Summit Saga Sensation IPA.
5.2% ABV, 55 IBU, Summit Brewing, St. Paul, MN.
From the Summit Saga Goddess Series variety pack. What makes a “sensation IPA” and how does one join the Saga brand family? That is what we endeavor to discover.
Clear, golden hued, bright ivory head, long lasting.
In the nose: slightly citrus aromatics.
PIn the mouth: blasts of bitterness, altogether dry. Easy drinking. Medium bodied, just a touch juicy, but mostly brittle and dry. I rather like it.
Hammerheart Jormungandr’s. Rye Pale Ale.
7.5!% ABV, Hammerheart Brewing, Ely, Minnesota.
I’ve had this one twice before this 4-pack, when it was called Jormungandersblod. In May of 2016, at the brewery taproom, and two years later, when I tapped it Acadia Cafe. Neither was an occasion for note taking. Let’s take care of that at last, with, again, the final can.
Murky, brownish, beige ring of foam.
In the nose: slight smoke, bigger caramel, and then along comes rye. Spicy rye malt notes emerge. Just lovely.
In the mouth: more maltiness floods the palate. Rich, robust, smooth, delicious. Nice bitterness throughout. Never quite quits and blends wonderfully with earthy, peppery malts.
Another Hammerheart beer that I fully enjoyed.
Little Thistle Export Stout.
4.2 % ABV, 22 IBU, Little Thistle Brewing, Rochester, MN.
Solid blackness, utterly opaque, slim brown head.
In the nose: malty, sweet, roasted notes.
In the mouth: sweetness on the palate, smooth, caramel-y, notes of toffee, coffee. Medium bodied, exceptionally easy drinking. Very tasty.
I’d happily go back for more.
Collaboration with Modist Brewing. Export Stout. Notes of chocolate and coffee, designed to have several. Inspired by the original.
Ol’ George #33: Balonious’ Funk
Notes on #33:
1. Another one I’ve had in the hopper for a while. Couldn’t decide on an ending. I’m happy with this one.
2. George doesn’t tolerate beer geek wishy-washiness. If it’s a beer, you drink it. (Unless it’s peanut butter pickle porter.)
3. “Is it true?” Some may ask about Balonious’ dialogue. To each their own! I just grabbed some random hop names. Feel however you want to. “Ew, Mosaic tastes like onions…” As George told him in his first appearance, you be you, Sonny Jim…up to a point.
4. Too late, Irma! By the way, the last time I drew Irma, I forgot her apron, leaving her naked behind the bar. Let’s forget that happened.
4.7% ABV, Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN.
Clear-ish, golden-hued, skim white head.
In the nose: got the coco-, got the nut. Big time toasted.
In the mouth: loaded with coconut, light bodied, easy-drinking. Solid cream ale base. Not too much else to say. If you like coconut, go for it. If you’re like Charlie Brown and every other character in Peanuts, stay away.
This coconut cream ale is brewed with toasted coconut and is sure to transport you to paradise!
Notes on #32:
1. This is the fourth in the series where George meets representatives of beers, assesses them in front of them, and delivers a smart ass response. I knew I wanted to do Rasputin, as a fan of the beer for oh, 25 years, at least, but couldn’t think of a gag. Until I heard a coworker sing the Lady Gaga song. Thanks, Ezra!
2. All of these strips so far have been inked with felt tip pens and markers. When I was younger, I tried to do everything with nib pens and brushes, like my cartoonist heroes, but wasn’t always successful. One of these days I’m going to give myself enough time to do one all with brush and that’ll be great.
A couple weeks ago, I did my first Ol’ George illustration inked with brush and colored with watercolor. This will be available as a sticker that I will be giving out in person while supplies last.
I intend to redo it and make the new version available for sale in a variety of forms on a website very soon. Hold yer horses, the George merch is coming!
Steel Toe Worn Sole Imperial Alt.
8.5 % ABV, Steel Toe Brewing, St. Louis Park, MN.
Dark brown color, slim tan head, nearly opaque.
In the nose: cocoa, coffee, caramel. Slightly sweet.
In the mouth: more of the same on the palate, rich and robust. Practically delicious. Full bodied. This brings to mind the king of this style, the Urrige Doppelsticke. That’s a compliment.
It’s been gone for a bit, and I deeply regret not buying more than one six pack. So very tasty.
Aromas of dark caramel, toffee, raisin, and slight spice.
Notes on #31:
1. This was one of the first ideas I came up with, way back in October. Something was nagging me about it, though. It seemed like Norm joke from “Cheers.” I’ve seen every episode, so perhaps it burrowed into my brain. I had to be sure of it, but I wasn’t going to watch them all over again. I searched the internet and watched YouTube compilations. Nothing came up. Okay, I did my due diligence. When George Wendt passed away last week, I added the second half.
2. During my deep dive of YouTube, encountered a clip that demonstrated that my strip #13 from January apparently plagiarized Cheers. In their version, Frasier recites “The Raven” and states “that was Poe”, whereupon Coach tells him “don’t be modest, it was great.” I swear I’d forgotten all about it.
3. The laugh track joke I stole from myself. Way back in my high school newspaper comic strip, “Lenny.” I don’t have copies to prove it, though. Steal from the best, am I right?
Notes on #30
1. Wait, what kind of a bar serves dogs, talking cats, and giant cockroaches? Where’s the health department? We’re in a different world here, people. Repeat to yourself, it’s just a comic strip, I should mreally just relax.
2. This might be out of character for Ol’ George. Sitting on the patio means leaving Irma alone inside the bar. Depriving her of his jokes and smartassery. It probably won’t happen again, I did it just for this gag.
3. At first, I wanted to call the big bug Greg, a nod to Frank Kafka’s unfortunate Gregor Samsa, who was turned into some manner of insect in the short story “The Metamorphosis.” But I finally won an argument with myself in favor of bringing out a character I created in my teenage years. Cuddles was pet to the eccentric Granny Giuseppe, and there were possibly other characters. Unless someone can prove otherwise, I wrote stories about these characters, but never published them, or showed them to anyone. I drew them, but never made comics about them. Again, maybe I did, can’t remember, and all evidence is lost. Maybe Granny will appear soon? Is this the beginning of....the Alniverse?!?
Notes on #29:
1. Nothing to explain, just George being a smart ass again, getting Irma’s goat. And she always starts out so positive. One of these days, George, one of these days…
2. We haven’t seen Riblet in 24 episodes. I had intended to use him as more of a regular character, but I haven’t pinned down his look. I’m sure his Mama don’t mind.
3. If you look look back at Balonious’ previous appearances, there isn’t a human among the crowd. (Wait, I’ve never drawn a crowd…some day..) He’s never made Chester’s acquaintance. He wasn’t there to see Tom Waits, Thelonious Monk, Santa Claus, David Lynch, or that couple doing Dry January. He doesn’t even know that…whoops, I’m getting ahead of myself…
Three Floyds Chain Sword Extra Pale Ale.
5% ABV, Three Floyds Brewing, Munster, Indiana.
From the latest variety pack.
Clear, golden hued, short white head.
In the nose: slightly citrusy, brisk and lively.
In the nose: lemon and lime lead the charge on the palate. Crisp and clean, light bodied and refreshing, with an incessant bitterness that pleases the tongue. Goes down nice and smooth. Highly likable.
Not as clumsy or random as other extra pale ales, Chain Sword was brewed with Golden Promise Malt and El Dorado hops - an elegant beer for a more civilized age
9% ABV, 90 IBU, Inbound BrewCo., Minneapolis, Minnesota
Clear, bright golden hue, small white head.
In the nose: floral, fruity, hoppy, citrusy with a drop of the tropical.
In the mouth: bitterness and dank fruity flavors set the palate ablaze. Slightly sticky icky. It’s got the hops. Tantalizing. Full-bodied, generously flavored, a true hophead’s delight.
So, congrats, Inbound, on nine years, though I can’t condone the spelling error on the label. (“Fruit Loop-esk”? Oh, brother!)
This is one I will probably return to before it disappears.
9th Anniversary double West Coast IPA. We took our Fruit of the Loop recipe and jacked it up to 9%. We then applied the same quantity of hops we’d add to a 30bbl batch and crammed them in to a 15bbl tank. The result is absurdly hoppy and dangerously easy drinking.
Oliphant Snail Pale Pale Ale.
5% ABV, Oliphant Brewing, Somerset, Wisconsin.
Collaboration with Sea Salt Eatery, Minnehaha Falls on the shell limns the connection.
Clear, bright golden / orange hue, fine white froth rests atop.
In the nose: bright citrus zest, bold orange and grapefruit. Perfect.
In the mouth: bitterness greets the palate, kisses the lips and coats the tongue. Fiercely hoppy, fresh and expertly drinkable. Medium to light bodied. Long, bittersweet finish. Infinitely enjoyable.
I’ll tell you this, people: I don’t know how pale ales fell out of favor, but it’s got to stop. There ain’t nothing like a good one, and this one is that.
In Collaboration with those saltwater sweeties over at Sea Salt Eatery in MPLS, this pale ale drinks like it would've over a decade ago. A little malty, a little bitter and hoppy; most of all, delish! Snail on chums!
Notes on #28:
1. I’d just like to point out that this is week 25 of finishing a strip by Monday night, six months running. I’m really proud of that. (The first three don’t count. #1 was done in early October of last year and not deemed finished until a month later. #’s 2 & 3 were both done in a rush and I’m not terribly proud of them. So, I count from #4, 11/11.
2. I put George and Baby at opposite ends of each panel then had to figure what to put between them. Answer: Balonious! But, wouldn’t that alter the flow of their conversation, by having him speak (or think) between them? Yes, but, that’s why I used a different pen point for him, a lighter weight to his lettering, and I liked to play off that awkwardness that happens when two people at a bar are talking and ones in the middle, does he try to join in or start talking to someone else? Or just stare at his beer?
5.6 % ABV, Wooden Ship Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.
Lightly clouded, golden toned, large and lasting ivory head.
In the nose: Smokey, peppery…is this a Hammerheart beer? Everything else is minor.
In the mouth: citrus zest, hops, but low bitterness, and unrelenting, lingering Smokey, peppery sensations, though not as strong as in aromatics. Light and refreshing as a farmhouse ale should be, but loaded with character. Goin’ down nice and easy.
A Norwegian Farmhouse Ale that is slightly funky and smokey with mild citrus notes.
Notes on #27:
1. If this one reads like a non-sequitor, then I have done my job. I first encountered Zippy in a B. Dalton Bookseller in 1985 when I bought a copy of “Are we Having Fun Yet? Zippy the Pinhead’s 29 Day Guide To Random Activities and Arbitrary Donuts.” I’ve spent the past 40 years keeping up and catching up. He’s been around since 1971, and still going!
2. George’s beer, Old Crab is a nod to a barleywine of long ago, Rogue Old Crustacean. And that George is a big Ol’ Crabbypants.
3. I won’t explain Zippy’s dialogue. If you know him, you get it. Laundry is the 5th dimension! Zombies rule Belgium! Frivolity is a stern taskmaster! Legalize Loni Anderson’s hair!
1. I have a long history as a fan of American jazz composer & pianist Thelonious Sphere Monk (1917-1982). I put a lot of back story in my review of North Coast Brother Thelonious in my blog post back in 2012. Go check it out.
2. I once had a Brother Thelonious glass sent to me by the brewery (along with a tap handle, coasters, t-shirts, and an CD of a band they put together, the Brother Thelonious Quintet!) and it did indeed say Straight No Chaser on it. When it broke during a move nine years ago, I paused in sentimental contemplation, whereupon my friend remarking that he heard me say that I have too many glasses as it is. Yeah, but that’s one I wanted to keep. I can’t find a replacement anywhere, but I’ll keep looking.
3. Flatted Fifths aren’t really the main thing to think of when it comes to Monk’s music, but it sounds funnier than dissonance, angularity or atonality.
4. The “you’ll flip” quote appeared in the documentary “Straight No Chaser”, but I haven’t seen it in a while. Can’t find it on YouTube. So, I got it partially wrong, so what. He actually said “I Mean, for real!” I bet he said it a lot of ways.
5. Is George a jazz lover? Of course he is, he’s a hep cat! (My first cat was named Hepzibah so I could call her “hep cat.” Hepzibah is the name of the French skunk who dwells in the Okeefenokee swamp in Walt Kelly’s “Pogo”. And the bar George drinks at is named for him. Full circle!)
7.5 % ABV, Back Channel Brewing, Spring Park, MN.
Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head.
In the nose: bold and booming with citrus notes and stone fruit. Apricot and peach mingle pineapple and orange. Highly aromatic.
In the mouth: hop assault on the palate, but too lean in the bitterness to truly make a mark as a West Coast. Medium bodied, mostly crisp and clean. but needs a bit more in the dry department. Not a truly successful attempt, I’m afraid.
Citrusy // Piney // Resin
West Coast IPA
Pizza Port Endless Shoreline India Pale Ale.
7 % ABV, 65 IBU, Pizza Port Brewing, Carlsbad, CA.
Clear, bright golden hue, large and lasting ivory head.
In the nose: bold citrus with a pinch of pine.
In the mouth: fresh, fruity, and dry. Moderate bitterness, but plentiful hops. Medium bodied, long hop forward finish. Citrus tones meet with stone fruit. Easy drinking as she goes.
I like this one fine, but it won’t replace Swami’s.
Endless Shoreline IPA captures the essence of sun-soaked days with a refreshing burst of earthy tangelo and bright Meyer lemon. Brewed with Riwaka, Waimea, NZ Cascade, Crystal, & Columbus hops - the mid-palate reveals a tropical blend of sweet citrus, lush mango, and juicy papaya, transporting you to a beachside paradise. The finish is dry and crisp, leaving behind subtle hints of peppery lemongrass and a touch of slightly sticky resin. Just like the shoreline that stretches beyond the horizon, this IPA offers an experience that feels endless with every sip.
So much weather in that name.
Winter is gone, but it ain’t spring yet. Birds are here, but they ain’t chirping. Grass is here, but it ain’t green. No flowers, no leaves on the trees, and we’re still wearing sweaters. Perfect time for the last can of this.
Clear, dusky brown, voluptuous head, cream toned.
In the nose: vanilla hits first, followed by cinnamon. Whither coconut? We’re getting hints.
In the mouth: again, vanilla is largest, the rest follow. Big malt, but maybe not robust enough. This is delicious, but I beg for more body. Not hating’, just saying.
This comforting ale is made with toasted coconut, Saigon cinnamon, and vanilla bean. Also a dash of malted Kernza that aids in the cinnamon flavor of the beer. Kernza is a perennial grain that has been gaining popularity amongst brewers due to its sustainability. Flavors and aromas of coconut, caramel, cinnamon, vanilla and toast. Medium bodied with a sweet/warming finish. Pours a clear reddish amber with a brown head. Enjoy by the fire or while watching the snow fall outside.
Dual Citizen WaveRacer West Coast IPA.
7.1 % ABV, Dual Citizen Brewing, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Clear, bright golden hue, large and lasting milky white head.
In the nose: citrusy, sliver of pine, tiny tropical tones.
In the mouth: big blast of bitterness plays on the palate, tantalized the tongue. Nice and dry. Slightest sweetness, but bitter wins out. Light bodied, easy drinking, with never-ending hoppiness.
I think I like this one.
Citrus Zest • Floral • Berries
A sunny West Coast style American IPA.
Surly Niiice Beer. Tastes. Like. Beer.
Available on tap or 16 ounce 12-packs.
(Or is it “Surly This Beer is Niiice” as on the label and some tap menus?)
4.5 % ABV. Surly Brewing, Twin Cities, MN.
Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head.
In the nose: grainy, corny, beer-y.
In the mouth: exceptionally simplistic, light. The light end of a golden ale, the say, which is very in-Surly. Quaffable, for sure, with real flavor to be found. Surly Furious, that made sense. Gotta put one out to please the plebians, I guess.
Well, that makes two new Surly beers in a row that were clearly not made for me.
C’est La vie.
Balanced and approachable, not too hoppy, not too bland, this refreshing ale isn't just nice, it's NIIICE! If you want to call it a beer-flavored beer, go right ahead.
Ol’ George #24: Barley Whine
Notes on #24:
1. I’ve been a fan of Bigfoot Barleywine-style Ale for probably 25 years, maybe more. They’ve been making it for 42. I will never forget the first time I tapped it, around 2008, at the Blue Nile. A man at the bar recognized the SN tap handle and said “oh, yeah, Sierra Nevada, I like them, I’ll take one.” Thinking it was the pale ale, I assumed. “This might not be what you think it is,” I told him.”No, no. Yeah, yeah, I’ll take it.” I poured his snifter and watched the confusion as he tried to make sense of this hoppy, nearly 10 % Barleywine. I tried!
Amazingly, in those 42 years, they never changed the label illustration once.
2. There is a disruption in continuity here. Normally, Chester drinks Grain Belt Premium, the friendly beer, as did his real life inspiration. But, after hearing of the unexpected, untimely death of Falling Knife’s Tom Berg, I decided to pay him tribute by having Chester drinking a Tomm’s Lager, in his honor. I didn’t know him well, but he was always nice to me, although he took exception to my views on hazy IPAs, their stock in trade. Sorry, I just don’t dig them. I don’t think I have had a Tomm’s either, not being a lager lover. Maybe I’ll pick up a 4-pack to cheers the man, who left us too soon.
3. Where did Chester go in the last panel? Out for a smoke, duh. Why didn’t he take his beer? I don’t know! Truthfully, I just wanted to draw Irma rolling her eyes at George’s smartassery.
4. Introducing a character so much taller than the others is difficult. That’s why I chose that age-old cartoon technique of having a character fall backwards out of the panel in response to a punchline, known as a “plop”! You never know when I will use it again!
Ol’ George #23: Everybody Plays the Fool
Notes on #23:
1. George wants to play an April Fool’s Day joke on Irma and pretend that he’s given up beer for wine, and along the way make fun of the way wine people anthropomorphize wine with their descriptions. The style known as pèt nat, or petillant naturel (naturally petulant) is one example of this. In fact, I found that expanded on in this precocious piece I just found online. “ By nature, pét-nats are casual. They’re easygoing. They didn’t brush their hair when they got up, and they threw on yesterday’s jeans because, really, who cares?”
It’s also done a lot in descriptions. I recall someone (a friend? Someone from TV/ movies?) making fun of this by saying/quoting something like “it has an impudent nose” or some such. And I wondered where I had heard this and googled the phrase “impudent wine”. The first hits were for a French wine called L’Impudent.
It dawned on that we can mock such language, but it won’t change anything. I wrote this one and I chose not to check and see if there are any Insolent, Sassy, or Obsequious wineries out there.
Does beer do this? A little, but maybe it’s more of a French thing.
2. This is the second strip without any beer in it. The first was #2, for George hadn’t ordered yet. Balonious would be having a beer, if George wasn’t taking up Irma’s time with his smart assery.
Notes on #22:
1. I first heard of Gumballhead the Cat when I was ordering alternative comics for Shinders Readmore bookstore in downtown Minneapolis, back in the 90’s. He appeared in Skin Graft Comix and others publications, which no longer live in my collection.
A decade or so later, Three Floyds Brewing released the titular Gumballhead beer, an American Wheat Ale. If they’d made it a pale ale or IPA, I’d pick it up more often. Wheat Ales are just not at the top of my list.
Gumballhead was the last beer I tapped at Acadia. I can imagine how proud his creator must have felt when he first appeared on a tap handle.
2. Rob Syers is the creator of Gumballhead the Cat and he’s still drawing his adventures, though you have to be a Patreon. I don’t think there’s ever been a collection. Syers’ Etsy store has plenty of awesome prints for sale. I still haven’t made up my mind between the Dark Lord Day poster where GBH has vanquished a foe, a la Frank Frazetta, with the spectral figures of Snoopy and Heathcliff behind him, or the one where GBH is inserted into a fictional cover of Jack Kirby’s Kamandi. Better hurry, they’re both almost gone!
3. George knows that there’s no gum balls in the beer. He’s just a smartass.
10.8% ABV, Dangerous Man Brewing, Maple Lake, MN.
Solid blackness, complete opacity, slim brown head.
In the nose: caramel and ash, vanilla and smoke, molasses, brown sugar, and leather.
In the mouth: dark malt and mysterious sweetness. Rich and complex, compounded treats upon treats. Rum a dum dum. Decadent and powerful.
I’m going to relax and luxuriate with the remainder as I contemplate the history, the legacy, and the incredible twelve years of DMBC.
Inbound Exit Stage Less West Coast IPA.
6 % ABV, 60 IBU, Inbound BrewCo, Minneapolis, MN.
Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head.
In the nose: slightly sweet and tropical tones, pineapple, guava, etc. passion fruit. Grapefruit.
In the mouth: fruit takes center stage on the palate, backed by bitterness. Sweet takes a backseat, as hoppiness and bitterness roll in. Medium bodied, especially refreshing, just enough blend of juice and abrasion to keep the mouth humming.
I like this one. Wish they made more of it.
West Coast IPA, notes of white wine and darkness.
I think they mean “dankness”.
Pizza Port Bacon & Eggs Imperial Coffee Porter.
8% ABV, 40 IBU, Pizza Port Brewing, Carlsbad, CA.
Clear, dark brown color, Cecil slim beige head.
In the nose: big roasted coffee, earthy, spicy, slight cinnamon. Dark malt below.
In the mouth: coffee grit all over the palate, roasty malt, with slight sweetness. All the best parts of coffeeI and Porter, wrapped up c cImperial. High ABV slowly but shows it’s strength. And through it all, I think, this is a delightful beverage. Even though eggs are too expensive and bacon is bad for me,I find this highly diggable.
An Imperial Coffee Porter collaborated with Bird Rock Coffee Roasters
Junkyard Bleed Green Irish Style Stout.
4.1% ABV, Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, MN.
Thoroughly dark and opaque, slim, tannish head.
In the nose: malty, bittersweet, notes of coffee & berries. Dark chocolate.
In the mouth: rich, while clean, lean and dry. Rolls effortlessly off the palate. Media bodied, with an abundant collection of harmonious flavors. Chocolate, coffee, & bright berries at play, with a touch of nuttiness in there. Delightful.
Only $12 the 4-pack, and it isn’t a hazy IPA, fruited sour, or pastry stout. Have to pounce on these when you see them in the wild.
Bleed Green is a Dry Irish Stout has become an annual St. Patrick's tradition for us. It has plenty of dry-roasted character and roasted malt aromas thanks to the use of roasted barley. Revealing more complexity with each sip, it is defined by notes of coffee & cocoa and its full, dry body.
Ol’ George # 21: The Wesarin’ o’ the Grin
Notes on #21:
1. Damn, I misspelled “Begorra”! No one would have noticed, I’m sure, but now the secret is out. Some day I’ll figure out how to fix it…
2. I stole the title from the 1951 Chuck Jones Looney Tune wherein Porky Pig visits Ireland and is bedeviled by a pair of leprechauns. There’s a great Dali-esque surrealist scene at the end.
3. Where does George’s pint and pipe go in panel four? I think that, much like characters in Tex Avery cartoons, George makes use of a pocket universe in which he stores and retrieves objects for use whenever he needs them. That makes sense. This firmly establishes George as a cosmic trickster god. Glad we got that ball rolling.
4. George is not human sized, so the bar provides him with his own chair.
5. Sometimes, I forget to draw Irma on the inside of the bar. This one makes it look like she’s on the outside, sitting next to Chester. She’s always behind the bar. Don’t worry, I’ll get it right eventually,
8.4 % ABV, Pipeworks Brewing, Chicago, IL.
Clear, golden hued, slim white head.
In the nose: tropical fruity, citrus hoppy explosion. Slight candy-ish sweetness. Quite pleasant.
In the mouth: bursting with bitterness at the start, like any good standing member of this category. Then, in rushes the juicy sweetness. Terrifically drinkable, despite the oncoming booze. Uh oh, here it comes.
Medium bodied, highly hopped, but not quite as bitter and dry as I really like.
Notes on #20:
1. I realized after I wrote this that Balonious begins his litany of Wilting Turnip’s great IPAs by copying “Patrick Swayze Christmas “ from MST3K.
And much later it dawned on me that they were riffing on an old Nat King Cole hit.
2. The punchline comes from Looney Tunes, but where did they get it? No one knows. Some say Vaudeville. They’re just guessing.
3. George will never go to Wilting Turnip. He’s got everything he needs at Kelly’s.
Surly Mr. Surly’s Orange Whip Cream Ale.
5.5 % ABV, Surly Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Hey, look, everyone, Surly is making flavored cream ales! Ice Cream themed! Yaaaay!
Available only in 12 packs for some reason. Luckily (?), I got a sample can.
Clear and yellow, big white head that folds quickly.
In the nose: sweet and fruity. Danged if it doesn’t smell like a dreamsicle. It’s got that going for it.
In the mouth: okay, orange, we got that, little from malt or hops, but that shouldn’t be expected, as this is not a “beer-beer.” Not much else going on here. It’s a suggestion, somehow, of ice cream, and the flavor sparks no joy. Not terrible, but a far cry from anything I’d ever want to drink again.
Mister Surly's Orange Whip Cream Ale is coming to your neighborhood. A dreamy concoction of vanilla, blood orange, hops, and malt, Mister Surly's Orange Whip is sweet, citrusy, and balanced. Treat yourself.
Ol’ George #19: Tick It To Ride
Notes on # 19:
1: This strip needed a beer geek character and I decided it should be me. Balonious Funk is a play on my BeerAdvocate.com username FeloniousMonk. When I came up with it in 2002, I thought I was so very clever, unaware that the joke had been made many times before.
2. And now we have our very first continuity. The beer called Ferval’s Finest in #18 is the same that Irma served George in #11, 2 months ago. It’s been on tap all this time and hasn’t gotten any better.
Maybe Balonious heard how awful it is. He doesn’t care.
Drinking a Ukrainian beer, for obvious reasons. Not expecting it to be good, but that’s not the point.
Clear and lightly clouded, bright golden hue, fine, lace leaving, ivory head.
In the nose: smells like malt liquor! Grainy, corny, overly sweet. Vegetal. I’m anticipating a ton of booze.
In the mouth: interesting. I’m gonna say “interesting.” The opposite of crisp. Not at all clean. A sweet, mushy mix of malt, some hops and a buttload of booze.
But, if you just want a buzz, maybe it’s enough. I’m just drinking this to cheers Zelenskyy and Ukraine.
«Obolon Extra Strong» is a lager beer with a mild malt flavor combined with moderate hop bitterness and light wine tones. The peculiarity of the recipe is that the high alcohol content is achieved through the fermentation of high-gravity wort.
Half Acre Drip Castles West Coast Style Double India Pale Ale.
Clear, bright golden hue, slim ivory head.
In the nose: citrus and pine, with a pinch of the tropical.
In the mouth: nice bit of bitterness up front, clean and dry. Medium bodied, with a mild, hoppy finish. Bitterness increases as alcohol strength rises. This doesn’t quite go the distance the way I’d like it to, but it does the trick.
Drip Castle features Krush, a newly developed hop, paired with classic Chinook to claim fresh territory within the West Coast DIPA realm. Ultra clear on the pour, Drip Castle has a warm boozy note balanced by assertive bitterness and an extremely dry finish. Krush provides raspberry pie blended with the resin and pine from Chinook that hits under-appreciated flavor receptors. This holiday season, spend some time in the Castle.
Notes on #18:
1. I took the name Ferval of Ferval’s Finest Ale (whatever that may be) from the character Ferval Lankman, played by Brian Posehn on Mr. Show. Maybe it’s someone else’s name, how would I know?
2. I found a spelling error and tried to correct it, terribly. Then I found another and couldn’t fix it. Please forgive my spelling errors.
3. Why is Irma giving George that look in panel four? Because she knows that he’s a sarcastic smart aleck. He gives it away in panel three. I never expected to draw George that way. It’s a disturbing look.
There is a hidden dynamic here, an extra meaning slightly alluded to above. Stay tuned for next week!
4. Ninkasi was the Sumerian beer goddess, circa 3000 B.C. Fun fact: The ancient Sumerians referred to beer as “kas” in her honor. They bartered with beer and that’s how we get our word “cash”.
Who needs beer reviews when my comics give you beer facts like that!
Schell’s Baltic Porter. Limited release (only in the sampler pack).
6.5 % ABV, August Schell Brewing, New Ulm, Minnesota.
Clear, reddish brown, sizable, cream-toned head.
In the nose: cocoa and cream, slightly nutty. Mildly roasty malt.
In the mouth: smoothness on the palate prevails.Mostly malty. Medium bodied. Light fruitiness on top of cocoa & nuts. Low bitterness. Highly enjoyable.
This Baltic Porter pours a deep, dark black with layers of velvety chocolate and roast flavors that smooth the palate and celebrate the malty character of the beer.
56 Home Improvements West Coast IPA.
5.7 % ABV, 46 IBU, 56 Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.
Clear, golden hued, slim white head.
In the nose: mildly hoppy, slight sweetness, lacking in the aromatics I want in this style. Some citrus starts to trickle in.
In the mouth: some hoppy flavors, but lacks bitterness. Too juicy, not quite dry enough. Lean bodied, finishing dry and progressively bitter.
I’m warming up to this one. I’d drink it again, though it disappointed at the start. I like my WCIPAs to tackle the palate from the get-go.
A super crisp west coast IPA featuring Erebus, Comet, and Chinook hops. Delightfully fruity, floral and dank. A light floral and zesty nose plays well with sweet berry, lemon zest, grapefruit, and resinous flavors.
Notes on #17;
1. I came up with this idea months ago, but I had to do it now for this reason: it was 25 years ago, on February 12, 2000, that Charles Monroe Schulz left this world.
I found out the next morning. I woke up early that Sunday morning, drew a bath, and got the paper, got in the tub, and read Schulz’ last strip. It was the same goodbye letter as his final daily, published in December 1999, but with a collage of classic scenes surrounding it. Oddly enough, almost immediately after, the announcer on the jazz station playing in the background gave the news. As I say in the tub holding the funnies and started to cry. I’d been following Charlie Brown and Snoopy since I was four years old.
2. My original idea for this one ended with panel two, but I had a change of heart. I didn’t want to end with a bitter Charlie or with someone being mean to him. I had to give him some happiness.
In the end, Schulz also gave Charlie some happiness. He never flew the kite, kicked the football, won a baseball game or sat down to lunch with the little red haired girl. That wouldn’t be funny, after all. But he did enjoy a relationship with a girl who liked the way he danced, and his dog was always by his side.
3. So I’m sentimental, so sue me.
6.5 % ABV, 50 IBU, Dangerous Man Brewing, Maple Lake, MN.
Lightly hazed, golden hued, slim white head.
In the nose: sweet mango first, with citrus below, grapefruit and orange.
In the mouth: sweetness and mango pulp, bitterness on the side. Juicy, then dry in the finish. Medium bodied, fully flavored, a tasty treat.
Hey, I could go for a few more.
Hoppy, Smooth & Fruity
FLAVOR NOTES
* Hella Mango!
* Candied Lemon
* Undernote of Pine
HOPS
* El Dorado
Yeast
* Dry English Ale
ADJUNCTS
* Mango Puree
Half Acre Sunrise Vallejo India Pale Ale.
6.7 % ABV, Half Acre Brewing, Chicago, IL.
Slightly hazy, bright golden hue, slim white head.
In the nose: sweet tropical notes, passion fruit, tangerine, touch of citrus.
In the mouth: soft with minor bitterness. Much less snap to it than I like. Far too sweet for my taste. I got served a hazy without warning. I don’t recall the original Vallejo being quite so New England-esque.
It’s okay, I can drink it, but I’ll be more careful next time.
For 2025, we’re introducing the Vallejo Family of IPAs with three distinct beers that explore Southern Hemisphere hop variations of this classic West Coast recipe. It’s Vallejo all year long. First up, Sunrise Vallejo arrives featuring New Zealand hops that elevate this clear, crisp IPA with aromas of sweet melon, berry and dried pine, warming your senses against winter’s cold, dark grip.
HOPS: Nelson Sauvin, Mosaic, Krush (HBC 586)
MALT: Pilsner, 2-row
APPEARANCE: Bright gold
1. All of the previous 15 cartoons were done with pencil sketches first and embellished with felt tip pens and markers. For this one, I used no pencils, only a Pilot G2 .07 gel pen. It’s not my favorite pen, but the one I had on hand. My favorite is the Pilot V5 ( or 7) extra fine rolling ball. However, right now I only have one of those, in red, and George is a blue cat, not red.
2. This change in style is a tribute to one of my cartooning heroes Jules Feiffer, who passed last month at age 95 (almost made it to 96!) I have no idea what his process was, what pens he used, whether he pencilled, etc., but his work has always been loose and spontaneous.
3. The title is a nod to the original name for his later self-titled strip, Sick, Sick, Sick, which began initially in the Village Voice in 1956 and went into syndication until 1997. Meanwhile, he produced plays, screenplays, novels and children's books. I became a fan from the I discovered a paperback collection at a used bookstore in the 80’s, scouring shelves on each visit. For years, I could only find a few, but now I have them all. Thanks, eBay!
Ommegang Cooper’s Hop Tripel IPA.
10.5 % ABV, Brewery Ommeang, Cooperstown, NY.
Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head.
In the nose: fruity, citrusy, stone fruit…a bit of bubblegum.
In the mouth: bitter buzz begins, as well as the alcoholic kind. A touch of the dank, but more of the juicy. All mosaic? Well, all right! I’m getting a bit of Belgian yeast character, but not a great amount. And it’s slowly coming together, getter deeper and more complex as we go, and it just hit me how they spell “tripel “…I seen what you done…this is tasting exactly like that. And I am digging that big time.
Elevate your IPA experience with Coop's latest drop: Cooper's Hop Tripel IPA. It's not just a hoppy beer, it's a game-changer. Imagine the perfect blend of a bright, single-hop, fruit-forward IPA, and the complexity of a higher ABV, effervescent, Belgian-influenced IPA. With an all-Mosaic hop profile, Cooper's Hop bursts with the flavor of melon and orange peel. Its clean, semi-dry finish makes each sip a high-altitude adventure.
Ol’ George #15: Post No Bills
Notes on #15:
1. I’d been obsessed with comics and cartoons for as long as I could could remember, but the comics page was getting boring as I got into my teenage years. Mad Magazine alone couldn’t fill my needs.Bloom County by Berkeley Breathed arrived in our local paper just in time, in 1981, when I was twelve or thirteen. It was the right dose of satire and subversion. I still recall the thrill I felt when the first book collection came out.
When they introduced that lovable Bill the Cat in ‘82, I was infatuated. I got the first t-shirt immediately, but that was all the merchandise for a bit. That would ruin the joke, after all, for Bill was originally a spoof of the ubiquitous selling of Garfield.
I drew Bill all the time. In the backgrounds of my high school newspaper comic “Lenny”, signs appeared saying Post No Bills with a picture of Bill. A friend and I did an animation of Bill hocking up a hairball for an art class. When I decorated the window of my favorite used book store for Halloween (an annual tradition in Anoka, Halloween Capitol of the World) with a depiction of ghosts floating through a graveyard, Bill’s tombstone was in the scene.
After Breathed stopped the strip and started up Outland, my enthusiasm waned. When Bill merch appeared, I was up on my high horse, all righteously indignant.
All these years later, I own a Bill doll, bought directly from the cartoonist (along with a signed copy of a two volume complete edition of the strip with an Opus sketch, and a signed/Opused print of a favorite strip). And I again own a Bill t-shirt, but one in a size more appropriate for my contemporary build.
2. The funniest and cruelest joke about Cathy is courtesy of Bill Griffith, creator of Zippy the Pinhead. “Someone draws that? I thought they dropped string on the ground and photocopied it.”
I can’t complain too much about minimalist cartooning. Much of the blame can be delivered to Charles M. Schulz, and I do not hide my admiration for his art.
3. Remember, folks: this is not a strip about beer. It’s about a cat who drinks beer at a bar and people, animals, things he meets there. And I hope you find it entertaining.
5.4%ABV. Arbeiter Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.
Astonishingly dark, impressively opaque, under a large, creamy tanned head.
In the nose: creamy, malty, notes of cocoa, vanilla, and oncoming heat.
In the mouth: hot and spicy right from the start. Rich, creamy, chocolatey malt flavors rush in to smother it. This lasts until the very next sip, then flames come once again to lick the palate. Full-bodied, smooth and flavorful, but the damned heat distracts from all the pleasures.
It’s a fine thing if that’s your thing, but peppery beers are not for me.
I should figure out what a “gochujan” is....
Hammerheart Ochre and Ashe Black India Pale Ale.
7.2 % ABV, Hammerheart Brewing, Ely, MN.
Utter blackness, complete opacity, creamy tan foam.
In the nose: grassy & piney meets dark malts, spilling out of the glass and up into the snoot. Hugely hoppy.
In the mouth: again, hops on top, rich malts just below. Just enough bitterness to buzz the palate. Smokey malts keep the fires burning. Full bodied, rich and delicious. Bitter mingles with sweet in beautiful harmonies here.
I’m drinking from a sample can, but this is so good, I am going to buy a four pack and keep the love going for this extraordinary brew.
Invoking the smoke of sacred fires. Evoking the animistic hauntings of a beautiful and mysterious landscape. Ochre and Ash celebrates new sounds of familiar spirits as much as it celebrates the very cave paintings of its namesake. Brewed in honor of fauna.
I’m glad that I could swipe that off of the internet, for the font on the label was painfully hard to read. And that should be Fauna, as in the metal band, not the classification of animals.
5.2 % ABV, 13 IBU, Allagash Brewing, Portland, ME.
Allagash returned to our market after an absence of over 20 years recently. My first review of this beer was way back in 2003. As with the Tripel, I’m going to leave that one behind and take new notes.
Clear, bright pale golden color, large and lasting ivory head.
In the nose: blast of citrus and spice starts it off, coriander joining right in. Lovely, delightful stuff.
In the mouth: crisp, refreshing, delicious. Slightly sweet a touch floral and fruity. Light bodied, smooth, exquisitely downable. Perfect rendition of this beautiful Belgian style.
I wondered why they needed to add the word “hazy” to the label description when the contents of my glass was so very clear. Then, I emptied out the remains of the can. Well, there you are! Were you hiding from me?
Allagash White features a refreshing balance of citrus and spice. Wheat, coriander, and Curaçao orange peel round out the flavor of this pale straw-colored, hazy beer.
