Ol’ George #88: LobsterPhone

 Ol’ George #88: LobsterPhone

Notes:

1. In 1936, Salvador Dali created 11 lobsterphones with his English patron Edward James. Almost all are in museums now, except one at Kelly’s Bar & Grill, wherever that is. 

2.  So, George is holding a beer called Dali’s Beer. Dali probably didn’t drink beer. Spain doesn’t make a lot of beer. He was probably a wine guy. I was thinking of the Captain Beefheart instrumental “Dali’s Car” from Trout Mask Replica (1969, an album I greatly treasure.) And as I looked it up, I realized I’d forgotten about the 80’s band Dali’s Car, from some ex-members of goth bands. The album is called Dali’s Car, and there’s a song called Dali’s Car, which sounds nothing like Captain Beefheart, or suggests surrealism in any way. Also, the album cover is by Maxfield Parrish, who is nearly anti-Dali. Further down the Spotify rabbit hole, there was apparently a song from a late 80’s Thompson Twins record, long after they left my record collection, called “Salvador Dali’s Car”, which is one of the least surreal tracks you could ask for. Why the connection with the car? He wasn’t known for any car. Never painted one, that I know of ….Are these musical artists riffing on Beefheart’s title, omitting any of the ramshackle off-kilter atonal surrealistic blues? I mean, he’s known for melting watches, elephants on stilts, and Mae West, not cars. All I know for sure is that most pop music is terrible, and goth music doubly so. 

3. I haven’t found a lot of pictures of Dali in color. Why not? After I picked what colors to dress him in, I realized he looked like he was guest starring on Miami Vice. Too late, it’s done. 

The Bitter Nib for Sale!!!

 Quick biographical update: this blog began in 2007 as a depository for sketches and artistic ideas, and it did not last very long as such, only a couple of years. I was disappointed by my efforts and received little positive feedback, even from those who I thought were earnestly in my corner. Almost 16 years ago, I turned it into a beer review blog, steering my direction away from beeradvocate and ratebeer. (How many people from those sites wonder where I went? At least a few, I’d bet.) 

Many people only know me from the bartending, bar manager, beer reviewing aspect of my life from those years, when I was artistically dormant. How I wish I could turn back the clock and whisper to my younger self, “don’t give up, you are good, you are unique!” What if I was drawing Ol’ George while working at the Blue Nile or during the time of Harriet Brewing? Nope, that was during the time of no artistic creativity , of only suggesting that I May return to it one day, after all, I’m not dead yet…

It was in 2022 that I started sketching more and declared that I would find my way, and two years later I came up with the Ol’ George strip, which I’m still trying to find an audience for, but I don’t care, I won’t give up. 

Almost two years after that, I’m close to 100 strips. After that landmark, I intend to take the pressure off and release myself from the need to one a week. Spend more time on more art projects. But the strip will definitely continue, in many ways. I don’t want to just be that guy who used to run a couple of beer bars, that one obsessive beer blogger, etc. Yeah, I want people to see the cartoonist in me. 

Which brings me to remind you that this blog has never asked for money, ever. No ads. All from my love of chasing after good, high quality, craft beer. It don’t come free! Now that I’m not bartending (it’s been six years), the cash to fund expeditions and purchase’s isn’t there. 

But …what if? You bought stuff from me? That would be cool, right? You get something, I get something…cool, right? 

We’re starting with stickers. Buy them on Ko-fi.com/thebitternib. Six available to start, more to come. If you’ve ever appreciated what I’ve been doing for nearly two decades, consider purchasing these. You can pay more than the suggested amount or add extra if you want. There are more options coming, as well as t-shirts, hats, etc., from a different site. 

Hey, you know what would would be great? Buy several, take some to your favorite taproom or watering hole, stick ‘em where stickering is welcome, give them to the bar staff, let word of Ol’ George grow. I mean, I’ve been calling him America’s favorite beer drinking cartoon cat for a while now, it’s time to make that promise a reality. 

Sierra Nevada Dual Torpedo Double Dry-hopped DIPA

 Sierra Nevada Dual Torpedo Double Dry-hopped DIPA.

8.2 % ABV, 45 IBU, Sierra Nevada Brewing, Chico, CA. 

Clear, bright golden hue, large and lace-leaving head. 

In the nose: big time pine and citrus, while slightly sweet and tropical. Tangerine and mango.Vastly aromatic. 

In the mouth: fresh and zesty, supremely hoppy, but moderately bitter. Alcohol rises up and it all falls into place. And I’m liking it more and more. 

Blasted with a double dose of hops, Dual Torpedo DIPA packs bold notes of pine and citrus.

MALTS: C-15, Two-row Pale, Wheat

HOPS: CTZ, Idaho 7, Simcoe

YEAST: Ale

Ol’ George # 87

 Ol’ George # 87

Notes on #87:

1. Nah. You either get it or you’re left scratching your skull. What’s really going on? I’ll never tell if I ever knew. 

Ol’ George #86

 Ol’ George #86:

1: 

I told you that these would get a little weird sometimes. They just enter my brain and I have to get them out. These concepts just might go further. Get ready. 

Steel Toe Pack the Patio Porter

 Steel Toe Pack the Patio Porter. 

Steel Toe Brewing, St. Louis Park, Minnesota. 

Dark brown, nearly black, slim cocoa collar of foam, thoroughly opaque.

In the nose: roasted malts, slight caramel notes. Right on for style.

In the mouth: roasty and smooth, medium bodied, malty, easy drinking. Rich and delicious. Guess what, you can drink dark beers in summer, even on the patio. 

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. (Although at Untappd, it seems that anyone checking in to Fat Cat since 2018 is doing so mistakenly. Lazy checker/inners.)

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.