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.
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.
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.
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’.
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!
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?
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’
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.
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
Ol’ George #45: On Cats
Notes on #45:
1. Now in Color! From now on, I won’t share this to the blog until I have it colored in the medium of my choice. I might share it in b&w to other platforms if I just can’t wait. I will be coloring the past strips and swapping them out with the b&w files at my leisure.
2. Why did I just now come around to the obvious fact that C.B. and George should be drinking buddies? . Bukowski loved cats, George is one. They both love beer, and their misanthropy is probably equally matched. They may have other things in common. Who knows?
It was the quote that made me rush this one into production. Why does C. B. answer George the way he does? Because it begins this poem…”My Cats”
I know. I know.
they are limited, have different
needs and
concerns.
but I watch and learn from them.
I like the little they know,
which is so
much.
they complain but never
worry,
they walk with a surprising dignity.
they sleep with a direct simplicity that
humans just can't
understand.
their eyes are more
beautiful than our eyes.
and they can sleep 20 hours
a day
without
hesitation or
remorse.
when I am feeling
low
all I have to do is
watch my cats
and my
courage
returns.
I study these
creatures.
they are my
teachers.
3. See how literary I am? It’s not all comical books in my brain.
4. Why did I choose Harvest Gold for the background color? I figured they’re day drinking.
Falling Knife Mpls Legend Kölsch. In collaboration with Arbeiter, Back Channel, Insight, & Venn.
5.2 % ABV, Falling Knife Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Clear, bright golden head, fine ivory froth.
In the nose: fruity notes hit first, apple, pear, melon…light and floral.
In the mouth: minor bitterness, moderate malt. Light and easy-breezy. Just enough deliciousness to keep the palate happy. Ultimately consumable. An incredibly competed kölsch. Quite delightful.
Traditional Kölsch-Style Ale mega-collab with Arbeiter, Back Channel, Insight and Venn, brewed for our brother, friend and co-owner Tom Berg who was taken from us April 5th.
11.5 % ABV, 50 IBU, 9 Mile Brewing, Bloomington, Minnesota.
I bought this at the brewery a couple months back and decided to drink it tonight, instead of going to bed at a decent hour. Cause that’s just me.
Solid blackness, purely opaque, slim ring of brown foam.
In the nose: all manner of darkness and depth, charcoal, smoke, bourbon, cocoa, etc.
In the mouth: rich, thick, robust. Motor oily. It’s got the imperialism down pat and mastered like a proverbial boss. Chocolate, oak, char, etc. Deep deliciousness. Much goodness and dark delights. Before you know it, the burn comes along. And I am digging it. A most welcome nightcap.
Aged in J. Carver rye whiskey barrels
Avery The Kaiser Imperial Oktoberfest.
8% ABV, 25 IBU, Avery Brewing, Boulder, Colorado.
Clear, deep copper hue, large, cream-toned head.
In the nose: classic, herbal/malty aroma. Caramel notes.
In the mouth: a touch of sweetness, rich and malty, toasty and delicious, with a little bit of extra oomph. Wonderfully warming. Prost!
The Kaiser once said, “Give me a woman who loves beer and I will conquer the world.” If the Kaiser and his significant other had tipped this bottle, we’d all be “sprechenden Deutsch!” We took all that is good in a traditional Oktoberfest – gorgeous, deep copper sheen, massive malty backbone and spicy, floral, pungent noble hops – then intensified each into this, an Imperial Oktoberfest.
8.1% ABV, Central Waters Brewing, Amherst, Wisconsin.
Lightly hazed, pale orange, bright ivory head, leaving lace.
In the n: bold citrus! Ripe orange, tangerine. Quite a hoppy li’l thing.
In the mouth: nice bitterness up front, flooding the palate. Nice and dry. You’d think honey would suggest sweetness, but I’m getting none. Wait…there it is. Just a touch. Now we’ve got a tango between the bitter and the sweet and it’s not too shabby.
I like this. I’d have another.
Honey Dripper
Double Dry Hopped Honey DIPA - 8.1%
Mosaic / Simcoe / Calypso Cryo / Strata
This beer is quite a handful & a bit out of hand. On top of the heavy hand of hops, Acacia Honey, WI Cranberry Honey, & Raspberry Honey, were added at both the brewing side & fermentation side, this thing is absolutely loaded with hops & honey. The beer also features Briess' American honey malt, adding a nice orange hue, backed by a heavy layering of wheat and oats.
Tasting Notes :
Floral stone fruit aromatics, honey candy, and dank peach juice, with a fluffy finish.
5 % ABV, 20 IBU, Three Floyds Brewing, Munster, Indiana.
Crystal clear, golden toned, large, lace-leaving ivory head.
In the nose: delightfully fruity, apple & pear. A trifle sweetish. Altogether enticing.
In the mouth: light bodied, flavorful, and ultra-smooth. Pretty much perfection. Incredible drinkable, with full-on kölsch flavors. So delicious.
A crisp and refreshing lighter summer offering, this Kolsch-style beer is golden in color, light-bodied and a perfect remedy for hot weather.
Hammerheart Von Winterherz Verhasst Oak-smoked Hefe Weizen.
6.8% ABV, Hammerheart Brewing, Ely, MN.
Look at Winterherz, that hefe weizen hater. I’ve never had a beer named after me, and I like Hefeweizens.
Slightly hazed, dark golden, large white head.
In the nose: there’s our banana, coupled with cloves! Fresh & funky, a perfect Bavarian weizen aroma. And along comes the smoke.
In the mouth: smoke is more prominent on the palate. Banana & clove more subdued in the flavor. Great texture, with superb drinkability. No smoke bomb, it’s a fairly traditional take on a weizen, and I am enjoying it, thoroughly.
4.7 % ABV, 35 IBU, Dual Citizen Brewing, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Full-on blackness. Opaque. Sizable, creamy head.
In the nose: roasty, malty, coffee & caramel.
In the mouth: super-smooth, while rich & robust. Dry & roasty/toasty. Medium body, meaty mouthfeel. Has everything you want in an oatmeal stout, and we don’t see enough of those these days. Quite consumable.
Ol’ George #44: Cosmo Cat
Notes on 44:
1. Here’s the problem I’ve been having collecting Cosmo Cat comics. I have Wotalife Comics #9 from 1945. The scene on the cover does not appear in the issue. There is a Cosmo story inside about a trio of baby ducks. When does he do superhero stuff? I have a Cosmo Cat #2 from 1959 which reprints a 1940’s cover, but no Cosmo inside! What the?!? The 40’s books are out of my price range now, and those ‘50’s “reprints “ contain unrelated, inferior material. There’s a 1960’s reprint book that might be affordable, but he looks too cute on the cover. If I dig online, I might find some scans. I really like the art by Al Fago (always under pseudonym.)
2. Cosmo’s fur appears to be pink. Pink! That’s not a normal color for a cat! When I get around to coloring this, he’ll be orange.
Steel Toe Dunkel Dark Lager. Munich-style.
5.5 % ABV, Steel Toe Brewing, St. Louis Park, MN.
Clear, deep crimson coloring, fine ring of cream toned foam.
In the nose: caramel, toffee, mostly malty.
In the mouth: smooth and malty, little bit of nuttiness, veering just shy of sweet. Dry, earthy, little bit of roast. More caramel and toffee. Medium bodied, expertly drinkable, Flat out yum a dum dum.
