Ol’ George #62: The Sign Part 5

 Ol’ George #62: The Sign Part 5

Notes on #62:

1. Maybe you’ve figured it out already, but here’s where we start to see where this storyline is heading. More to come…

Stiegl Sonnenkönig V Imperial Russian Stout Barrel Aged 2018

 Stiegl Sonnenkönig V Imperial Russian Stout Barrel Aged 2018. 50% beer and 50%  beer aged in cherry schnapps barrels. 

9.2 % ABV, 22 IBU, stieglbrauerei zu Salzburg, brewed and bottled in Austria. 

Solid ebony, slim, brown head, full opacity.

In the nose: deep and rich, dark fruits, plums and raisins, ash and smoke, cocoa and coffee. 

In the mouth: plummier, prunier, dark, fruity, funky. Full-bodied, rich and delicious. It’s that cherry schnapps barrel aging coming through. Something I’ve definitely never had before. Slightly tart, but never sour. A touch of tannin. Great balance between sweet and bitter. Elements of both at play. Thoroughly unique and actually delicious. 

Ein mächtiges Russian Imperial Stout ist Fundament des über mehrere Monate im Kirschwasser-Eschenfass gelagerten „Sonnenkönig V.“. Schwarz wie die Nacht beeindruckt das ausladende Bier mit markanten Röstnoten, die aber doch auch Weichseltönen und Holznuancen Raum lassen. Die Erinnerungen an reifen Burgunder kommen nicht von ungefähr, bietet sich Nase und Gaumen doch eine Aromenlandschaft von dunklem Steinobst, Kaffee und schließlich zarten Balsamiconoten. Gemeinsam mit dem alkoholischen Körper tanzen sie den langen letzten Tanz einer majestätischen Ballnacht.

Ol’ George # 61: Santa’s Gonna Be Here

 Ol’ George # 61: Santa’s Gonna Be Here.

Notes on #61: 

1. Tom Waits and Santa Claus both appeared originally last December, in episodes 7 and 9, respectively. Will this be a recurring thing, these two teaming up every holiday? Wouldn’t that be something?

2. I can’t even remember how I came up with this one, though it was only a few days ago. It all came together quite naturally, I assure you. “Jesus Gonna Be Here “ first appeared on Tom Waits’ 1992 album “Bone Machine “. Thirty-three years is enough time for everyone to get around to hearing the record, I think. I’ve only done it once at karaoke. I should do it every night and be known as that one guy who does that one Tom Waits song, instead of what I am, which is the Guy Who’s Done Over 800 songs, most of which no one knows because they’re all from the 60’s and 70’s. 

3. This is a bit of a tribute to Rogue Ales, once upon a time a major force in brewing, now done.  The first beer George is drinking is a Rogue Santa’s Private Reserve, which I was drinking when I started drawing this one. This year’s version, anyway. The label’s get  a bit more abstract as it goes on. 

Lupulin West Coast Bliss West Coast Style Double India Pale Ale

 

Lupulin West Coast Bliss West Coast Style Double India Pale Ale.

9% ABV, Lupulin Brewing, Big Lake, Minnesota. 

Clear, bright golden hue, lovely layer of ivory froth.

In the nose: big citrus, with creeping onset of tropical tones. 

In the mouth: soft and peachy, with a bitter buzz beneath. Bitterness crawls up and dominates, with ABV coming after. Getting a panoply of flavors now, grapefruit, lemon, pineapple, a flash of pine. Full bodied, fully flavored, giving up the goods. 

Complaint, though: still not dry and bitter enough. Nice try, though. Signed, the picky West Coast IPA fanatic east of the Pecos. 

Born from the same recipe that built Blissful Ignorance, this evolution trades haze for clarity and softness for bite. Mosaic and Citra still shine with tropical fruit and citrus, while Chinook Abstrax and Simcoe Hyperboost bring resinous pine, bright grapefruit, and a crisp finish. Same Bliss, different coast.

Einstök Ölgerö Toasted Porter

 Einstök Ölgerö Toasted Porter.

6% ABV, Einstök Ölgerö, Aukereyrarbaer, Iceland. 

Is the my first Icelandic beer, ever?

Impenetrable, dark brown, toasted tan head. 

In the nose: soft, creamy, malty. Right on the money. 

In the mouth: all the goods are here. Toast and roast, some cocoa, some coffee, rich malt, but never too heavy. Not really robust, more in a brown porter style, easily gulpable. 

Quite nice, this. 

Aromatic coffee from Kaffibrennsla Akureyrar subtly bands together with toasted malt undertones in our Baltic Porter. While dark in color, this classical version of a lagered porter has a medium mouthfeel and dark chocolate notes that result in a smooth on the palate, easy-to-drink brew you'll want to face again and again.

Ol’ George #60: Stupid Sexy Flanders

 Ol’ George #60: stupid sexy Flanders 

Notes on No. 60: 

1. This is one of those strips you may not get if you’ve never shopped the Belgian section of your local liquor store. But, you can “get it” if you understand that George is a cat, and a cat, cartoon or otherwise, will always obey its biological imperative. Who this woman is and why she holds a bird is a mystery I still haven’t uncovered, and I’ve tried. If anyone knows, clue me in. 

2. It just hit me, that I have a sign with a Simpsons reference and a beer style that has inspired many Simpsons references. My favorite was Stupid Sexy Flanders from Fair State. 

I almost did another Bad Kitty sign, but I’m keeping those only to entries in the Saga of the Sign storyline. Number 5 is coming up soon. 

Surly West 1792 Bourbon Barrel aged Doppelbock

 

Surly West 1792 Bourbon Barrel aged Doppelbock.

12% ABV, Surly Brewing, Twin Cities, Minnesota. 

Clouded, deep mahogany hued, utterly opaque, under a slim whitish head.

In the nose: caramel and toffee, vanilla and oak. Hints of cocoa. 

In the mouth: rich, complex, full of malty wonders. Natural flavors of the doppelbock trade time with the sensations of the barrel aging. It all comes together in a wonderfully warming way. Brown sugar and roasted/toasted malt plus vanilla and a comfortable warm of oak and maple. Yum a dum dum. 

Final release in the Bottle Project Compass Series. West takes Surly's Doppelbock (if you attended SurlyFest or Darkness Day, you may have tasted this beauty) and ages it in 1792 Bourbon barrels. The beer's rich, malty character is aided and abetted by the oak and caramel notes of the barrel and its former occupant.

BlackStack Focus Group: Krush

BlackStack Focus Group: Krush. Single Hop West Coast Style IPA. 

7.1 % ABV, BlackStack Brewing, St. Paul, Minnesota.

Clear, bright golden hue, large ivory head. 

In the nose: bold and fruity, pineapple and papaya. Very tropical, with a whiff of dank.

In the mouth:  brash and bitter, on the tongue and on the palate. Aspirin-like astringency leans hard. Light bodied and easy drinking. Some citrus coming around, a prickle of pine. Aroma threw a curve, but we’re getting something close enough to a West Coast IPA that I’m fairly satisfied. 

Not too shabby there. 

Before we get to the beer, I just need to get your opinion on a couple of things. Focusing all of our attentions on Krush Hops, formerly know as Experimental HBC 586. Can I get a show of hands on who's ready to KRUSH one of these bad boys? 

Ol’ George # 59: Bad Bunny

 

Ol’ George # 59: Bad Bunny.

Notes on #59:

1. Horatio is based on a painting by my friend Winona. He’s a lot cuter in her version. 

2. Why does Irma tease the rabbit? It’s not that they’re predators/prey, as is the case with cats vs. rodents. Maybe some of George’s smart- assery rubs off on her? 

3. It’s crazy how many carrot cake beers are out there. Imperial milk stout, pastry sour, brown ale, kölsch, cream ale, barley wine, and, yes, imperial pastry stout. I can’t find any cabbage beers, though. A bunch of beers called “Jazz Cabbage”, where’s that come from? 

4. Was there enough time between panels two and three for Irma to mix that martini, or was it always waiting there beneath the bar, like on every tv show or comedy sketch? 

5. Gavin, two weeks in a row? Hey, why not. He won’t take over. He’s no Fonzie. Might be a bit of an Urkek, though. 

Brasserie Au Baron Cuvée de Jonquilles French Farmhouse Ale

 

Brasserie Au Baron Cuvée de Jonquilles French Farmhouse Ale. Bottle conditioned, unfiltered. 

7 % ABV, 30 IBU, Brasserie du Baron, FRANCE. 

Clear, straw color, frothy, lace-leaving ivory head. 

In the nose: garden fresh! Ever so slightly sour, overall funky. Somewhat citric. Enticing and inviting. 

In the mouth: horse blanket meets the garden grove. All dandeliony up in here and all over the palate. Several layers of funky fresh. Pretty damned delicious. Lovely texture. It’s that special kind of yum a dum dum. Lemony and floral, just a touch of bitter, and all kinds of enjoyable. 

La plus connue de nos bières. La cuvée des jonquilles c'est tout le bocage de l'Avesnois dans une bouteille! Dorée comme le blé! Parfumée comme le foin! C'est elle qu'il vous faut avoir toujours au frais lorsque les copains débarquent à la maison

 La blonde Cuvée des Jonquilles arbore une robe dorée pâle légèrement trouble. Un palais très rafraichissant et digeste, des arômes portés à la fois sur l'agrume et le floral. l'amertume est à la fois subtile et sophistiquée, soutenue par la levure.

levure: Au Baron

malt: Pilsen

houblons: strisselspaltz, hallertau, brewersgold

Castle Danger Fresh Hop ‘25

 Castle Danger Fresh Hop ‘25 Fresh Hop India Pale Ale. 6.5 % ABV, Castle Danger Brewing, Two Harbors, Minnesota. 

Clear (with slight chill haze), bright golden hue, fine ivory froth atop.

In the nose: berries, berries, berries! Straw-, blue-, even a little bit rasp-. Faint citrus on the side. 

In the mouth: all those berries are having a party on the palate. Refreshingly fresh and tasty, with no exaggerated bitterness. Some, but not a ton. Not anything like what I anticipate from a fresh hop IPA. But I like it for what it is. Got to applaud a brew that breaks away from the norm. 

The 2025 Fresh Hop IPA is brewed with farm fresh PINK (ID-158) hops from the fine folks at Jackson Hop Farms in Wilder, Idaho. Fresh hopped beers use hops in their purest form; never processed, never kilned.

PINK hops showcase notes of citrus, strawberry, honey, and peach. Enjoy this true seasonal beer just weeks after the fall hop harvest!

Arbeiter Quatre Benriach Peated Scotch Barrel-aged Belgian Quad

 Arbeiter Quatre Benriach Peated Scotch Barrel-aged Belgian Quad. 

10.4 % ABV, Arbeiter Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Dark mahogany hued, opaque, tight ring of beige foam above. 

In the nose: dizzyingly complex. We get the rich, malty aromatics of a Belgian quadrupel at the core, but do much more enters the mix. Getting the whisky and the pear, but the quad character stands in command. 

In the mouth: thick, full, rich and fulfilling. Quite a mouthfeel. Sweet and strong, notes of cherries, berries, fig, date, a beautiful blend. Where does the barrel end its magic and the original beer emerge triumphant? There’s plenty of Scotch barrel work here, but the Quad is clearly king. 

This is the perfect nightcap for the evening. A cold, hard week of coming to terms with the fact that winter is not taking it easy on us this year. You can easily lose yourself in this, relax and indulge. I will not let it bother me tonight. 

Hammerheart Tugtvann Dark Lager (Bayerøl)

 Hammerheart Tugtvann Dark Lager (Bayerøl).

8.3% ABV, Hammerheart Brewing, Ely, MN. 

Clear, light brown/copper color, slim off-white head. 

In the nose: sweet, smoky, malty. Caramel & smoke.

In the mouth: impeccably smooth and delicious. Plenty malty, light bodied and expertly drinkable. Now, the high ABV rings in, so I ought to slow ‘er down a bit. 

Tasty little Norwegian Dunkel. 

With this Bayerøl, the Norwegian take on German Dunkel, we raise a toast to the Norwegian resistance who stood up against fascism. May their spirit live on in us. SKÅL!

Victory Storm King Imperial Stout

 Victory Storm King Imperial Stout.

Here’s one I go way back with, way, way back. I haven’t seen it in a very long time, and never in cans. I probably took my first notes on it well over 20 years ago but I’m not going to dig those up, instead I’ll write fresh ones from fresh cans. I bought 2 6-packs and saved can #12 for just this purpose. 

9.1 % ABV, Victory Brewing, Downington, PA. 

Thoroughly black appearance, absolutely opaque, tan head, leaving lace. 

In the nose: chocolate, caramel, toffee. Anise and ash. Rich Corinthian leather. Mahogany bound hardcover books. Basically, Ricardo Montanan’s study. 

In the mouth: Full, thick, viscous. Bitter, malty, hoppy and flush with flavor. Malt bomb, da bomb, boom goes the dynamite. Tobacco and smoke. Fudge and ash. Touch of dark fruit. Figs and cherries, all this and more. Some of these in a minor key, some in a high-blown tone, but it all comes together as one of the OG Big Bad Daddies. 

A thundering hop presence collides with massive espresso and dark chocolate flavors in our dense and full-bodied imperial.

HeadFlyer Vanilla Bean Porter

 HeadFlyer Vanilla Bean Porter.

5.8 % ABV, 28 IBU, HeadFlyer Brewing, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

Mostly opaque, dark brown color, slim tan head. 

In the nose: roasted malt, coffee and cocoa, plus the onset of sweet vanilla. 

In the mouth: starts dry, roasty/toasty, and bittersweet. Coffee flavors dominate, more dry and bittersweet character takes command. Full bodied, robust, with a long-lasting, chocolatey finish. Vanilla flavor is here, but subtle, not dominant in the slightest. 

And I man enjoying this quite a bit. Good old regular porter with a touch of vanilla. 

This is a dark porter that has a complex body of roasted malts and has a creamy finish with a hint of vanilla.

Ol’ George #58: The Sign Part 4 (Nuts to You #2)

Ol’ George #58: The Sign Part 4 (Nuts to You #2).

Notes on #58:

1. When Gavin appeared for the first time a couple months ago in #47, I said that I liked him, mainly for the outfit I created for him. But, he doesn’t really seem like a great drinking buddy, does he? At least, not for George. Irma sure is sick of his shit. George has the same expression as in that initial encounter, poor guy, just wants to be friends with a squirrel. What’s so wrong about that? There will be more about this. 

2. I also said that The Saga of the Sign would be a 4-parter. I estimate at least seven, maybe eight.?