Ol’ George #42: 42

 

Ol’ George #42: 42.

Notes on #42:

1. It’s #42. I had to do it. Sorry for the spoiler, anyone who isn’t aware of this franchise from the past 47 years, the books, radio play, BBC tv show, motion picture, comic books, video games, rpgs, etc. 

I’m pretty sure I consumed the books first, back in the early 80’s, then TV & radio. Anything after that, I didn’t care. We won’t talk about it.

2. Okay, we will.My Zaphod and Marvin are based on their 1981 BBC TV incarnation. You couldn’t do much with special effects on a low budget in ‘81, so you could forgive Zaphod’s second head just sitting there, doing nothing. I think they dubbed some lines, or something?

But, 2005, you could put a second Sam Rockwell head up there and it would have worked, but they didn’t! And nothing against the great Alan Rickman, but I didn’t take to the new Marvin. And that is all that I will say about 2005 motion picture. There’s very little I like about it, aside from the cast. 

3. The Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster is a drink created by Zaphod and is a cocktail based around Arcturan Mega-gin. We’re just pretending, for the sake of the gag, that this fictional drink is a beer.

Many years ago, I used to celebrate my birthday by creating a beer event at the Blue Nile, putting a disparate array of beers on tap, and urging my fellow beer kegs to join me. One time, a regular suggested that I create a “pan-galactic gargle blaster” from a mix of every beer on tap. I dutifully did so, and that’s all I will say about that. 

De Leite Enfant Terriple Blonde Triple

 De Leite Enfant Terriple Blonde Triple.

8.2 % ABV, 43 IBU, Brouerij de Leite, Oostkamp, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium. 

Clear, bright golden hue, ivory froth atop.

In the nose: bright, slightly spicy, hint of bubblegum. Some citrus. 

In the mouth: bold and beautiful. Bright and spicy, with increasing alcohol boarding the palate. Bubblegum feel is here, but not overpowering. Nice and warming. Just like I like ‘em. 

The love between Femme Fatale and Bon Homme issued a sprog! The first triple beer by Brewery De Leite was born. The couple baptised their first offspring under the name ‘Enfant Terriple’. A ‘unpredictable’ playful beer. (do you see the pun with ‘triple’?). The Enfant Terriple is a ‘devilishly’ sunny blond beer of 8.2 volume with a playful nose. A subtle bitterness with a faint-fine citrus touch that is enveloped in a sober spicy malt taste. The agreeable bitterness lingers long. For connoisseurs with a bright outlook on life.

Modist The Time Is Nigh Festbier

 Modist The Time Is Nigh Festbier. 

5.2 % ABV, Modist Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

It’s time for my first Oktoberfest of the year. I’ve had this one in years past, but not one to drink at home and review. 

Clear, bright golden hue, full, lace-leaving ivory cap.

In the nose: fragrant and floral, absolute delight.

In the mouth: smooth and slightly sweet, delicious and malty. I don’t detect much from the oak-aging, but Modist seems to oak-age all of their lagers. This one is clean, crisp, and ultra downable. Quite tasty, too. 

Festbier brewed with German Barke Pilsner, Vienna and Munich malts. Kettle hopped with Bravo and Hallertau Mittelfruh. Then lagered and aged in our Oak Foeder for 4 weeks.

Tucher Bajuvator Doppelbock Dunkel

 Tucher Bajuvator Doppelbock Dunkel.

7.5 % ABV, Tucher Privatbrauwei, Nuremberg, Deutschland. 

Dark brown brew, with crimson edges, almost opaque,rich, creamy head atop.

In the nose: sweet and malty, cocoa tones with a touch of vanilla. Quite lovely.

In the mouth: malty, rich, sweet and just enough bitter for balance. Bready, delicious, warming. Rye and pumpernickel. A little chocolate, a little nutty. Get me to a bratwurst, now! Bring on the giant pretzel, mit mustard! 

I am thoroughly digging this, wish I could go back for more! 

Eine Spezialität die nicht nur zur Starkbierzeit schmeckt: kaffeefarbene Optik und eine besonders angenehme Vollmundigkeit mit dezenten Röstmalznoten.

Ol’ George # 41

 

Ol’ George # 41

Notes on # 41: 

1. It’s been a while for Chester, almost 5 months since he’s appeared. Got to rotate my regular supporting cast. Irma’s always, around, of course.

2. Is there a new regular on her way in? Stay tuned…

3. People ask me if George is based on me. Well, I’d never talk to my mom like that! I do owe her a call, come to think of it. 

4. George Herriman used to change up his logos with great frequency in “Krazy Kat”, so that’s been working its way in. Forgot to include “@ Kelly’s “, though.

Half Acre Beer Hates Astronauts IPA

 Half Acre Beer Hates Astronauts IPA.

7.8 % ABV, Half Acre Brewing, Chicago, IL. 

I enjoyed the comic book series, so I wanted to enjoy the beer. But it was $18 a 4-pack, and it’s now even barrel aged or imperial or nothing. (Although, 7.8% technically makes it a double…)So, I bought a single at $5, hope it’s worth it…

Clouded (wasn’t expecting that), orange hued, slim white head.

In the nose: citrus and pine, grapefruit and tangerine.

In the mouth: big blast of bitterness, slightly pulpy mouthfeel, loads of citrusy goodness on the palate. Bit of an alcohol burn. Fuller bodied. Altogether enjoyable.

India Pale Ale with Citra 

2025 edition 

Ursa Minor Drunk Gandalf Belgian-style Tripel Ale

 

Ursa Minor Drunk Gandalf Belgian-style Tripel Ale.

7.7 % SBV, 15 IBU, Ursa Minor Brewing, Duluth, Minnesota.

Clear, bright golden, slim white head.

In the nose: banana and bubblegum, right off the bat. Citrus and spice and everything nice. 

In the mouth: flood of sweet and spicy flavors blasts the palate. Bright and lively, sweet, strong, with consummate grit. Massive texture, thoroughly magical. Delicious Belgian maltiness, enchanting yeast, sublime hops. And that boozy lilt to take it all the way to Mt. Doom.

. “A beer is never late, it arrives precisely when it means to” -Gandalf. This beer is complex, light, floral, and spicy. The alcohol level has a warming quality about it that will kick you in the butt if you aren’t careful. Styrian Golding hops provide a clean bitterness that balances out the Belgian character of the beer.

Dangerous Man Last Call IIPA

 Dangerous Man Last Call IIPA. Cheers to the adventure of a lifetime. RIP Dangerous Man Brewing Co. 

9% ABV, 90 IBU, DMBC, Maple Lake, Minnesota. 

This, the last DMBC beer, was released back in March. I could have reviewed it then, but, no, I put it off for four months, because that’s me. 

Slightly clouded, bright golden, slim white head. 

In the nose: alcohol takes the lead, followed by citrus notes. Some tropical, grapefruit meets pineapple. 

In the mouth: bitterness sparks the tongue, before waves of fruity sensations wash over the palate. ABV comes roaring in. Medium body, easy drinkability (despite, etc.) Plentiful bitterness with exceptional flavors. 

I might have said something slightly different back when it was fresher, but that’s how it goes. Cheers, Rob & Sarah, you left a great legacy! 

Summit Cold Brew Coffee Blonde Ale

 Summit Cold Brew Coffee Blonde Ale. Brewer with Bizzy Cold Brew. 

4.1% ABV, 23 IBU, Summit Brewing, St. Paul, MN. 

This one came in a variety pack that was released last year. According to the stamp on the bottom, it was canned a year and a week ago. But, I’m reviewing it anyway. Because that’s how I clean my fridge.

Clear, bright golden color, slim white head. 

In the nose: nice and toasty coffee aromatics. Rich and abundant in earthiness. 

In the mouth: there’s the coffee from the start, and it’s nothing but smooth. Light-bodied, with never-ending coffee flavor. Good stuff. Held up pretty well. I’d have another. 

A clean, light bitter blonde ale brewed with Bizzy Cold Brew Coffee, this brew will give you strong notes of coffee and hints of milk chocolate.

Ol’ George #40: Seasonability

 

Ol’ George #40: Seasonability

Notes on #40

1. This one is non-canon, an Elseworlds, a hoax, a dream, an imaginary tale. There’s no way that George would stay away from his favorite bar and bartender for 10 weeks. It’s all in service of the gag. 

2. I came up with this one last Friday, when I returned to work after several days off and checked the cooler to what new beers came in, nothing but Oktoberfests, in the week of July, first week of August. That’s how it is, folks.

I started drawing it that night, but just finished it today.

I specifically thought of a regular customer who asked for a recommendation around this time last year. I suggested a local märzen I liked that just came in, and his response inspired George’s dialogue. Okay, we’ll stick to IPAs. The very next week he came in looking for that beer, having tried it at a friend’s house. Too late, sold out!

We want to sell out of that style by October’s end, because there isn’t a Novemberfest. 

3. I just recently finished Dan Nadel’s  new biography of R. Crumb, so I gave a bar stool to Mr. Natural, drinking a Mr. Natur Ale. In panel two, we see his disciple Flakey, having a Foont’s Finest.

4. In all my time managing bars, I never once did a tap takeover. Oh, I held plenty of beer events,  based on many themes, arranged around a myriad of breweries and styles. But I never once used that stupid name. But Irma’s not me, and I am certainly not calling her stupid. 

BlackStack Focus Group:Simcoe Single Hop West Coast Style IPA

 BlackStack Focus Group:Simcoe Single Hop West Coast Style IPA.

7.1% ABV, BlackStack Brewing, St. Paul, MN.

Clear, bright golden, slim white head.

In the nose: highly hopped, floral, slightly tropical tones, with a whiff of grapefruit, Sauvignon blanc, and litter box. 

In the mouth: high bitterness, bold hops, with a long, dry, abrasive finish. My kind of thing. That pop of white wine mingled with citrus and pine. Goes down nice and easy, with a pinch of sweetness/ fruitiness to match the bitterness. 

I like it. 

Before we get to the beer, I just need to get your opinion on a couple things. Focusing all of our attention on simcoe hops. Can I get a show of hands on who’s ready to crush one of these bad boys?

Ol’ George #39

 Ol’ George #39.

Notes on #39:

1. Who am I making fun of here? Oh, people that I talk to every day? I remember in the late 2000’s, someone walking into my bar and asking “got any James Page on tap?” But it goes beyond that. Yeah, Anchor Steam closed two years ago and they didn’t get the news, a brewery stops distributing and they never heard, but when it’s a matter of years, I wonder how often they buy beer. Oh, you haven’t noticed no one makes that style anymore? It’s been years!!!

Also, people with a hidebound attitude of what good beers are, who have no idea that things change, people, and it’s probably your fault for not supporting those styles. 

2. I came up with this idea months ago when it made sense to wear that kind of hat. Now that it’s July, I’ve decided that he’s the kind of man who would always wear it. Even in 90 degree weather. 

3. I know that the wife with no lines is only the second human female (versus two avians) (oh, plus Hello Kitty) in this strip’s history. This will change, I promise! 

4. Only the second strip where George has no lines. I thought that he needed a break. 

Ol’ George #38: Super Duper

 

Ol’ George #38: Super Duper.

Notes on #38:

1. Did I do Superman for #38 because he debuted in Action Comics #1 in 1938? Maybe.

2. After I wrote this, I realized that it is plagiarizing a t-shirt I bought at the August Schell Brewery gift shop years ago. The front has an amalgamation of the S on his chest and the A & S of their logo, with a stag thrown in for good measure. The back reads: I make beers disappear, what’s your super power?

I decided to draw it anyway.

3. James Gunn’s new movie informs us that Kryptonians can’t become intoxicated under Earth’s yellow sun. But we all know Kal-el drinks for the flavor. 

4. Easter egg for the hardcore Silver Age fans out there. Flamebirds are Kryptonian avians that reside in a zoo along with nightwings, in the bottle city of Kandor. For some reason, Supes and Jimmy Olsen become superheroes named Nightwing and Flamebird in the bottle city…I’m sorry, I can’t even type this anymore…

Superman dances the Krypton Crawl in Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #…nope, I won’t look it up… 

I might actually have more Jimmy Olsen comics than Superman…no, I won’t count, I don’t want to know…

5. Somehow, Kelly’s stocks bottles of Yule Cat, a coconut & cacao nib bourbon barrel aged imperial porter from Sisyphus Brewing that debuted on tap in late 2023 and in early 2024 in bottles with a label designed by me. My second beer label, hopefully not my last. George really wants his own beer. 

Falling Knife Tomm’s Classic American Lager

 Falling Knife Tomm’s  Classic American Lager.

4.8 % ABV, Falling Knife Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Clear, bright yellow, full ivory head, soon slimming.

In the nose: light hops, slightly citric, touch of cereal grain, typical light lager nose, but done well. 

In the mouth: much lemon. Kiss off the hops. Lightness of body, smooth drinkability, utterly pleasant. Wisp of malt. High quality. I get it. It’s what would happen if Hamm’s wasn’t so damned cheaply made and terribly boring. 

Our take on a Classic American Lager, the kind of beer you pound while building a brewery

Half Acre Daisy Cutter Union West Coast IPA

 Half Acre Daisy Cutter Union West Coast IPA. Brewed in collaboration with Firestone Walker Brewing Company.

7% ABV, Half Acre Brewing, Chicago, IL.

In the label illustration, the lion and bear of FW are met with the daisies and the owl of HA, but where is the squid? What happened to squid owl? I’ve got to know! 

Clear, bright golden, lush and lasting snowy head. 

On the nose: blast of citrus and pine, waves of dank. Richly resinous. Heady hoppiness. 

In the mouth: big bitterness from the first sip and continuity into the swallow. Surprisingly smooth and delightfully malty. Bitterness mellows some for complexity and delicious flavors to come in. Citrus notes with a basic brush with tropical tones. 

We're now so proud to announce this collaboration with Firestone Walker, as we brew a clear, bitter, hoppy, West Coast IPA that features a newly developed hop from the Hop Quality Group breeding program – HQG#4 – paired with Krush and Simcoe. We're honored to share the label with Firestone Walker and excited to share this West Coast IPA with you. HOPS: HQG#4, Krush, Simcoe

Ol’ George #37: The Birds

 Ol’ George #37: The Birds

Notes on #37: 

1. My idea list hasn’t dipped under 50, and the reason is that I keep coming up with new ones. I was going to do a different one yesterday. But the brain started working on a new idea after I passed a turkey on the side of the road as I biked to Steel Toe. What would she do at Kelly’s bar? Accuse him of bird bashing, after last week’s strip. Of course, Irma would join in, and, naturally, Tweety. Would any bird step up to defend him? Of course, Big Bird, and Snuffy.

2. I thought I would bring Oscar into the strip before these two.

3. Okay, okay, I will go back to doing some strips “about beer” and not all comic strip and cartoon guest stars. Or maybe not. 

Little Thistle Double Elbow Wagon Lager

 

Little Thistle Double Elbow Wagon Lager Dry-hopped Wheat Lager. Collaboration w/ Live Oak Brewing, Austin, Texas.

Lightly hazed, bright yellow, ivory head atop. 

In the nose: fresh & hoppy, notes of citrus, slight floral.

In the mouth: big hops at the start, with lemony flavor coming through. Crisp and, mostly, clean. Refreshing, with more flavor and body than a typical lager, which this is not. Exceptionally smooth. Quite tasty. 

Sometimes stories take on lives of their own. "Wagon Lager" started as "Lithuanian Wagon Lager" many years ago, a fictional tale about an apocryphal style of heavily-hopped lager brewed primarily with wheat malt by Baltic pioneers in wagons. Where were they coming from or going to? Not sure, but their destination was well-supplied with choice wheat and hops. Being chill folks, they decided to roll with it, and a new tradition was born.

To date, Double Elbow has been a project that attempts to faithfully recreate foundational styles. You can look at Wagon Lager one of two ways - either we've jumped the shark a bit here, or we're productively expanding the definition of "foundational." We're ok with whichever. 

Brewed in collaboration with my good friends and former co-workers at Live Oak Brewing in Austin, TX, Wagon Lager is a crispy clean, smooth-brewed lager hopped intensively with low-alpha Crystal on the hot side, and dry hopped with the best Cascade Cryo and Simcoe I could lay my hands on. I spent months working on a top-secret hoppy lager at Live Oak in 2012, code-named Hop Sodie, and I'm proud to say that Wagon Lager is its true spiritual successor. 

Or maybe it's just a West Coast Pils with a lot of wheat malt. Either way, you should drink it. 

Details 

Barrel Theory Old Money Double West Coast IPA

 

Barrel Theory Old Money Double West Coast IPA w/ Simcoe, Citra T-90, Chinook Cryo & Columbus Cryo.

7.9 % ABV, Barrel Theory Brewing, St. Paul, Minnesota. 

Clear, bright golden hue, slim ivory head.

In the nose: big time pine and citrus, resiny, dank. Delivering the goods. 

In the mouth: brisk, bright, crisp, delicious. Bitter and dry. All the citrus is popping on the palate, lemon and grapefruit, orange, tangerine. Blazes the tongue with a payload of hoppiness. Lingers long on the palate.

This one is flat-terrific. Thanks, Ed!

Ol’ George #36: Mo’ Kitty Blues

 

Ol’ George #36: Mo’ Kitty Blues

Notes on #36:

1. There have been only two occasions when a fake beer is advertised on the walls of Kelly’s Bar and they have both been bird-themed. Is this Irma’s (the emu bartender/bar manager) way to support her own species? How could I use that for a future strip, I wondered….and I thought about the great scene in Spike Lee’s classic 1988 film “Do The Right Thing “ and it just wrote itself. Well, Spike wrote it…

2. Barn Owl Bitter is fictitious, but there is a Barn Owl brewpub in British Columbia. There is a Kiwi lager in New Zealand, or was. Emu (Export & Bitter) is real. . The Brouwerij’Tij of the Netherlands is completely real. Why is a Dutch brewery using an African bird for its logo? Why not? (And what of Carlsberg Elephant?) 

3. George is playing the part of Buggin’ Out from the film, originally played by Giancarlo Esposito. Irma performs the role of Sal, first played by Danny Aiello. 

4. In panel two, we see Hello Kitty, who truly doesn’t belong, because according to Sanrio lore, she is an 8-year old human girl living in England, who pretends to be a cat? Whatever….

And the image of R. Crumb’s Fritz the Cat is taken from the 1964 story “Fritz Bugs Out”. (Buggin’ Out?)

5. George’s companions in panel three are there to illustrate the different ways that cats can wear hats. The  Cat in the Hat sits his squarely in the middle of his head, leaving his ears alone. Top Cat (the star of a 1961 Hanna Barberra cartoon ) has actual slots in his hat, allowing for his ears to poke through. And George plops his hat on his head, flattening his ears, and doesn’t give a shit. 

6. Is Irma gonna smack George on the head with that baseball bat, as Sal almost did to Buggin’ Out? There’s no John Turturro there to stop her…let’s imagine another panel where, oh, I don’t know, Chester steps in…

7. I don’t know if the Cat in the Hat will appear again, so I’ll use this opportunity to drop this lore bomb. Theodore “Dr. Seuss” Geisel’s grandfather was the co-owner of a brewery in Springfield, Massachusetts.  It was called Kulmbach & Geisel, but the locals called it “Come Back and Guzzle.” You’re welcome!!

Pipe works If The Shoe Fits West Coast Style India Pale Ale with Waimea and Cryo Simcoe

 Pipe works If The Shoe Fits West Coast Style India Pale Ale with Waimea and Cryo Simcoe.

7% ABV, Pipeworks Brewing, Chicago, IL. 

Clear with a slight chill haze, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: soft citrus and pine. 

In the mouth: nice bitterness up front, but not as brittle and dry as I’d like. I’m not up on my Waimea, and I’m not thoroughly well versed on cryo and what it’s supposed to do, but there are some undefinable flavors that don’t quite match what I look for in a West Coast IPA. Light bodied, easy drinking, just enough bitterness, but doesn’t really deliver.