Coronado Bonanza IPA with Mango

 Coronado Bonanza IPA with Mango. 

7.2% ABV, Coronado Brewing, San Diego, California. 

Clear, bright golden hue, large ivory head. 

In the nose: hoppy and juicy in the nose, with a dried fruit, rather than fresh character, not that I mind. Distinctly mango. 

In the mouth: here’s the fresh, with the zesty. Just enough bitterness to qualify it for an IPA. Not too sweet nor juicy, this just works. Lightish bodied, soft and fruity finish. Flush with flavor and quite likable. 

Go big on tropical flavor with Bonanza, an IPA brewed with mango and vibrant hops. This golden, aromatic brew delivers bright citrus notes layered with juicy mango for a smooth, refreshing balance of hop character and fruit forward flavor. Lush, lively, and made for the fresh energy of spring days, Bonanza is an easy ride from the first sip to the last. 

Ol’ George #95: Tragic Dragon

 Ol’ George #95: Tragic Dragon

Notes:

1. When Balonious Funk first appeared in #19, back in March of last year, he was already wearing his Wilting Turnip hat. In #20, he told George about WT and its amazing IPAs. And then his head exploded when George forced him to consider that IPAs may not be the center of everyone’s universe. 75 episodes later, I felt it was time for a second favorite brewery and an expansion in his wardrobe. 

2. The phrase “tragic dragon” came after a long struggle. Once I settled on it,  I had to do my due diligence and found no breweries or beers with that name. Googling revealed nothing but vaqueness. On Spotify, three songs used the phrase, one rock instrumental and two spoofs, playing on the classic folk song “Puff the Magic Dragon.” Get it, magic, tragic, they rhyme. I felt secure that I wasn’t infringing on anyone’s IP.

2. Why does Balonious visit Kelly’s? Does he find enough new beers to satisfy his ticking urges? Or, is it just the comraderie he finds hanging out with George? And what could he have done to get 86’d from Wilting Turnip? A loyal regular such he should deserve some leeway now and then. Must have been particularly egregrious. I have so many questions, and only I can provide the answers. But we may never know, for this is Ol’ George at Kelly’s, not Balonious Funk at Wilting Turnip. 

3. This strip was conceived because I tired of always drawing BF’s Wilting Turnip hat, and came up with a logo that’s incredibly hard to draw so small. Maybe it’ll just say TD next we see him? 

Fair State Sidepull Czech-style Pale Lager

 Fair State Sidepull Czech-style Pale Lager. 

4.1 % ABV, 30 IBU, Fair State Brewing, St. Paul, Minnesota. 

Clear, pale yellow, bright ivory head. 

In the nose: floral, hoppy, lively. 

In the mouth: fresh & zesty, highly hoppy. Light bodied and easy drinking. I mean, crushable. Once this pint has been crushed, I will strut around and crow “crushed it!”

I’m confused, though. First the label copy says to “pour real slow”, then to “pour it hard.” Which is it, slow or hard? When you’re crushing it, everything is hard. 

We brewed this soft, crispy crowd pleaser to be poured real slow. Brewed with all Czech-grown ingredients, this Czech-style pale lager is perfect for its namesake side pull faucet. Pour it hard in a glass for plenty of jiggly foam.

Dogfish Head Chicory Stout

 Dogfish Head Chicory Stout. 

5.2 % ABV, 21 IBU, Dogfish Head Brewery, Milton, Delaware.

Thorough darkness, utterly black, lush cocoa-tinged head.

In the nose: nutty, creamy, slight roast. Nice. 

In the mouth: full-bodied, rich, smooth. So smooth. Super smooth. Creamy, nutty, slightly spicy. Touch of sweetness. Lightly bitter. This I can dig. 

A dark beer made with a touch of roasted chicory, organic Mexican coffee, St. John's Wort, and licorice root. Brewed with whole-leaf Cascade and Fuggles hops, the grains include pale, roasted & oatmeal.

Back Channel Jagr Czech Pilsner

 Back Channel Jagr Czech Pilsner.

5.3% ABV, Back Channel Brewing, Spring Lake Park, Minnesota. 

Clear, light golden hue, bright ivory head. 

In the nose: fresh, floral, hoppy. Nicely spicy.

In the mouth: light-bodied, smooth, easy drinking. All those things. There’s some character here and some malty flavor, and I don’t dislike it, but I’m not about to turn into a lager lover any time soon. 

Oh, wait. I just found out that this beer is “crushable.” That changes everything. 

Actually, it’s not too shabby there, and I’d drink another if I had to. 

Ol’ George #94/Fine Art Funnies #4: The Kiss

 Ol’ George #94/Fine Art Funnies #4: The Kiss

Notes: Fine Art Funnies has appeared every six episodes since it began in #76. It will continue as long as I can think of them. The next one will be in OG #100. What will it be? (I know, but I won’t tell.)

2. This is a hell of a painting and incredibly hard to reproduce. Be gentle with me, I did the best I could. 

Barrel Theory Dark Helmet Schwarzbier

 Barrel Theory Dark Helmet Schwarzbier.

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

Complete darkness, none more black, thorough opacity, slim brown ring. 

In the nose: largely malty, cocoa aplenty with a hit of coffee. Mild hops. 

In the mouth: rich and roasty, clean and malt-forward. Hoppy, but not quite bitter. Smooth and delicious. May the Schwarz bier with you! 

Hammerheart Imperial Longship 2026

 Hammerheart Imperial Longship 2026. Wee Heavy/Scotch Ale.

11.5 % ABV, Hammerheart Brewing, Ely,MN.

Solid darkness, slim brown head. 

In the nose: deep barrel, utter richness, molasses and vanilla, incredible depth. 

In the mouth: malty to the max. Hugeness incarnate. I want to go back in time and buy another 4-pack before they sold out. To last and last. Ah, to dream. Big blackstrap, maximum oak, traces of vanilla, and not quite as much smoke as you’d expect for a Hammerheart beer. Rich and delicious. Approaching a BBA RIS, And yet not, quite. This is the Hammerheart way. I have spoken. 

Bell’s Citrus HopSlam Double IPA

 Bell’s Citrus HopSlam Double IPA. Slammed with citrus hops. 10 % ABV. 

Bell’s Brewery, Comstock, MI. 

Clear, bright golden hue, large and lasting ivory head. 

In the nose: nice and hoppy, citrusy, orange and lemon, twist of grapefruit. Whiff of tangerine.

In the mouth: bold and bitter, bursting with a citrus hop attack, laying long on the palate. Intense blast of pithy, juicy fruit carries through to the finish. Stays just shy of sweetness. Full bodied with increasing alcoholic presence. Right on the money for this DIPA….sorry, I m getting distracted thinking of the first time I ever heard someone say “dippa “ and I had to wonder why they weren’t saying “ippa” for IPA. And now I am writing a new Ol’ George strip. That’s how this works now. 

Anyway, I’m enjoying this. I’m on 4-pack #2. Maybe I’ll even get a third? 

Citrus Hopslam Double IPA from Bell’s Brewery blends Hopslam strength with modern Nectaron and Citra hops, delivering bright citrus, tropical fruit, and classic intensity. A 10% craft beer that celebrates 20 years of hop innovation. Limited time only. Certified B-Corp.

Ol’ George #93

 Ol’ George #93:

Notes on #93: 

1. Yes, I did recently see the latest Tom Holland MCU Spider-Man movie and that inspired me to get Spidey together with George. I was an avid reader of the Spider-Man titles from 1982-1987 and have a special affection for the early years, the issues by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. If I’m trying to produce “relatable” material that everyone can get, why base a joke on one panel from the origin story that no one will remember? I just can’t help myself!

This might be a one-time only reference to “wheat cakes “. The next time they show Aunt May cooking Peter breakfast, they say “pancakes.” I don’t have a ton of references on hand. The only Spider-Man in my library is the Omnibus Volume One, almost 1,100 pages in hardcover! Fifteen or so years, I’m regretting this purchase. Why not 3 or 4 hardcovers in the Marvel Masterworks editions? So, much easier to lift and hold and won’t destroy your shelves!

2. In the Sam Raimi films, Rosemary Harris played the Aunt May part perfectly, looking exactly how Ditko drew her. But, should a teenager really have an aunt who looks 60 years older? It made more sense to switch to Sally Field, then Marisa Tomei. So, here’s to Aunt May, whose breakfasts were just as integral to Peter Parker’s growth as Uncle Ben’s responsibility speech.

3. In comics, no one grows old. Spider-Man has never left his twenties, in 64 years of publication. This strip posits the opposite, that Peter grew up in real time. 2026-1962+15=79! I did the math. 

Arbeiter Pink Jazz Jasmine Tea IPA

 

Arbeiter Pink Jazz Jasmine Tea IPA. 6.8 % ABV. Hops: Pink, Centennial.

Arbeiter Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

I like jazz, and I like IPAs. But how much do I like “pink “? Let’s find out!

Clear, bright golden hue, huge ivory head. 

In the nose: especially floral and pretty. Just lovely.

In the mouth: hop bitterness up front and lingering on the palate. Tea flavor comes on in and takes over and it all comes together. Light bodied, easy drinking. This has enough IPA and enough tea to really work. 

Ol’ George #92: Crush It!

 Ol’ George #92: Crush It

Notes:

1. “Crushable” is one of the worst bits of jargon currently in the beer lexicon. Some idiots started saying it, and we all just agree with them. It looks so moronic on a can label. It’s like the beer world has no clue that it has zero meaning for anyone outside their little bubble. I asked people and they could only guess, “um, because you can crush the can?” 

I’ve had people point out cans and ask me “what does “crispy boi” mean? I usually say, “they’re just trying to be cute.” 

2. Everyone has to brew a sea salt and lime lager these days. Sometimes corn lager, sometimes rice. Because no one really likes craft beer. It was all a fad. We all really want bad, boring beers, with fruit. Let’s shut it down, craft beer is over. 

3. Brand ambassadors need to walk around all day in branded hats and polo shirts. It makes me sad. It’s worse when the polo shirts are salmon colored. 

Firestone Walker pFreal West Coast IPA

Cigar City Jai Alai Double IPA

 Cigar City Jai Alai Double IPA. 

10% ABV, Cigar City Brewing, Tampa, FL. 

Clearish, bright orange, large, lush ivory head. 

In the nose: rich and caramelly, candied fruit, stone fruits (apricot, peach), with a touch of smoke. 

In the mouth: big and bountiful, highly hopped, hugely bitter. Drips delectably down the palate. More stone fruit, ripe and rich, boisterous, blistering, searing…a little on the thick side, but I like this style of DIPA. Bring it on, I say. 

The ultimate IPA for those who crave a bigger and bolder Jai Alai experience using 6 hop varieties

Ol’ George #91

 Ol’ George #91

Notes:

1. If there’s an animal going viral, we’ll find a way to spoof’em. This is a side of the little guy no one’s seen yet.

2. When you need some freaks to populate the bar, naturally you will think of Schlitzie the Pinhead from Tod Browning’s “Freaks”or the cenobites from Clive Barker’s Hellraiser franchise. The instant martians from Chuck Jones’ Marvin the Martian Looney Tunes made sense to me, as did the one you might not know, the guy dressed as, well, a flaming carrot. Flaming Carrot was created by Bob Burden in 1979 and appeared in his own comic, off and on, from 1986 to 2006. He assumed this identity after reading 5000 comic books in one sitting, his true identity never revealed. He is my favorite superhero. 

He is the only one among this crowd to not appear on the silver screen. No, that honor went to Mr.Furious, The Shoveller, and the rest of his teammates from the Mystery Men. 

Sisyphus Mr. Sparkle’s Rice Lager

 Sisyphus Mr. Sparkle’s Rice Lager. 

What am I doing with a rice lager in a crowler? What would possess me to possess such a thing? Doesn’t seem like me, does it? Let’s just say I want to investigate why these are so danged popular…and acknowledge the Simpsons reference. 

Clear, pale yellow, no head. 

In the nose: vacant, vapid, vegetal, grainy.

In the mouth: nothing here, nada, nil, null. Clean, though, but not quite crisp. It’s not bad, but it ain’t much. And there’s the secret: folks going out for a magic or comedy show, they like ‘em easy breezy. Nothing to fuss over, nothing to think about, just a pleasant buzz and you can still drive home.

No shame, I guess. Give the people what they want. 

That's right Fish-Bulb! It's a Japanese Rice Lager - brewed with a good dose or rice and it makes for a super drinkable, refreshing lager that's perfect for digging through the garbage dump and investigating why your face is on a package of laundry detergent.  This is all a Simpson's reference if you didn't know.  

Beer Club Brewing Trip Hammer Tripel

 Beer Club Brewing Trip Hammer Tripel. 

9.5 % ABV, Beer Club Brewing , Mora, MN.

Mostly clear, bright golden color, slim white head. 

In the nose: high spice, big bubblegum, bold citrus. Certainly cardamom. Lovely.

In the mouth: spicy, slightly hoppy, flush with some citrusy fruit flavors, and Belgian yeast character. Bubblegum and candied apricot. Quite uniquely tasty. Just delicious. 

Ol’ George #90

 Ol’ George #90

Notes:

1. We’ve established George as a jazzbo, now meet George with a penchant for country songs about drinking to forget her. Does he have a lost love he’s drinking to forget? Good question. Maybe, someday…

2. There Stands The Glass was a big hit for Webb Pierce in 1953 and was his 5th #1 country hit. 

The Bottle Let Me Down appeared on Merle Haggard’s 1966 album Swinging Doors and reached #3 on the country charts. 

There’s A Tear In My Beer was written by Hank Williams around 1950, but his version was never heard until synced up with his son almost four decades later, because you know, can’t talk about drinking. 

Bubbles in My Beer is a classic Western swing hit from 1947 by Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys.

If Drinking Don’t Kill Me (Her Memory Will) was recorded by George Jones in 1981 and sparks the debate: is it more depressing than He Stopped Loving Her Today? 

3. These are all songs that I have performed at Karaoke, mostly at Acadia, maybe some at Morrissey’s pub. I’ve got to mix it up, been staying with the yacht rock a bit too much. No one’s doing the classic country. Just you watch, I’ll bring it back. 

Falling Knife Ancient Old Painless Bourbon Barrel Aged English Barleywine

 Falling Knife Ancient Old Painless Bourbon Barrel Aged English Barleywine.

14.3 % ABV, Falling Knife brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Murky, burgundy hue, slim to no head. 

So, I bought this today and am drinking it tonight. It only came out a few weeks ago. Why the rush? I finished an Ol’ George strip where the Imp inside him escapes after nine barleywines, and two, it’s my 58th birthday, so, why not? 

In the nose: vanilla, caramel, oak and smoke. Little bit of leather. 

In the mouth: big time caramel, dark malt, rich nougat, smoke, sugar, maple, depth, heat, all manner of barleywinishness. Damn, this is the absolute end. 

Didja like it it, though? Yeah, yeah, I did. Can’t you tell? The ultimate nightcap. Me go sleepy now, no need for booze. Worth $10 a 16 ounce can? Let’s just say yes and go to bed. 

Lagunitas Trooper West Coast IPA

 Lagunitas Trooper West Coast IPA.

6.6 % ABV, Lagunitas Brewing, Petaluma, CA, since 1993. 

Clear, bright golden hue, slim white head. 

In the nose: big time pine and citrus, but teasing toward the tropical. Beautifully hoppy. 

In the mouth: bright, lush and bitter. Very dry, despite that tropical I detected in the nose, fearing an error in yet another so-called West Coast. This one nails it. Light bodied and delicious. 

 Leaning into what’s loud with something new – it smells like someone cracked open a bag of fresh hops and didn’t bother closing it. Built around Krush hops, it’s full-bodied by design. Think waves of grapefruit, resin, and unmistakable dankness. A little extra umph at 6.6% with a confident bitterness (and zero interest in dialing it back). LEGENDARY. LOUD. UNMISTAKABLY WEST COAST IPA.
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