Surly Dry Irish Stout

 Surly Dry Irish Stout.

4.5 % ABV, Surly Brewing, Twin Cities, MN. 

Dark brown color, thoroughly opaque, small tanned head. 

In the nose: dry and malty, notes of cocoa and coffee. Fits the bill so far. 

In the mouth: smooth, rich and roasty, hearty and highly drinkable. Just enough bitterness, tiny touch of sweet. Fully fulfills the style. If this is a style you dig, go out and dig it. Save some for next Tuesday. 

Smooth, roasty, and light-bodied, Surly's Dry Irish Stout is a like a cozy corner pub in a can (or glass). The toasty malt flavor and dry finish will have you buying another round and speaking in a surprisingly authentic brogue in no time. Or at least that's what it does for us.

Junkyard Phaser West Coast Style IPA

 Junkyard Phaser West Coast Style IPA. 

6.4 % ABV, Junkyard Brewing, Moorhead, Minnesota. 

Crystal clear, bright golden color, large ivory head. 

In the nose: dry and citrusy, with sweet and tropical creeping in through the cracks. 

In the mouth: clean and somewhat crisp. Plenty of bitterness graces the palate, but not quite enough. That’s the theme of the thing: close but not enough. Do I expect too much of so-called West Coast IPAs? I suspect that I do. But, someone’s gotta be the one to call it out. 

Medium bodied, long, bitter finish. Not too shabby there. 

I get samples from Junkyard fairly often, and they’re usually hazy IPAs, so you don’t see them here. I drink them but never enjoy them. This one I bought with my own money, breaking my rule against $15 4-packs. I don’t regret the purchase, not entirely. 

I do wish I knew why Spock looks like he was drawn by Osamu Tezuka. 

After careful evaluation, Phaser has proven… fascinating. This West Coast IPA is propelled by a bold, no-nonsense hop engine that delivers brisk acceleration across the palate—bright pine, citrus zest, and resinous bitterness at velocities hop lovers find thrilling. Efficiency is not the objective here; precision and impact are. Aromatic output is unapologetically loud, crisp, and assertive, finishing clean and dry with classic West Coast clarity.

It would be illogical to hesitate in acquiring this beer.

One additional note: a single eyebrow may be raised in approval upon first sip.

Please do not inform McCoy.

Ol’ George #71

 Ol’ George #71

Notes on #71

1. No notes, 10/10!

2. Just kidding. 

When I wrote this and started drawing it, it occurred to me that many of you won’t get it, some of you will hate it, and a few of you will completely cut me from your lives, disown me, and/or privately wish for my death. I find that very unfortunate and am more than a little ashamed of you. It’s just a cartoon, after all. One of my most meta. I warned you this was going to happen. 

Who knows what is really happening here? I won’t tell…I probably don’t even know. 

3. I’ll tell more about the sign in panel two. It refers to the 1954 Dr. Seuss movie “The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T”, wherein the titular Dr. Terwilliger, an evil piano teacher played deliciously by Hans Conreid, has captured 500 children and is forcing them to play a giant piano. It was a big flop, this first and only live action film of Seuss’ lifetime, but I love it. One of the final songs (yes, it’s a musical) is a high camp number called “Do Me Do Duds” where Hans announces to his manservants how he would like to be dressed up for his grand concert. It closes with: “Dress me up in pretzels, dress me up in bock beer suds!” 

And that might be the last time beer is mentioned in the works of Dr. Seuss. (Prior to his kids’ book career, Seuss did a good amount of beer advertising art.) 

Hammerheart Høst Øl

 

Hammerheart Høst Øl. Smoked Wheat Ale.

8.1 % ABV, Hammerheart Brewing, Ely, MN. 

Clear, burgundy hued, slim white head. 

In the nose: smoke hits first, then sweet malt, then the smoke. Little to no hops. 

In the mouth: super smooth, rich, malty, delicious, warming. Perfect winter beer. Smoke subsides a bit and caramel and toffee take over. Yum a dum dum. 

A beer inspired by Scandinavian Harvest ales, brewed for late autumn as the first snow arrives on fallen birch leaves in the Northwoods. Our Høst Øl is rich in malt flavor, balanced by earthy hops, clove esters, and mild oak-smoke. Høst Øl celebrates the last days of fall before the beauty of winter sets in. 

Ol’ George #70

 Ol’ George #70

Notes on #70:

1. When I came up with the central joke, I had to do my due diligence and surely enough, it was not original. In fact, it has been used for four beers: an Imperial Stout by a brewpub in San Juan Capistrano (checked in by one person on Untappd), a Black IPA in the Czech Republic, a Hazy IPA in Jersey City, and a Cold IPA by Sun King of Indiana, which has the best label design of them all. 

2. Irma is an emu, and I always, absurdly, worry about drawing her “correctly.” She has purple feathers instead of brown, for starters, but that was a choice. Her neck is never long enough. Her wingspan is much larger than a real emu, but how else could she do her job? I sometimes forget the nostrils on her beak, which are quite large on a real one. I’ve never drawn her entire body, and maybe never will. Although, Never say never. 

But why worry, it’s a cartoon! There’s a lot of wholly inaccurate cartoon animals out there, I’m sure no one cares. Do Snoopy and Woodstock look anything like a real dog or bird? 

3. I decided to experiment with this one and inked the George and Irma figures with India ink and brush, everyone/thing else with the usual felt tip pen. I was then going to color those figures with watercolor, and that’s when it hit me. The felt tip pens are not waterproof.! You can see where this went wrong if you look. This whole endeavor is a work in progress and I have never promised perfection. I will try inking with brush again, but it’s hard, and requires concentration. 

4. Media: pencil, India ink, felt tip pen, watercolor, colored pencil. 

You know what phrase I have always hated? Pen and ink. Often, the drawing in question was done with brush, but no one ever says “brush and ink.” And no painting is described as “brush and oil”. Did anyone ever call Jackson Pollock’s action paintings “gravity and acrylic”? 

See, I think about this stuff, maybe too much. 

Modist Folklor Oak-aged Bock

Modist Folklor Oak-aged Bock. 

Mahogany hue, clear, creamy, tanned head. 

In the nose: sweet and malty, caramel-y, classic. 

In the mouth: rich and malty, with restrained sweetness All smooth, all the time. Clean and balanced. Small bitterness. Maybe too sweet? No, say I, it’s just right. Awesome bock! I have thoroughly enjoyed this. 

German-style Bock w/ Munich malt, caramunich malt, melanoidin malt, carafa special malt, aged in American oak foeders

Barrel Theory Resin Tomb West Coast India Pale Ale

 Barrel Theory Resin Tomb West Coast India Pale Ale with Chinook, Citra T-90 + Simcoe hops.

When it’s this cloudy, why bother calling it West Coast? Should I even

continue? Yes, I sigh, resignedly…bright gold, ivory head, impenetrable…

In the nose: bold & vibrant, floral & citric, just about gorgeous. 

In the mouth: tasty. Lemon and orange. Some bitterness, but not enough to call it a West Coast. People getting pretty free and easy with their definitions around here. Too soft and fuzzy. 

This brewery may have made a decent WC once before if I can recall. But this is so far from the mark, I wonder why they even try. 

Indeed Moon Dance Oatmeal Stout

 Indeed Moon Dance Oatmeal Stout.

5.1 % ABV, 25 IBU, Indeed Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Dark brown, with ruby edges, creamy tan head. 

In the nose: roasty and dry, slightly bittersweet, earthy coffe & cocoa notes.

In the mouth: smooth and delicious, cocoa & coffee staying centered on the palate. Medium bodied with a malty finish. Quite delightful. 

Ol’ George #69: The Sign Part 7

 Ol’ George #69: The Sign Part 7.

Notes on # 69: 

1. The end! The ultimate! The culmination! Why did it take me almost four months to finish, due to all the new ideas I came up with or the seasonal stories that had to be drawn at just the right time? No, because I had to figure out how to draw a men’s room. 

2. You’ll see George drinking Bad Kitty Beer again, but not from a pint glass, cans and bottles only. Unless there are branded glasses left over at the bar and Irma feels that it would be okay to pour a different tap beer into one for her Ol’ pal George now and then. When he looks on the logo, it’s like he’s seeing himself. 

3. That’s why it’s his favorite beer. It was never actually any good. 

4. Do you ever wonder why I date the strips earlier than I publish them? I always add the date when I begin drawing. This one was started Saturday night, pencils done Sunday night, inks done Monday, color finished tonight…or, maybe tomorrow, I’m getting sleepy…

Sierra Nevada West Ghost Modern West Coast IPA

 

Sierra Nevada West Ghost Modern West Coast IPA .

7.2 % ABV, 6.5 % IBU, Sierra Nevada Brewing, Chico, CA & elsewhere. 

At first, I thought this was a joke. SN puts out a 4-pack of 16-ouncers with a comical name & label art and wants $19 for it? They must be kidding! Luckily, I got a sample can, so I didn’t have to spend nothing! I mean, for $19, I can get a 12-pack! 

Clear, bright golden hue, large, lush ivory head. 

In the nose: big time citrus and a side order of pine. Tiniest touch of tropical.

In the mouth: big hops, bitter, dry…not quite crisp… lightly abrasive…somewhat refreshing… but not exactly what I’m looking for in a…wait a minute, what on Earth is a “modern West Coast IPA?” 

I’m still investigating it…I’m coming up with a lack of crystal malts, which I never knew was a thing…some say less bitter, more tropical…I say that’s blasphemy! 

I enjoyed this okay, but not $19 okay. 

An old-school IPA back from the dead, lest we forget that today's haze began bright. This West Coast ghost is uber crisp and proudly bitter, with notes of citrus and sweet fruit.

Bauhaus Brew Labs x Hammerheart Brewing Company Gräor Alder the Grey Nordic Porter

 

Bauhaus Brew Labs x Hammerheart Brewing Company Gräor Alder the GreyNordic Porter.

8.8 % ABV, 28 IBU, Bauhaus Brew Labs, Minneapolis, Minnesota in collaboration with Hammerheart Brewing, 

Deep black, lush tan head. 

In the nose: getting spruce (wrong: juniper) and smoke, over cocoa and coffee. 

In the mouth: what was in the nose comes on the tongue, and it’s a smooth, but bittersweet thing. Significantly hoppy and bitter,  with creamy and smooth the order of the day. 

Alcohol lays low, until it doesn’t. Smoke grows. Roasted barley and rich malt makes this a mighty thing. 

Forged in collaboration with Hammerheart Brewing Co. in Ely, MN, Gråor: Alder the Grey is a nordic porter that channels the spirit of the north into liquid form. Alderwood smoked malt weaves through layers of chocolate, caramel, and roasted barley like fog through frozen pines, while our Haus-made botanical tincture of juniper, peppercorn, birchwood, cardamom, and rosemary conjures the raw essence of nordic wilderness. This hauntingly smooth tribute to the woods pours jet black at 8.8% ABV.

Ol’ George #68: Bein’ Blue

 Ol’ George #68: Bein’ Blue

Notes on #68:

1. There are four artists who have been my greatest inspirations since my earliest youth: Charles M. Schulz, Walt Kelly, Ted “Dr. Seuss” Geisel, and Jim Henson. If I had to choose a fifth, Chuck Jones. 

Sure, I watched the newest Muppet Show, and I enjoyed it, and it got me re-watching old episodes. And thinking about how the show ended because Jim wanted to do movies, and he couldn’t do it all. Well, what if he farmed it out earlier and let others take over his roles on the show? Maybe then, we wouldn’t be discussing and debating Kermit performers 35 years after his death. We’d be used to it by now.

No, that’s crazy! Jim was Kermit, he would never have given the role up. And I don’t think a Henson-less Muppet Show would have worked at all. Every time, on the Show or the Street or elsewhere, that I see one of his scenes, I imagine the man down below, having the time of his life. 

Big Axe Holiday Season Stout

 Big Axe Holiday Season Stout.

6.5 % ABV, 46 IBU. 

Big Axe Brewing, Nisswa, Minnesota.

I’ve admitted to it before, and I’m still trying to improve these bad habits. It could be worse, it could be much worse (and has been.) My name is Al and I procrastinate.

Dark brown body, large tan head.

In the nose: gingerbread cookie. Cinnamon. Brown sugar. Clove? All floating on top of a stout. 

In the mouth: all that Christmas cookie flavor takes its turn on the tongue. Holiday spices ahoy! Sturdy stout below. Dry and drinkable. Slightly bittersweet. I’m digging it. 

Junkyard Orange Dream Pop Vanilla Orange Marshmallow Sour

 Junkyard Orange Dream Pop Vanilla Orange Marshmallow Sour.

Sour ale with vanilla, blood orange, tangerine, and marshmallow. 5.5 % ABV.

Brewed and packaged by Junkyard Brewing Co. of Moorhead, Minnesota. 

This beer has several strikes against it. It is eight months old, it is a sour, it has marshmallow. But I’m a gonna take notes anyway. Just ‘cause. 

Orange, clouded, soon-gone white head. 

In the nose: all dreamsicle, all day long. And marsh-mallowy. 

In the mouth: sour hits first, then sweet and tart citrus creeps out. And somewhere lurks the marshmallow. Vanilla is here, bright orange & tangerine. Actually, quite delicious. I might actually finish the whole thing. 

Will wonders of wonders never cease? 

This sour is a delightful concoction that brings together the creamy essence of vanilla, the tangy zest of orange, and the fluffy sweetness of marshmallow. This unique blend captures the nostalgic flavors of a classic creamsicle. Perfect for those sunny days and warm evenings.

Ol’ George #67: Groundhog’s Day

 

Ol’ George #67: Groundhog’s Day

Notes on #67:

1. Not too much to say here. Again, George tried to pigeonhole and stereotype some rodent, and of course Gavin is there. Will this happen again? Surely. 

Hammerheart Sköll och Hati

 Hammerheart Sköll och Hati Smoked Chocolate Stout.

6% ABV, Hammerheart Brewing, Ely, MN.

Opaque, dark brown, slim, cocoa tinged head. 

In the nose: cocoa, cream, coffee.

In the mouth: full and robust. Rich and chocolatey. Majorly malty. Exceptionally smooth. I’m not picking up much smoke, though…maybe just a touch? Just hiding underneath? 

Anyway, damned tasty. 

Oh, wait, there it is…

A rich yet dry Chocolate Stout with a touch of Beechwood and Mesquite Smoked Malts, Roasted Barley, Chocolate Malt, and Cocoa Nibs, A Stout dark enough to chase the Sun and Moon like the famed wolves of its namesake. 

Ommegang Everything Naughty White Chocolate Imperial Blonde Stout

 Ommegang Everything Naughty White Chocolate Imperial Blonde Stout.

9.5 % ABV, 27 IBU, Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY. 

Not quite clear, not quite a stout, golden hued, slim white head. 

In the nose: I’m getting the essence of white chocolate here, mostly malty, slightly sweet, mild bitterness.

In the mouth: cocoa and coffee on the palate, lightly bittersweet. Chocolatey and golden, how do they do it? It tastes like a stout, but doesn’t look like one. I guess that’s a thing, huh? And it’s only 9.5%? And I should’ve taken these notes two months ago? No matter, it’s still good. 

The Naughty Elves were spotted in Cooperstown not long ago full of mischief and mayhem which left us, much to our delight, with an imperial blonde stout; Everything Naughty. A stout that confuses the eyes and tantalizes the taste buds. Anticipate notes of roasted coffee and white chocolate complete with a  brilliant golden hue.  

This rich stout is smooth and velvety with classic stout flavors.

Ol’ George #66: F*ck Ice Part Two

 

Notes on 66:

1. Didn’t I do Fuck Ice just two weeks ago? Yeah, well they killed again, so here we are. It’s kind of a familiar joke, but I gave it my own twist. Thanks, Winona!

2. Who’s Irma calling Boss? That would be me, in my second appearance in my own strip. Sometimes I leave my lofty perch above my creations and enter their world to drink with them. Ol’ Grand-Dad on the rocks is my drink when I’m bored of beer. OGD OTR, I’ll tell the bartender. Or, used to. Because, you know. 

3. Border Patrol in Minneapolis? Are we worried about Manitobans sneaking in? 

Barrel Theory October Rust Märzen

 Barrel Theory October Rust Märzen. 

5% ABV, 18 IBU, Barrel Theory Brewing, St. Paul, MN. 

Clear and copper-colored, mighty white head atop.

In the nose: sweet and malty, note perfect for style. 

In the mouth: super smooth, malty and delicious. Light to medium bodied. Soft finish. Fully flavored. Thoroughly enjoyable. Slightly out of season, but I don’t really care.

“Märzen Ale” says the label. Oh, is it, now? Yeah, I can see that. 

Ol’ George #65: The Sign Part 6

 

Ol’ George #65: The Sign Part 6

Notes on # 65:

1. The first Ol’ George without George! Just our two favorite females. Does this “pass the Bechdel test “? No, because they’re discussing our male lead. Too bad.

2. I think that Irma has nightmares about George. For this she left Australia? 

3. One episode left in our epic Saga of the Sign! I don’t know about you but I’m dying to find out how it ends!