from the start. Campfires and smoked meats. Dark malts beneath. 

In the mouth: smooth and delicious! Weizen sweetness blends perfectly chocolatey malt goodness, with that hint of smoke right behind. Slight caramel notes. This rides so clean on the palate. 

Ol’ George #51: 86 47

 Ol’ George #51: 86 47

Notes on #51:

1. This is the 3rd time that the star of his own strip has no lines. The first time was #3, which also featured Donald Trump, being kicked out of the Mos Eisley Cantina by bartender Wuher, who speaks the only line. It’s also the only one-panel strip (but won’t be the last). So, there is another bar George visits, but it’s a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. 

2. This one’s been on the hopper awhile, but I was stuck on the ending. Originally I imagined Irma dropping an anvil on his head, but I didn’t want her to be seen as violent. She did once threaten George with a baseball bat, but that was a movie parody and shouldn’t count. Once I put the Portland frog in there, it fell into place. 

It occurred to me that it might come off as a non-sequitor to some, but I’m not worried about that. There will always be some strips that not everyone will get. It occurred to while re-reading Krazy Kat that there are always some that I just won’t get. That’s okay. There’s always the pretty pictures and the shapes and colors. 

3. For the first time, no bird-theme beer ads on the wall (or tongue in cheek slogans), but evidence of the bar’s stance on Budweiser. 

Junkyard Uncle Chuck’s Czech

 

Junkyard Uncle Chuck’s Czech. Czech-style Pilsner lager. 

4.5 % ABV, Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, Minnesota.

Crystal clear, bright golden color, slim white head.

In the nose: lovely floral aromatics, beautiful hoppy expression.

In the mouth: fresh and zesty, light-bodied, easy drinking. Hop bitterness stays on the tongue and lasts through the bright, breezy finish. Touch of malt sweetness. Soft mouthfeel. A genuine pleasure.

I don’t drink a lot of pilsners, but I would if they were all as good as this. 

This Czech style Pilsner is the perfect companion for any fishing expedition, even if it's just sitting on the dock with your Uncle Chuck. Brewed with European malts and traditional hop varieties, this easy drinking, light-bodied beer is a fresh interpretation of a flavorful classic.

Ol’ George #50: Krazy He Calls Me

 Ol’ George #50: Krazy He Calls Me 

Note on #50:

1. I got the idea for Ol’ George last September after finishing a biography of “Krazy Kat” creator George Herriman. George takes his name from the cartoonist, as well as his hat-wearing habit, and the”0l’” appellation (though Herriman spelled it “ole”). (And, you may have noticed, no one actually calls him that.)

Over the past year and 49 strips, George has met Snoopy, Popeye, Bill the Cat, Charlie Brown, Cathy, Zippy the Pinhead, Fritz the Cat, Cosmo Cat, and Superman. Also in the past year, I have read and re-read every Krazy Kat volume in my collection, as well as whatever else the library had on hand. After closing the covers on Krazy and Ignatz The Complete Sunday Strips Volume Three 1935-1944, I knew that the only way to make #50 special was finally have George and Krazy meet. 

2. I could go on and on about how remarkable a comic strip Krazy Kat was, but you didn’t come here for that. I am one of those who eagerly and wholeheartedly declare it the greatest strip of all time. If you’ve never read it, I urge you to visit your local library and check out a volume. You have to have a heart ready to receive an enormous amount of whimsy and be able to accept about a dozen or so absurd conceits at once in order to get it. 

3. I realized too late an error. Krazy shouldn’t be saying “we had a tryss (“tryst”)”, it should have been “hed.”

4. For 31 years, Ignatz held an enmity for one resident of Coconino County alone, his hatred aimed only at the fanciful feline. I’m not the only cartoonist to imagine the mouse attacking his hero, brick in hand. Charles Schulz did so in the early ‘50’s. But he had Charlie Brown emitting a “heart react”, like Krazy would. I just couldn’t see George responding that way. Instead, his addled bean makes him sing Krazy’s favorite song. 

Venn Basic Decency Pale Ale

 Venn Basic Decency Pale Ale.

5% ABV, Venn Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota 

Clear, light amber-hued, slim white head.

In the nose: basic hoppiness, basic slight citrus. 

In the mouth: starts out mild, moves quick into clean hoppiness, delightful citrus, minor grapefruit and major lemon/lime. Nice and easy on the palate, crisp and refreshing, highly likable. 

Ol’ George #49: (title forthcoming)

 

Ol’ George #49: (title forthcoming)

Notes on #49

1. Vern, I’m sorry George called your beloved pup a “dumb mutt.” I can’t control him sometimes. 

2. There are nearly 20 beers out there with a “snozzberry” theme, most of them fruited sours. Geni’s is a Belgian lambic, and has been around since last week when I drew George drinking one on a birthday card for my friend Winona. She gets credit for naming Irma after writer Erma Bombeck, because bartenders give advice, as did E.B. I switched the spelling because I’s are easier to write than E’s. 

Junkyard Festbier Lager Bier

 Junkyard Festbier Lager Bier. 

Well, it’s October, perfect time to drink up some Oktoberfests. Twenty six more days for märzens! What, they’re taking down the tents in Munich? Whaddaya mean? 

5.3 % ABV, Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN. 

Clear, golden hued, ivory head. 

In the nose: herbal, floral, some slight sweetness. 

In the mouth: clean, light bodied, and exceptionally malty. Exquisitely drinkable, robustly flavorful. I am slowly but surely coming over to the Festbier style. It certainly has its charms. 

FESTBIER is our take on a crushable and crispy German style lager that will keep the party going!

With its smooth body, light mouth feel along with a stronger hop presences than our Junktoberfest, this will keep any classic celebration rolling into the wee hours of the morning

Headflyer California Love West Coast IPA

 Headflyer California Love West Coast IPA. 

7% ABV, 55 IBU, HeadFlyer, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Clear, bright golden hue, fine layer of ivory froth atop.

In the nose: highly hopped, prickly pine and citrus. Just right. 

In the mouth: starts out largely bitter and packed with grapefruit and lemon. Dry, brittle, beautiful. Clean, crisp, light bodied. Non-stop hoppiness. This one delivers.

I passed on a 4-pack because I wanted to try out this free sample first. Now, I’m going to make sure I get more next time I see it. Well-done West Coast. 

Wooden Ship Sparky’s Gone Rogue American IPA

 

Wooden Ship Sparky’s Gone Rogue American IPA.

Vera hops, terpenes. 5.3 % ABV, Wooden Ship Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Crimson colored, lightly hazed, slim white head. 

In the nose: soft and fruity, with an encroaching certain something. Dankness is coming….

In the mouth: fruity at the front, with practically no bitterness, something I look forward to in an IPA. Soft, light bodied, easy drinking, but lacking in character. I keep trying to like it, but it’s coming up short. Not sure what they’re going for, but I’m not digging it. 

An IPA made with Vera hops, as well as OG Kush and Sour Tangie terpenes!

Ol’ George #48: September Song

 Ol’ George #48: September Song

Notes on #48: 

1. George has a poetic side to his soul. Leave it to one of his good Ol’ drinking buddies to bring him back down to earth. It’s what drinking buddies are for. 

2. I don’t know how many windows Kelly’s bar has, but it’s probably not a lot. I’ll bet they’re small and don’t reveal much to the outside world and vice versa. 

Half Acre Sunset Vallejo India Pale Ale

 Half Acre Sunset Vallejo India Pale Ale.

6.7% ABV, Half Acre Brewing, Chicago, IL. 

Clear, bright golden hue, large and lasting ivory head. 

In the nose: soft, floral, slightly citric, a trifle tropical. 

In the mouth: grapefruit zest, big bitterness, lemons, bracingly refreshing. Citrus bonanza. Ridiculously delicious. Light bodied, lean and clean, big time citrusy hop attack. 

A matching malt bill to the original with a different collection of hops, en route to creamy tangerine, fresh lime and candied waters.

Junkyard West Is Best West Coast Style IPA

 Junkyard West Is Best West Coast Style IPA.

6.6 % ABV, Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, Minnesota. 

Clear, bright golden, slim white head. 

In the nose: popping with prickly pine and succulent citrus, vibrant and illuminating.

In the mouth: blast of hoppiness at first, bracing, brittle, bitter. Grapefruit and orange at play on the palate. Dank, sticky, beautifully bitter, judiciously juicy. Medium bodied, highly likable. Yum….a dum dum. 

This is flat out delicious. Make more, make more! 

West Coast IPA's are the clear victor in the bitter battle for world domination...

We designed this beer to be enjoyed all by itself and also mixed with the East Coast IPA , East is Sweet. Have fun and experiment! Just don't cause any international incidents!

Brewed in collaboration with Hollingbery Hops. Special thanks goes to our sales guy Steve, who we call our "Dealer".

This beer is hopped with Comet, Chinook, and Citra hops. 

Headflyer Pröst Malone Festbier

 Headflyer Pröst Malone Festbier.

5.8 %, 20 IBU, Headflyer Brewing, Minneapolis, MN. 

Did you know that there are at least 24 other beers with this name? You can’t keep a good pun down, it seems. 

Clear, bright golden hue, voluminous ivory head.

In the nose: sweet and malty, classically hopped. Bready, earthy, inviting. 

In the mouth: sweetness slaps the palate from the start, but kept from cloying with just-so balance. Delicious. Medium bodied, easy drinkability. 

I may be turning into a fan of festbiers, you never know. 

Grab a stain and say congratulations- smooth malt vibes and toasty notes that hit better now than ever. Pröst Malone is here for good times, cold pours, and no more thirstin’.

Central Waters Why Is The Cake Gone?

 

Central Waters Why Is The Cake Gone? Brewer’s Reserve. Imperial Porter Aged in Rum Barrels with Natural

13.3 % ABV, 30 IBU, Central Waters Brewing, Amherst, Wisconsin. 

Opaque, thoroughly black, slim cocoa-tinged ring above. 

In the nose: cake and frosting. Sickeningly sweet. Overly sugary. Just about gross. 

In the mouth: oooh, more overwhelming sweetness, more sugary grotesqueries. What did they do to make it do damned confectionery and how do we lose track of the rum barrel and the imperial porter? Every new sip brings more sugary concoctions, sickeningly sweet, and not too terribly enjoyable. 

Did someone say cake? This robust porter has been aged in rum barrels and comes together with vanilla and natural flavorings to deliver a cake experience in liquid form.

Ol’ George #47: Nuts to you!

 

Ol’ George #47: Nuts to you! 

Notes on #47:

1. Finally, a member of familia rodentia has joined the cast! Has he joined, will he return? I kind of like Gavin. I love his pink suit and green bowtie. I’m really digging the color, how ‘bout you? 

Has Ol’ George engaged in rodent stereotyping? Let’s not go too deep into this. Will another rodent, a beaver, or raccoon, say, pop up and accuse him of such? I don’t like to repeat myself, so…

2. When I first started this strip, almost a year ago, I assigned the following characteristics to George: irascible, cantankerous, grumpy, grouchy, misanthropic, etc. I wasn’t long before I realized that the main source of the comedy would be his smart alecky-ness. A jocular curmudgeon is better than a prickly, morose, misanthrope. And I’ve noticed that George rarely rises to engage with his opponents and instead collapses under an argument’s absurdly. I don’t think he has it in him to fight the fight. Therein lies his humanity (felinity?)

Wait, “I’ve noticed?” Don’t I write this thing? 

Dangerous Man Starlight BlackBerry Wine Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout

 Dangerous Man Starlight BlackBerry Wine Barrel Aged Russian Imperial Stout. 

10.8 % ABV, Dangerous Man Brewing, Maple Lake, MN. 

Utter blackness, supreme opacity, slim cocoa/ tan head. 

In the nose: fruity, blackberry-y, wine-y, with the richness of the stout below. 

In the mouth: richness and complexity abounds. Not too thick, not too heavy,  but a beautiful blend of flavors. Big blackberry, mixed with chocolate, vanilla, cocoa, not too sweet, not too bitter. Tannin-y. Full bodied. Just enough of everything, and utterly unique. 

Oh, Dangerous Man, will we ever see your like…again? 

Ol’ George #46: Doodlin’

 

Ol’ George #46: Doodlin’

Notes on #46:

So far in this strip, what we know about the man called Chester is his wardrobe and his beer of choice. With this strip, we introduce him as a cartoonist, a trait he shares with his real life counterpart. 

I’m on the hunt for Chester comics, doodles and drawings. I lost mine, long ago. Pics and scans are fine, of course. I’d like to create some kind of digital shrine to them, even if only here in the Nib. I’m going to go around asking in person and online. Palmer’s would have been a good place to ask, but I missed my opportunity to visit before they closed for good. 

I’ll begin expanding my search, but if anyone reading this has any or has ideas where to look, please contact me.

Personally, I am always cautious when sketching, especially strangers, when I’m in public, precisely because of George’s reaction. 

Sierra Nevada Phantom Torpedo IPA American IPA

 Sierra Nevada Phantom Torpedo IPA American IPA.

6 % ABV, 45 IBU, Sierra Nevada Brewing, Chico, CA. 

Slightly clouded, bright golden hue, slim white head.

In the nose: big time citrus and plenty of pine. Lemon orange and a forest floor. 

In the mouth: hop assault, though not too terrible, on the palate, slightly juicy/fruity. Just enough bitterness to keep me interested. Excellent drinkability. Veers too far away from a real American IPA, though, into the lighter, contemporary style. I’ll take it, though, it’s just good enough. 

This American IPA delivers layers of tropical, citrus, and woody hop flavors that reappear with each sip. Exclusively in the Torpedo IPA Pack.

Malts: Golden Promise, Rye, Two-row Pale, Vienna

Hops: Azacca, Magnum, Vic Secret

Yeast: Ale