Ol’ George #85: Mirror Image

 Ol’ George #85: Mirror Image.

Notes on #85.

1. A few weeks back, a friend sent me a pic of some art of a cartoon cat seen at a bar, with the question “your work?” Silly Sam, you’ve seen my stuff. But it gave me an idea and I used the character. I have no idea who the artist responsible is, but whoever they are, I apologize and promise to give a cut of all related future profits, royalties and residuals.

2. The anonymous kitty is drinking a can of Fat Cat lager, a brand I used to sell at The Blue Nile fifteen or so years ago. It had a label with a cartoon cat, also smoking a cigar. Are they still in business? Apparently so, if only in La Jolla, California. Or I may be completely wrong. 

3. I have never shown anyone smoking in this strip because it is banned at Kelly’s Bar & Grill. How did Irma serve him if he’s illegally smoking? Maybe she didn’t? Perhaps he snuck the can in? And helped himself to a glass. Maybe he isn’t real? He just stepped over from the mirror universe. Maybe nobody is? Repeat to yourself, it’s just a comic strip, I should really just relax. 

Odell Mdrn IPA

 Odell Mdrn IPA.

5.8 % ABV, 30 IBU, Odell Brewing, Ft. Collins, Colorado. 

Oh great, one of those names where vowels are omitted and we’re supposed to provide our own. What the heck is a Modran IPA anyway? Or is it Miodryn? Whatever.

Clear, bright yellow, slim white head.

In the nose: big citrus, largely lemony.

In the mouth: some basic bitterness at first, big bite on the palate. Light bodied, but full-flavored. I thought this would be sweeter/juicier, but I’m happily mistaken. Less malty than a classic IPA, not quite as bitter as a West Coast, considerably easy drinking. Not too shabby there, for a Maudroon IPA, whatever that might be…

Surly Nineteen Birra Forte

 Surly Nineteen Birra Forte. Beer brewed with Cabernet Sauvignon grape juice aged on French oak. 

14 % ABV, Surly Brewing, Twin Cities, MN. 

It is now one year since I purchased this bottle. And it’s also less than one week away from the Surly 20th Anniversary event, and the release of that beer. Enough time has passed to finally drink it, which I remember enjoying at the time. 

Dark, burgundian, absolutely opaque, practically no head. 

In the nose: grape must hits first, a little oakiness comes through. 

In the mouth: ever-so grapey, and ever-so strong. Big, bold, fruity, dense. Yet, ridiculously drinkable, in the sense that wine grapes aged on oak in a beer clocking in at 14% can be drinkable. Yeah, I’ll drink it til it knocks me out. 

Every new sip brings me closer to a new understanding. Every subsequent swallow ushers in an expanded conception. It’s clean and largely tannin-free, grape juice and beer wrapped up in a dream. Now I’m contemplating the label, searching for meanings in scribbles.

Nineteen starts with a strong beer base and a significant amount of cabernet sauvignon juice added during fermentation. It then ages on Creative Oak’s Jupilles Fleur squares, which impart fresh floral and fruit notes along with its signature French oak flavor. The result is a beer/wine hybrid that lands in the red/rose neighborhood in both strength and character. 

Beer Club Brewing Doppelbock

 Beer Club Brewing Doppelbock. 

8% ABV, 21 IBU, Beer Club Brewing, Mora, MN. 

Murky, auburn hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: deeply malty, highly caramel-y, just short of sweet. 

In the mouth: slightly hoppy, major caramel malt. Sweet, succulent, full-bodied and delicious. Delectable. 

In other words, not too shabby there. 

Ol’ George #84: Like Sonny

 Ol’ George #84: Like Sonny

Notes on #84:

1. Somehow, I was always meant to love jazz. It’s hard to discover it growing up in the suburbs in the 70’s and 80’s, but I enjoyed anything jazz-like that I heard on the radio, like Sonny Rollins’ solo on the Rolling Stones’ record “Waiting on a Friend “ in 1981. I didn’t really get into Sonny until I went full-on into jazz in my early twenties, but the connection was swift and deep and permanent. 

When he passed away a few weeks ago, I knew I had to do a tribute and dusted off an old “hep cat” idea. I had to reference this genius, but which era? Late-life white Afro? Late ‘60’s Mohawk? Full beard? 

And I decided that my depiction of the Saxophone Colossus would be ink & brush with watercolor, while the rest of the strip would be the usual felt tip pen & colored pencil. These are skills that I am not a master of, but I did it and live with the mistakes. That’s supremely important. 

Sonny was a perfectionist in an improvised medium. How does that work? He was always finding something to say in the moment. It was never perfect…there is no perfect…but it was genius on call. Every sound from his horn was surprising. This is why I pity those who don’t enjoy jazz. So much popular music is formulaic and repetitive. Give in to spontaneous joy!

We listen to 50, 60, 70+ year old recordings and hear a man making sounds that you never heard before and neither did he. 

2. When I first conceived George, I had this litany of characteristics and it all leaned toward the curmudgeonly. A strip like this shows him at his happiest. He’s vocalizing along with Sonny’s great calypso number from Saxophone Colossus (1956), St. Thomas, and I have to say that if you hear that recording and neither move nor groove, well, I have to wonder about you. It should inspire a second line parade every time it is heard. 

3. In 2001, I took custody of a cat for the first time in my life and I called her Hepzibah, after the French skunk in Walt Kelly’s Pogo. Next up was a shy little girl black cat that I named Naima, after John Coltrane’s tune. A 4-year old ginger sweetie stepped into my life next and he was named Rollie Boy. Some years later, his doppelgänger walked into my world and was dubbed Sonny Boy and for years I had both Sonny and Rollie in tribute to my favorite tenor saxophonist. 

4. I have one more thing to say: listen to Sonny. 

MetroNome RetroNome West Coast IPA

 Metronome RetroNome West Coast IPA. 

6 % ABV, MetroNome Brewing, St. Paul, MN. 

Clear, golden hued, lush, long lasting ivory head.

In the nose: super citric, hyper piney. Vastly aromatic. Beautiful. Pitch perfect. 

In the mouth: blast of alpha acids upon the palate, but at the same time, perfectly balanced. Dry and bitter. Grips the very canyons of the senses. Mouth quenchingly refreshing….for the hophead. Read that as Obi Wan when he says “from a certain point of view”, in ROTJ.   I find this this refreshing and balanced as a hophead. 

Loads of citrus and plenty of pine, light bodied, but fully flavored. One of the best locally brewed West Coast IPAs I have had in a very long time. Can’t wait til I can buy a 4-pack. And thanks to Bill for the sample!

In this can is a duet of fermentation and music-a harmony for a greater good-with a portion of profits providing music education for underprivileged youth in the Twin Cities. So, drink up, hear what beer can do. 

Hammerheart Li’l Hesty Session India Pale Ale

 Hammerheart Li’l Hesty Session India Pale Ale.

5.5 % ABV, Hammerheart Brewing, Ely, Minnesota. 

Almost clear (chill haze), amber/orange coloring, slim, lasting head. 

In the nose: big citrus, tangerine and marmalade. Orange and grapefruit. Slightest smoke (some may contend.) 

In the mouth: bitterness begins, riding over a mound of malt. Citrusy delights abound. Altogether smooth, easy, highly likable. And do I detect a hint of Juniper? Perhaps, I think. 

Arbeiter Maibock Helles Bock Lager

 Arbeiter Maibock Helles Bock Lager.

6.6 % ABV, 33 IBU, Arbeiter Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Clear, bright golden, large and lasting ivory head. 

In the nose: beautiful, floral hop notes with generous malty esters.

In the mouth: nice little blast of bitterness, but mostly sweet and malty. Medium bodied, easy drinking, complex flavors, utterly enjoyable. Flat out delicious. Maibock at its finest. If only the season lasted longer! 

Dangerous Man Cream Ale

 Dangerous Man Cream Ale.

5.2 % ABV, 20 IBU, Dangerous Man Brewing, Maple Lake, Minnesota. 

Clear, golden hued, slim white head. 

In the nose: malty, grainy, typical cream ale aroma. 

In the mouth: slightly sweet and super smooth. Malt driven with no hops beyond for balance. Crisp and clean, as they say. Good example of a style I’m glad exists but I don’t particularly care for. 

Sierra Nevada Rye Torpedo Rye IPA

 Sierra Nevada Rye Torpedo Rye IPA. 

6.2% ABV, 55 IBU, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Chico, California. (Or Mills River, North Carolina?)

Light chill haze, deep orange color, slim white head.

In the nose: citrus, blended with rye malt, like an orange/cookie combo.

In the mouth: peppery, slightly spicy, washed over with a wave of citrus. Nice and hoppy. Beautifully bitter. Medium bodied. Continues to treat the palate all the way through. 

Bold hop flavor and full-bodied malt combine in this IPA, inspired by our classic Torpedo but brewed with rye malt.

MALTS C-60, Munich, Rye, Two-row Pale

HOPS Chinook

YEAST Ale

Ol’ George #83:

 Ol’ George #83.

Notes:

1. When I paid tribute to “Star Wars” in #77 with the appearance of some cantina denizens and to “The Empire Strikes Back” in #80 with a Yoda (and Baby Yoda) cameo, I knew the next step to conclude our trilogy would be to bring in some “Return of the Jedi” characters for #83. Were there Jawas in “Jedi”, lurking around Jabba’s palace? Maybe. Do I have to go watch that scene for the 5000th time to find out for sure? Go ahead, twist my arm!

2. It kind of looks like Ewok #2 is having a Monster energy drink, doesn’t it? That wasn’t my intention. I just wanted to make an alien-looking can design and that’s what I came up with…now I can’t unsee it!

3. Why is George urging Irma to call Animal Control on this intergalactic menagerie? Isn’t he an animal? Well, no, anthropomorphic cats exist in the classification between man and animal, both at once, while never neither. That doesn’t make sense, right? Good. 

Back Channel Minne Matsui Japanese Rice Lager

 Back Channel Minne Matsui Japanese Rice Lager.

5% ABV, Back Channel Brewing, Spring Park, Minnesota. 

A Japanese rice lager is not the type of beer that I would purchase with my own money. But, I didn’t buy this when my own money. Let’s use this opportunity to discover why, exactly, this style is not for me. 

Clear, pale yellow, no head. 

In the nose: grainy, tepid. 

In the mouth: more grain, hardly any hops, no finish, little body. Refreshing? Sure. But it contains few of the things I turn to beer for.

I will accept a free can of Japanese rice lager if offered one, but I won’t take notes on another. Not gonna lie, as  the kids say, it ain’t for me. 

Pryes Bock Maibock

 PryesBock Maibock. 

6.3 % ABV, 29 IBU, Pryes Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Clear, brilliant golden, slim white head.

In the nose: malty sweet, grainy, utterly lovely. 

In the mouth: smooth and supple, with the merest amount of grit. Clean, nearly crisp, and bursting with malty goodness. Long, rewarding finish. Beautiful beer. 

I enjoyed this from a sample can, while watching it fly off the shelves. Next year, I’ll buy a few more to enjoy all the longer. 

Our take on a Maibock – a traditional German, welcome-to-spring malty beer – PryesBock is a sign of the changing seasons and a reminder of the warmth to come. This balanced beer is crisp like a buttered biscuit. Bring on the spring awakening with PryesBock! 

Fair State Rad Bod

 Fair State Rad Bod Lemon Tea Golden Ale. 

4.5 % ABV, Ale with lemon and tea flavors. Fair State Brewing, St. Paul, MN. 

It says “golden ale” on the front, kölsch on the back, and its name is a pun on “radler.” So, which is it? It is also, I believe, the first new release from the new Fair State. 

Clouded and yellow, slim white head. 

In the nose: big time lemon and not much else. 

In the mouth: lemon. Tea. Got it. And some manner of light ale below. Smooth and refreshing. Patio pounder, for sure. It may too early for this one. I’ll check back in July. 

Fine enough, but I’ve never really been into lemon. 

This crisp and crushable kölsch ale is infused with lemonade and black tea – just like a classic cocktail by that one arnie guy. This golden crusher is made for the first swing to the 19th hole, whether you’re on the green or in the rough.

Finnegans Irish Cream Ale

 Finnegans Irish Cream Ale.

5.5 % ABV, brewed and packaged by Fulton Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Clear, golden hued, slim layer of ivory froth.

In the nose: malty, vanilla, few hops. “Creamy”?

In the mouth: smooth and slightly delicious. Balanced, easy going, quite consumable. And ever-so creamy. Just enough sweetness. Just enough bitter. 

Go out and get some…if you’re into that kind of thing. 

Falling Knife Prime Acre West Coast IPA

 Falling Knife Prime Acre West Coast IPA. 

7.3 % ABV, Falling Knife Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Clear, golden hued, slim white head. 

In the nose: citrus and pine a’poppin’. 

In the mouth: dry, bitter, so far, so good. Citrus flavors shine on the palate, bright and beautiful. Refreshingly quenching. Lays long into the finish. Medium bodied. Definitely delightful. 

BeerClub Brewing Anvil Accident IPA

 BeerClub Brewing Anvil Accident IPA. 7% ABV. 

BeerClub Brewing, Mora, Minnesota. 

A few weeks back, Jason and I took a little trip, saw some breweries, had some beers. There were varying levels of quality and  shifting strata of charm at each location, all new to me, but I was especially taken with a little known place in a tiny town about an hour and a half north of my Minneapolis home. All I knew of it was what Jason told me: it was called BeerClub, was founded by homebrewing buddies gone pro, and is up in Mora, right up there near Hinckley, don’t you know. 

I liked it immediately on entering, as we were greeted for the first time that day by anything other than modern country music. Better yet, it was Al Green, and that’s always alright by me. There was quirky original art on the walls, various brewery signs about, and a comfortable, eclectic feeling around. I was enjoying my first pint, an IPA, when I heard a voice from behind saying, “is that Al McCarty?” Well, of course I am, but who’s he?

It was my Ol’ buddy Billy, who I’d known from my time at a certain local brewery, seemingly forever ago. He’s brewing up the beers here, a fact someone might have hipped me to, but I’d all but forgotten. We played a bit of catch up, and I continued to soak the place up, finding something to enjoy in every new beer I tried. 

I took home four cans and a bomber, and here’s where I begin to tell you about them, starting with the first brew I sampled there, the IPA. 

Largely clear, with a thick chill haze, golden orange coloring, large and long lasting ivory head. 

In the nose: showing significant citrus. Pine on the side. Lovely. 

In the mouth: big bitterness, abundant hop flavors. Clearly in the realm of a citrusy American IPA and not shy about it. Bumps and bounces on the palate like it oughta. Long, hoppy finish. Medium bodied and jumping with good Ol’ fashioned flavor. Highly satisfying IPA here, I could easily find this a favorite, were it within reach. 

Ol’ George #82: The Scream

 Ol’ George #82: The Scream

No notes this time. 

Ol’ George #81: Here, Kitty, Kitty

 Ol’ George #81: Here, Kitty, Kitty

Notes on 81: 

1. I really haven’t shown George being a cat all that much. It’s bound to happen. Just don’t expect him to follow stereotypes, that’ll push his buttons. 

2. After I created this nameless character who antagonizes George, I wondered how often that I had drawn a human male without facial hair. So, I made a list. Zippy the Pinhead (#27), who has stubble. Norm from Cheers (#31), but who wants a bearded accountant? Superman (#38), who shaved with heat vision. Zaphod Beeblebrox (#42). Donald Trump (#3 & 51). Batman &Robin (#54). And the other thing they have in common is, I didn’t create them. Then I thought of the weird hallucination in #71 and remembered that I put hairs on his chinny chin chin. I guess I just feel men need facial hair. Sounds like a challenge. Who shall be my first bare faced male character? 

Ol’ George #80: Drink On, He Gets

 Ol’ George #80

Notes on #80:

1. I wanted to do something for Star Wars Day, May the Fourth Be With You, which was yesterday. Also, a few weeks ago, #77 paid homage to the year A New Hope was released. What came out in ‘80? Empire Strikes Back, which is where Yoda comes from. The thing wrote itself. This means that you may see a Return of the Jedi guest appearance in a few weeks. 

2. This has nothing to do with the strip. I took this photo after I placed an early Bad Kitty sticker next to a Yoda/beer sticker on top of a feminine hygiene disposal unit in a restroom at Arbeiter Brewing, last spring. Shortly thereafter, I used the same stall, as I often do, and apparently someone liked the Yoda sticker so much that they peeled it off. I put a Devil Made Me Drink It (another of mine) in the open space. I think that they are both still there. 

Look at that “painting “, though. Is that a can of beer next to Yoda? No, it looks all the world like a Bandwagon THC seltzer from Utepils. Look behind Yoda’s right side, those appear to be more Utepils cans. On the left, I can’t tell. None of it makes much sense. I suspect that this is A.I. 

So, don’t tear off stickers when you can just ask Chat GPT to make your image for you. And head over to OddMart and buy some of my stickers made with my real human hands!