Modist Blueberry Second Breffix

 Modist Blueberry Second Breffix. Imperial breakfast stout w/ blueberry maple syrup, Wildflyer coffee, brown sugar, vanilla bean & oat milk. 

10 % ABV, Modist Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Solid blackness, completely opaque, under a large, creamy tanned head. 

In the nose: coffee and vanilla, roasty and bittersweet. Blueberries creeping in. 

In the mouth: surprisingly smooth and sweet. Berries are shining bright on the palate. Bitter meets sweet and roasty malt rises over all. There’s maple surup here, too, right? Swallowed up by berries? 

A complex and richly rewarding beverage that is making an excellent nightcap on this frigid night. 

Ol’ George #12: Sober-ish

 Ol’ George #12: Sober-ish.

Notes on #12:

1. I hate “Dry January”. It’s a stupid trend, and I hate those. I don’t hate drinking in moderation and I certainly don’t hate not drinking or quitting drinking. This thing of taking the first 31 days of the year off, then resuming is non-sensical. Are you doing it just to prove you can? Then do a full week every other week. Do every other day. Do Dry February. March. Even, if you can imagine it, August. But, January? Are you kidding?

January is the worst month for bars, brewery taprooms, restaurants for many reasons. The cold, the dark, seasonal depression, tight budgets after holiday spending, …so many things make January a hard month for bar industry staff. And you want to add another reason for making things slow at your favorite bar/brewery/restaurant? That’s unnecessarily cruel. 

If you return to see your favorite bartender or server on February 1, and say “sorry, we were doing Dry January”, that doesn’t help them pay their bills. Maybe you did visit them, but chose NA options. Well, that’s cool. You ate and tipped? All good. 

2. These two do not enter the club of George’s drinking buddies. They’re not drinking. Tom Waits and Snoopy did enter the club. You don’t have to be drinking alcohol to be a George drinking buddy. I really don’t know what they were doing. Slurping from the water cooler? I’m not giving them names, they’re terrible people. 

Fair State A Dose of Thunder.Baltic Porter

 Fair State A Dose of Thunder.Baltic Porter.

8.8 % ABV, Fair State Brewing Cooperatives, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

I had to try this one for several reasons. Let’s list them: 1. I haven’t had any Fair State in a while, because I don’t do the hazy IPAs. 2. I love Baltic Porter and will try any that I can find. 3. There appear to be several layers of Replacements references going on with the name and the label. You can figure it out. 

Dark brown, nearly black, thoroughly opaque, under a rich, cocoa tan head. 

In the nose: sweet and malty, cocoa and cream. Delightful.

In the mouth: exceptionally smooth on the palate, while being robust and full bodied Notes of cocoa and cream, deliciously dark and roasty. Touch of bittersweet. The bold alcohol level is holding it all together. Ridiculously drinkable, though the Thunder claps will ring in due time.

Can’t you feel it? Start to rumble? 

Pipeworks Wongo Mongo IPA

 Pipeworks Wongo Mongo IPA. With Citra, Galaxy & Mosaic hops. 

7.3 % ABV, Pipeworks Brewing, Chicago, IL.

Clear, bright golden hue, snowy white head. 

In the nose: Citra dominates, it’s Citr-Ruffin, everything you want in an IPA. Bold fruit, bright bitterness. 

In the mouth: hoppy and smooth, mild bitterness, bursting with fruity notes on the palate. Juicy citrus up front, ending on a dry note. Thoroughly delightful. 

We brewed this Galaxy and Mosaic hopped easy sipper for a good pal. These suds are best shared with buds and pair well with throwing threes, unless the high hop aroma has you rolling cee-lo. Either way, here’s to a 456. 

Dangerous Man Velour Hen Belgian Tripel Ale

 Dangerous Man Velour Hen Belgian Tripel Ale.

8.5% ABV, 21 IBU, Dangerous Man Brewing, Maple Lake, Minnesota. 

Wonder what on earth a “velour hen” is? It helps if you can remember way back thirteen years ago when Tallgrass had a tripel called Velvet Rooster.

Clear, bright golden hue, ivory head. 

In the nose: bubblegum pops first, slightly fruity, yeasty…earmarks of s tripel.

In the mouth: sweet continues on the palate, with small bitterness, and encroaching high alcohol beating on the brain. Candi sugar and brash bubblegum, splashes of stone fruit and glimmers of citrus. 

Not too shabby of an attempt there at this slippery style

A velour golden masterpiece. This Belgian tripel wraps you in its smooth warmth, while leaving you refreshed and craving more. It dazzles like the bbq elusive Velour Hen: a little candy-like sweetness, a little fruity and just a smidge spicy!. 

Ol’ George #11: Mind Your P’s

 

Notes on #11: 

1. Chester is back, after his first appearance in the first strip from way back in October/November. I’d forgotten that he always wore a button bedecked vest. I hope that every time he appears, I get a little better at drawing him. Of course, that’s my general, every day wish about everything.

2. Ditto Irma the bartender, in her 4th appearance.

3. I thought the “peanut butter pickle” was weird enough to gag George, but sure enough there are several of those out there, but none is a Porter.

Barn Town Brewing in W. Des Moines canned PB Pickle Tickle Blonde Ale, which poured a bright green and seemed to be liked. 74 check-ins on Untapped, 3.25 average.

Lagunitas made a PBP pils for a Strange Beer Frstival. Several people reported getting neither flavor. 12 check ins. 2.17 average.

Martin House Brewing of Fy. Worth, TX made one as a Gose. One commenter said it didn’t work as a sour. 4 check ins.

Craft Life of Hudson, FL did a PB Dill Cream ale. Also 4 check ins.

I can’t come up with a weird beer without discovering it already exists. Maybe someone will take a pickle beer (my store has two in stock, by Oliphant and by Destihl) and a PBP and combine them, tell me how it tastes. Too bad that I finished a Destihl PBP a few days ago, could’ve kept it “in the family”, so to speak. 

Belching Beaver West Bestern West Coast IPA

 Belching Beaver West Bestern West Coast IPA. Brewed with Simcoe, mosaic, strata & Idaho 7 hops.

7 % ABV,  91 IBU, Belching Beaver Brewing, Oceanside, CA. 

Clear, bright golden hue, large, lace-leaving ivory froth.

In the nose: grapefruit, lemon and pine. Bold citrus hop bouquet.

In the mouth: brisk blast of bitterness on the palate, slowly turning down and finishing dry. Lean bodied and loaded with hops. Approachable for the style, though: an easy drinker with a consistent hoppy edge. Ends crisp, dry, fruity, delicious. 

Road trips. Beer festivals. Airport bars. Celebrations. 2 AM taco runs. Some things are just best enjoyed with friends – and for this West Coast IPA we’ve combined forces with some of the Best-in-the-West for this 3-way brew collaboration, Westbound & Down Brewing Company and Craft Coast Beer & Tacos. A resinous IPA loaded with Mosaic, Simcoe, Strata, and Idaho 7 hops that showcases exactly what makes the West best. Grab a friend, crack some cans, and stay a while. We’ll leave the light on.

Victory Merry Monkey

 Victory Merry Monkey. Belgian/style ale with cranberry, orange peel, cinnamon and nutmeg.

10 % ABV, 35 IBU, Victory Brewing, Downington, PA. 

Christmas is long over, the New Year in full swing, what better time to cozy up with a holiday ale?

Clear, with an odd complexion..,dark orange? Ruddy red? Light burgundy? With a brief white head. 

In the nose…sweet, fruity, tart, spicy. Quite a lot going on. Rather delightful.

In the mouth: holiday spices lead the surge. Gingerbread dunked in cranberry juice. Orange peel shows itself, mingled with nutmeg, all on top of a tripel, the most of which remains is the alcohol level. A warming, and charming,

This Belgian-style Holiday Ale combines the beloved flavor profile of Golden Monkey with notes of cranberry, orange peel, cinnamon and nutmeg to deliver a delightfully smooth finish, perfect for merry gatherings with family and friends.

Dangerous Man Rye IPA

 

Dangerous Man Rye IPA.

6.5 % ABV, 55 IBU, Dangerous Man Brewing, Maple Lake, Minnesota. 

Clear and copper-y colored, under a large , lusivory head. 

In the nose: hoppy, malty, spicy, an intriguing mix. Rye dominates, but I dig it. Earthy, slightly sweet.

In the mouth: bright hoppiness, small bitterness, quickly swallowed up by rye malt sweet and spice. Bready, earthy, hearty. Loads of character and flavor in this, a style rarely attempted. Not my favorite style of IPA, but I can appreciate it and I’m glad someone trots one out once in a while. 

Summit Saga Juicy IPA

 Summit Saga Juicy IPA. 

5.2 % ABV, 55 IBU, Summit Brewing, St. Paul, Minnesota. 

Clear, golden hued, bright ivory head atop.

In the nose: lovely hopping, citrus and spices notes.

In the mouth: nice bit of bitterness up front, sliding off a tad near the end of the swallow. The juicy part rises up on the palate and blends with the bitter. Swims happily in the mouth, goes down nice and easy, but never lets you forget it’s an IPA. Ends dryly. Highly likable. 

Currently only available in the Saga Goddess Series variety pack. 

Ol’ George #10: Time and a Bottle

 

Notes on #10: 

1. This is the sixth week in a row that I have started a strip on a Sunday, finished it on a Monday, and showed it to the world on Tuesday. It’s a project conceived in September, begun in October and proceeded with in earnest in November. The year ends on a nice round number. Ten down, who knows how many to go. I am happy about that.

2. Father Time ends the streak of George’s hatted drinking buddies. Will Baby New Year begin a new one? 

3. George’s beer of choice tonight is Robinson’s Old Tom, an English Old Ale that I once had the pleasure of putting on tap at the Blue Nile years ago. Unfortunately, it is no longer available in this market, or this country for all I now. It was named for the brewery’s cat, who has appeared on every label. 

Happy New Year, everyone!

Ol’ George #9: He Said Ho, Ho, Ho...

 

Fat Orange Cat Winter Warmer

 Fat Orange Cat Winter Warmer. 

7% ABV, ale with spices. Fat Orange Cat Brew Co., New Haven, CT.

Dark brown color, leaning into black, cocoa toned head above. 

In the nose: nice and roasty toasty. Notes of ginger, malt, vanilla. Comfy-cozy are we. 

In the mouth: flavors of gingerbread, cocoa and marshmallows, spiced Christmas cookies all leap out and play on the palate. Crisp, smooth, delicious. Dark fruits jump into the fray, mixing up with spices. Full bodied and fully flavored. 

One of my favorite new winter warmers of recent memory. I’m going back for more before it’s gone. 

Pryes Drops of Time Whiskey Barrel Aged English Barleywine

 Pryes Drops of Time Whiskey Barrel Aged English Barleywine. 

11.1% ABV, 23 IBU, Pryes Brewing, Minneapolis, MN.

Cleanish, dark burgundy hue, beneath a slim ivory cap. 

In the nose: rich malt, caramel, dark fruit, cherry, leather…touch of vanilla…everything I like in a Barleywine.

In the mouth: big and boozy, rich and malty, more caramel and vanilla, whiskey cones forward and grabs the reins. It starts as little sparks and culminates in a lovely cacophony, merging into sweet harmony. Magnificent. 

The tradition of brewing English Barleywine has been a part of Pryes Brewing since our very beginning. Drops of Time marks the zero hour of our return to brewing and bottling this historic style, and it is well worth the wait. Rich toffee, sticky caramel, and vanilla barrel characteristics come by way of a long boil, an extended aging time in rye whiskey and bourbon barrel, and blending this concoction at the exact right moment. Time is of the essence, and Drops of Time is the reward for our patience.

Allagash Tripel Belgian-style Ale

 Allagash Tripel Belgian-style Ale. 

9% ABV, 18 IBU, Allagash Brewing, Portland, ME. 

After more than 20 years, Allagash is back in Minnesota. Can those guys hold a grudge! Just because one distributor in a particular state goes out of business and owes you thousands of dollars, it doesn’t mean they all will. 

So, I’m returning to this beer that I first took notes on back in 2003, but forget about those. New notes this time.

Clear, with slight chill haze, bright golden, large ivory froth.

In the nose: citrus and spice, orange and coriander. Slight sweetness.

In the mouth: more spice tingling the palate. High alcohol warms up the insides. Pleasant hopping keeping the mouth happy. Medium bodied, thoroughly enjoyable. 

An altogether excellent take on this Belgian style. Good stateside renditions are rare and I’m overjoyed that we have back. (And in 6-packs!)

This strong golden ale carries herbal notes and passion fruit in the aroma. Suggestions of honey and biscuit are found in the beer's complex, varied palate. Brewed with our 2-row barley blend, hopped with Nugget and Hallertau, then fermented on our house yeast, Tripel offers up a complex, yet dry finish.

Ol’ George#8: He Said No, No, No

 

Ol’ George#8: He Said No, No, No…

Notes on #8: 

1. George does not believe in a higher power. As long as he can reach the barstool, he’s fine.

2. George is not a fool, nor an ignoramus. He’s strictly a smart aleck. Not everyone gets the joke, though, especially when part of the punchline never leaves his brain. 

3. This strip has nothing to do with my disdain for hazy IPAs. I just needed a funny IPA name. Did you know that there isn’t a Golden Fluff beer out there anywhere?Doesn't seem right. 

4. Poor Irma. To have a regular like George can really try your patience. By the way, she is supposed to be an emu, but I don’t think I have nailed that visually just yet, so let’s just say that she’s a sub-tropical flightless avian, with the patience of a saint. 

Castle Danger West Coast IPA

 Castle Danger West Coast IPA.

7% ABV, Castle Danger Brewing, Two Harbors, Minnesota. 

I’m at the last can of the six pack, time for note-taking. Or, my procrastination imp whispers into my ear, just drink it up and buy more tomorrow. Nope, not today, imp!

Clear, bright golden toned, fresh ivory head atop.

In the nose: burst of hop aroma from the start, citrus and pine aplenty. All the things I like. 

In the mouth: brisk, bitter, dank and dry. Perfect West Coast, light bodied, just enough malt, just enough out of balance. Grapefruit, lemon, lime and pine paint the palate. Delicious hop bitterness hangs long on the palate. 

Okay, I will definitely get some more of this, gonna add it to the regular rotation. Need to reward these guys for making it a year-round. 

Meet our West Coast IPA! Immerse yourself in a medley of citrus, pine, and resin, embracing the authentic West Coast hop experience. Picture savoring the bold blend of grapefruit, zesty orange, and a hint of pine resin, creating a taste sensation that’s pure West Coast. With a crisp and bitter finish that hits the mark, our West Coast IPA embodies the classic flavors that make this style iconic. Here’s to bringing the West Coast vibes to the North Shore!

Off Color Beer for Power Plays Baltic Porter

 Off Color Beer for Power Plays Baltic Porter. 

7.5 % ABV, Off Color Brewing, Chicago, Il. 

Dark brown color with ruby highlights, cocoa BBC toned head, utterly opaque. 

In the nose: malty, creamy, nutty. Highly likable.

In the mouth: dark, smooth, rich and surprisingly drinkable. Well, I’m not surprised, but I bet someone is…Slightly sweet, barely bitter, and a joy to quaff. Quite delightful.?

They don’t call this a Baltic Porter anywhere, but they should. “Baltic-style dark lager?” Give me a break! 

At a feisty 7.5% ABV, our Baltic Style Strong Dark Lager hits hard enough to put you in the penalty box for a five minute major.

MALTS: Pils, Munich, Extra Special, Dark Roasted

HOPS: Nugget, Saaz

SECRET INGREDIENTS: Ice Cold Lagering

Dangerous Man New Zealand Pilsner

 Dangerous Man New Zealand Pilsner.

5.4% ABV, 30 IBU, Dangerous Man Brewing, Maple Lake, Minnesota.

Clear, golden hued, large ivory head. 

In the nose: nicely hopped, floral notes, slight fruitiness. 

In the mouth: brief blast of bitterness, then comes the grapes. New Zealand hops always give off a white wine character and this beer has it aplenty. Light bodied, crisp and clean, with unflagging hop flavors. Easy drinking, highly enjoyable. 

This New Zealand Pilsner is a light-medium body and smooth lager brewed featuring unique New Zealand hops.  A crackery malt base provides support for this very drinkable, refreshing and hop-forward pilsner, really letting the New Zealand hops shine with bright notes of citrus, melon, tropical fruits, grass, and white grape.

Ol’ George #7: It’s Tom, Tom, Tom…

 Ol’ George #7: It’s Tom, Tom, Tom…

Notes on #7;

1. I was thinking of another idea for #7, but when I realized that Thomas Alan Waits (born Dec. 7, 1949, Pomona, California) had just celebrated his 75th birthday, I bumped this one up.

2. In this seventh installment, Tom is George’s 5th drinking buddy, the second based on a real human being and the second one drinking root beer and not real beer. I don’t know if Tom actually drinks that beverage, but if his wife Kathleen hadn’t made him quit the sauce all those years ago, he probably wouldn’t have made it to the present anniversary and we’d be without so many great songs. 

3. Tom’s quote is not of his own invention, but he speaks the line to Martin Mull and Fred Willard in a 1977 episode of “Fernwood Tonight” after singing “The Piano Has Been Drinking.” Look it up on YouTube, it’s hilarious. Some say it was first spoken by Tommy Smothers on “The Smothers Brothers” TV show, others say Dorothy Parker originated it, but I can’t nail down the truth. 

4. The punchline is just an excuse for George to make reference to a certain film about a man for his times that I’ve seen probably a hundred times. The cowboy on the label is another clue (hint: it’s not Wilford Brimley.) And if you still don’t get it…obviously, you’re not a golfer. 

5. Tom carries on another tradition of George’s drinking buddies. They all wear hats. (In Snoopy’s case, a flight helmet.) Will they all remain hatted? Who can say?