Category: News

Netflix will soon increase its library of original comic-book adaptation series, including Mark Millar’s Jupiter’s Legacy arriving on May 7. Well, there’s another intriguing adaptation that won’t be too far behind, and that would be Sweet Tooth, which will bring the DC comic book series (by Jeff Lemire and under the Vertigo imprint) to life on the small screen. As the title suggests, this show’s a real treat and will not only bring a lush and adventurous tale to your living room, but it will also make you want to gobble up its characters. In addition, Robert Downey Jr. and Susan Downey are two of the executive producers here, which is only one of the details to inspire confidence.

Now onto the subject matter of the story. The comic book, which ran from 2009 to 2013, revolves around “hybrids” (part human and part animal babies) who mysteriously begin to surface, and the tale’s also a hybrid treat that’s been described as “Mad Max Meets Bambi” in the nerdiest of circles. The show is full of lush scenery and is gorgeous to look at, and it also might help inspire you to have renewed faith in humanity. In 2021, we sure need that kind of outlook. From the synopsis:

Ten years ago “The Great Crumble” wreaked havoc on the world and led to the mysterious emergence of hybrids — babies born part human, part animal. Unsure if hybrids are the cause or result of the virus, many humans fear and hunt them. After a decade of living safely in his secluded forest home, a sheltered hybrid deer-boy named Gus (Christian Convery) unexpectedly befriends a wandering loner named Jepperd (Nonso Anozie). Together they set out on an extraordinary adventure across what’s left of America in search of answers — about Gus’ origins, Jepperd’s past, and the true meaning of home. But their story is full of unexpected allies and enemies, and Gus quickly learns the lush, dangerous world outside the forest is more complex than he ever could have imagined

Something else that’s awesome: Will Forte stars as Gus’ dad, and James Brolin narrates. Sweet Tooth streams on June 4.

It is very fun watching Micah Parsons play football. Unfortunately it’s been quite awhile since we’ve gotten that opportunity — Parsons sat out the 2020 college football season when it looked like the Big Ten would not play until spring at the earliest — but in two years as a linebacker at Penn State, Parsons established himself as an All-American and someone whose name would get called sometime in the first round whenever he entered the NFL Draft.

That moment is going to come on Thursday barring something totally unforeseen. Parsons is expected to be one of, if not the, first defensive players to hear their names read by Roger Goodell at the 2021 NFL Draft, the kind of mistake-erasing linebacker in the middle of the field who mixes freakish athleticism — he’s 6’3, 246 pounds and runs a 4.39 second 40-yard dash — with remarkable football instincts. In two years in Happy Valley, 191 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks while forcing six fumbles and earning a consensus All-American nod as a sophomore.

Prior to Thursday’s festivities, Uproxx Sports caught up with Parsons through USAA to talk about the Draft, his game, a growing narrative around one of his college teammates, Penn State wrestling, and more.

Has it hit you yet that you’re going to be making it to the NFL in a few days?

It hasn’t fully hit me yet, but I believe it will very soon. Very, very soon. I think once I’m finally drafted and I got that hat on and I walk into the stage, that’s when it’s gonna hit me real quick.

You spent this last year getting ready for this moment. How did you become a better football player in the last year?

I had an unbelievable guy working me out, coach Chad. He helped me with my movements, so we just get better. I think my all-around game, and I think I showed that a little bit at my Pro Day. It’s really just watching a lot more film, what some of the best people in the league are doing right now, or watching a lot more football this year. So getting prepared with my team this year, and I’ll come and see them soon. That’s kind of how I spent my year.

I remember back when you were recruited, you were a big-time defensive end recruit, and I want to talk about your transition to playing linebacker. Just first, when was the first game in your life when you were just a full-time linebacker?

I played linebacker pretty much my whole life until I got to high school.

And what is it about playing linebacker that you think best takes advantage of your skillset as a football player?

I think my IQ, my speed, hip power, range. I think that all those things helped me become a great linebacker.

And, a person comes up to you and says, “Micah, I want to watch the game, that best sums you up as a football player.” What game are you telling them to watch and why?

I’m going to tell them to watch every game, but the most dominant one would be the Memphis game.

Why that one?

I think that was the game, if you look at all my games, I think that was the game where coach was like, I begged coach, “Let me loose, let me move, I’m feeling it coach.” I think that was the game where I showed every part of my game, what I could do, coverage-wise, blitzing-wise, tackling-wise, range. Didn’t matter, I did everything.

So, one thing I always liked doing is asking guys about their college teammates in the lead up to the Draft. And with you, there’s been this narrative around Jayson Oweh that he didn’t get any sacks last season. How do you respond when people say, “He didn’t have any sacks last year. I see the numbers, I see the athleticism, but I’m a little hung up on that sack number?”

You have to know football, and you have to know what you’re getting out of a player. That stuff always tells the tale. Look at Danielle Hunter. Danielle Hunter had one and a half sacks, and he’s one of the best pass rushers in the NFL right now. So sometimes it doesn’t always tell everything you need to know about a player.

And I think Jayson is one of them examples, there’s so many factors that could have went into it. It’s all about scheme. I think when you look at it, teams often get the ball off quicker. We had Shaka Toney and Jayson Oweh off the edge, which were two of the most dominant pass rushers. So I think teams did a lot more dropbacks, a lot more quick passes, dumps, quick slash, out runs, and things like that. So there’s a lot of things that should go into why he didn’t have any sacks. I think they based it off of kind of a weird season. It’s a hard judge, but I think Jayson’s going be future All-Pro player.

Yeah, I mean, you watch the games and quarterbacks are getting the ball out in half second, and Jayson is still getting a hand on them. It’s just, like you said, they’re getting the ball out real quick.

Yeah, exactly. So I think the season kind of put this narrative out that — “he didn’t do this.” But, you can let people pass on him if you want to, and later down the line, they’re gonna regret that.

So there was a really great piece about you on PennLive last week, where you said I’m here for something bigger than football. What is that something?

I don’t know yet. But I know the type of person I am, and I love giving back. I love trying to change my community. I love … really just trying to inspire people. I think I got an amazing story, and I went through a lot personally as a kid, and even as adult. I think I can tell my story and it’s going to impact somebody. I think me being in this Draft is an unbelievable experience, and show them that you can do things bigger than yourself — just got to put your mind to it, you just got to work, and people are going to listen. Because I’m kind of doing it now, and I think I got a chance to reach some kids, and inspire them to do bigger things themselves. I think that’s what it’s all about. It’s really not about the money or the accomplishments, it’s about how you going to impact people down the road, the ones, the future. I think the future matters and, who’s going to be the future generation. The people that is going to bring all this together in the world.

What do you have going on with USAA?

I partnered with USAA because I love what they’re doing. I love what their message is and what they’re trying to do. Unbelievable opportunity for myself to partner with them, I have an unbelievable amount of military family in my household. I got two uncles that’s active and that’s going to be with me at the Draft. And I just love what they do, and I think it’s going to be a great thing for the both of us.

Nice. So my two final questions here, I’m also a Penn State guy, and I know there were some times in college when you said you want to take a couple of handoffs, you want to return a few kicks. Are you going to want to do that stuff in the NFL?

Of course. If it presents itself, I’d be the first one to take it.

And then the final question, this is the toughest one I’m going to ask you, what is the best Penn State wrestling moment from when you started following the program?

The best Penn State wrestling program moment … I think when Anthony Cassar upset, was it Kollin Moore?

Yeah. That was the dual in Rec Hall.

Yes, sir. That was legendary.

Yeah. That and Bo pinning Myles Martin to wrap up the team title are the two that always stick with me.

Yeah, at the NCAAs, those are my top two. But, one that I saw in person, it was definitely Cassar at 197 when he upset Moore.

Oh wait. So you were there for that?

Yes, sir. I didn’t miss a match.

On July 4, the United States, as it does every year, will celebrate Independence Day. This year, that date will have additional significance for Lana Del Rey fans, though, as July 4 is also the release date for her next album, Blue Banisters, which Del Rey revealed yesterday. She hasn’t shared much info about the album yet, although she has now shared what seems to be a snippet of new music from the release.

Del Rey posted a snippet of what appears to be a professionally shot music video. Based on the lyrics, the audio seems to be taken from the album’s title track, as Del Rey sings, “Said he’d come back every night / Just to help me if I paint my banisters blue / Blue banisters / Said he’d fix my weathervane / Give me children, take away my pain / and paint my banisters blue.” Del Rey also captioned her post, “Sometimes life makes you change just in time for the next chapter.”

When Del Rey announced the album yesterday, she shared the cover art, which was quickly torn to shreds by fans online, who derided the image as a low-effort visual. Reactions were plentiful and among them were funny re-creations of other album covers in a similar style.

Check out the snippet above.

There are a lot of good reasons to not like Texas senator Ted Cruz. He abandoned his state during a historic winter storm for sunny Cancun. He is not good at his job. He thinks passing gun control laws will make things “worse.” His Simpsons impressions are… yeesh. Here’s a new one: Ted Cruz is a “[blank] isn’t as good as it used to be” guy.

Cruz recently picked a fight with The Daily Show‘s Twitter account over a segment in which host Trevor Noah discussed Texas picking up some congressional seats, while states like California and New York lost them. “Trevor Noah whines that people are fleeing high-tax blue states & moving in droves to low-tax states like Texas, where the jobs are. Doesn’t understand why people like freedom. Also predicts the Biden years will be the Great Depression,” Cruz tweeted, to which The Daily Show replied, “Not sure I’d be using the words ‘fleeing’ and ‘Texas’ in the same sentence, Senator Cancun.”

Cruz wrote that he wears “your scorn with pride” (that explains a lot, actually), adding, “I remember when the Daily Show was funny.” That’s when the former-The Daily Show host Jon Stewart got involved. “Ummm…you remember last night?? Bravo,” he tweeted.

Cruz would have responded, but he was busy thinking of other things.

Stephen Colbert’s A Late Show returned to live TV following Biden’s Wednesday night speech to Congress—you know, the one that Ted Cruz slept through? While the bulk of Colbert’s opening monologue was dedicated to analyzing Biden’s hits and misses, it was clear that the host was excited to move on to his next segment: The FBI raid on Rudy Giuliani.

Federal investigators arrived at Giuliani’s door with a warrant to search both his apartment and office bright and early on Wednesday, around 6 a.m. (which is never a good sign). Even Colbert took issue with the early door-knock, saying that everyone knows “Rudy’s not himself until he’s had his first cup of hot breakfast wine.” (Could that have been the mysterious liquid seen dripping from his head back in November?)

Though Giuliani did his best to downplay the seriousness of the FBI assembling before the sun had even risen to confiscate his electronic devices—first blaming it on “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” then issuing a statement complaining yet again about Hunter Biden—he was getting much warmer on the latter try. According to Colbert, the FBI’s investigation of Giuliani “goes back to the last presidential election and Rudy’s attempts to dig up dirt on Hunter Biden in Ukraine with the help of his two Soviet-born business associates, Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman.”

Parnas and Fruman were arrested on the same matter in 2019, and specifically questioned about whether Giuliani had illegally assisted them in lobbying “the Trump administration on behalf of Ukrainian officials and oligarchs.” It’s not known whether Parnas and Fruman flipped on Giuliani, but the Feds generally don’t come a-knocking unless they’re convinced you’ve done something really bad. Colbert, for one, is hoping that’s the case—if only so that his new segment, “Rudy, Rudy, Fresh & Screwed-y” (complete with an animated Rudy and a requisite fart sound) can become a regular thing.

“This raid is a big deal,” Colbert confirmed. “The FBI doesn’t just pop into your apartment to borrow a cup of justice. It means there’s probable cause that Giuliani committed a federal crime,” which Colbert admitted was a “tough break for Rudy”—but only because “The only lawyer dumb enough to defend him just got raided by the Feds.”

Colbert issued a final piece of advice to any known Giuliani associates: “Anything involved with Rudy Giuliani is under scrutiny, so lawyer up if you own a landscaping company between a crematorium and a Dildo Hut.” Consider yourselves warned.

You can watch Colbert’s full monologue above (the Giuliani segment starts around the 9:55 mark).

Saturday Night Live has a varied and colorful history of musical guests that have appeared on the show over the decades. Somebody who isn’t a part of that history, though, is Grimes, as she has yet to perform on the show. It looks like she’s not so sure it will ever happen for her, as she seems to think she blew her shot at getting on the long-running program.

With Elon Musk set to host an upcoming episode of the show, Grimes fans have fantasized about how fun it would be if she was the episode’s musical guest. That prompted a story from Grimes (who is fresh off getting a gigantic back tattoo) about a time a person from the show in charge of booking musical guests (Brian Siedlecki and Lindsay Shookus have that responsibility as of 2018) went to one of her concerts, which was unfortunately a particularly bad performance. Grimes tweeted, “The music booker from SNL came to my show once but I literally concussed myself in the first ten mins of the show, blacked out and played a famously horrific set that I have no memory of and I think the booker thinks im the worst live act ever haha but kinda funny anecdote.”

Grimes fans have been met with good news recently, however, as Grimes revealed towards the start of the year that she was wrapping up work on some new music.

Jimmy Kimmel‘s made no secret of his morbid obsession with TV pillow pitchman-turned-Trump conspiracy peddler Mike Lindell. And given our human propensity for staring directly at a car crash, it was hardly surprising when Kimmel invited Lindell to appear as a guest, but under two very specific conditions: Lindell had to appear in person, and the interview would be conducted on a bed, with both host and guest surrounded by pillows. Lindell’s answer was a resounding ye — California king-sized cuddling and all. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions (and Lindell just laughing when asked if he had been vaccinated) a trusty old desk-and-couch setup had to do. But Kimmel didn’t waste any time doling out Jimmy Fallon-patented hair tussles.

“In our nation’s long and storied history, only one pillow man has ever been called to the Oval Office because our president was unhappy with his election results,” Kimmel said by way of (sadly factually correct) introduction. They managed to cover a lot of ground in the 18-minute conversation, beginning with Lindell’s decades-long addictions—to gambling, alcohol, cocaine, and eventually crack, which resulted in the loss of his bar business, foreclosure on his home, and the dissolution of his marriage.

Though Lindell has been sober since January 16, 2009, Kimmel didn’t seem so sure that the 30-plus years of bodily abuse weren’t to blame for some of the wilder theories the bedding entrepreneur has floated. Lindell was a good sport, laughing where it worked to his advantage and answering Kimmel as seemingly honestly as he could. Still, Kimmel couldn’t shake the feeling that Lindell has been put out there as a kind of patsy for Trump and his cronies to allege unsubstantiated voter fraud claims.

Currently, MyPillow and Lindell are being sued for $1.3 billion (with a b) by Dominion Voting Systems for defamation due to his ongoing insistence that the company’s voting machines were hacked. Lindell recently countersued for $1.6 billion (also with a b) for Dominion’s supposed “suppression of speech and attacks on [MyPillow].” Lindell then claimed, yet again, that he has substantiated proof that Dominion’s voter machines were hacked, and that he’ll be delivering this smoking gun data to the Supreme Court ASAP.

Kimmel had another theory: That finding religion after years of alcohol and drug abuse might have felt like a “divine intervention” for Lindell, leading him to believe that he was put on Earth for a special purpose—and he might very well believe that by allowing himself to be trotted out as a scapegoat for those who were desperate to invalidate the 2020 presidential election results, he’s doing God’s work. “I worry that you are self-destructive,” Kimmel said. “I feel like you’re going to be out dressed as Spider-Man on Hollywood Boulevard at the end of this whole thing.”

Lindell laughed it off, but Kimmel was dead-serious: “I believe that you are sincere. I also think there’s something going on from the crack or whatever.”

Among the other topics covered in the wide-ranging interview, which you can watch in the clip above: Constitutional freedoms. Voter rights. Politics. Racism. Mass killings. Border security. The dangers of drug use. Whether Mike has a Hotmail address (he says now). And does he believe in Bigfoot? Lindell says no, but only because he has never seen one. Give it time, Mike. Give it time.

The IPA is the undisputed champion of the American craft beer scene. But the classic, bitterly hoppy IPA, made famous by brands like Firestone Walker and Stone, isn’t for everyone. In fact, the IPA, particularly the West Coast IPA, has a lot of haters right now — folks who are tired of IPAs dominating taps or can’t understand why someone would inflict this kind of bitterness upon their taste buds.

On the flip side, you have IPA loyalists — who have been insisting for the better part of a decade that it’s not simply bitter beer to them. They genuinely find the aromas and flavors of citrus zest, fresh-cut flowers, and notes of sometimes skunky/ occasionally even weed-like Pacific Northwest pine trees alluring. It intrigues and transports them. That’s the flavor profile we’re going to emphasize today.

Primarily found in West Coast IPAs, certain Northwest hop varietals impart massive doses of dank pine flavor into beer. And the true IPA fans dig it. To be clear, these are beers for hop heads who have no fear of bitterness and resin. For the rest of you, a few of these picks might taste like carbonated bong water.

Stone Ruination

ABV: 8.5%

Average Price: $13.99 for a 4-pack of 16-ounce cans

The Beer:

This 8.5 percent double IPA was the first West Coast double IPA, bottled and made available year-round in the entire country when it launched in 2002. It evolved over the years to add dry hopping in 2015. The newest iteration is unfiltered, hazy, and filled with all the fresh-hopped flavors drinkers expect from a bold West Coast IPA.

Tasting Notes:

On the nose, you’ll find aromas of a Christmas tree forest, citrus zest, and sweet malts. The palate is filled with flavors of ripe guava, sweet mango, fresh flowers, and resinous pine. The finish is sweet and fruity with a nice wallop of bitter hops at the end.

Bottom Line:

You’re more likely to find a hazy, unfiltered IPA made in the New England style (rather than the West Coast style). This makes Ruination a unique craft beer drinking experience.

Upslope Spruce Tip

ABV: 7.5%

Average Price: $11.99 for a six-pack

The Beer:

You definitely know what you’re getting into when you drink this beer. While many of the other IPAs on this list get their pine flavor from selected hops, this beer gets it from actual hand-selected Colorado spruce tips. It’s also loaded with Cascade and Simcoe hops to give it a bright, bold, hop flavor and aroma.

Tasting Notes:

Take a moment to breathe in the scents of bright citrus, sweet malts, and a healthy dose of pine. The palate is swirling with dried orange peels, subtle cooking spices, floral hops, and bold spruce tips. It all ends with a nice combination of rich malts and bright, spicy pine.

Bottom Line:

While you might enjoy subtle pine flavor in your favorite IPA, this beer is for those who want bold, in-your-face pine flavor. Don’t let that scare you (too much). Somehow, this beer remains well-balanced.

Founders Centennial

ABV: 7.2%

Average Price: $10.99 for a six-pack

The Beer:

Centennial IPA touts itself as an IPA based solely on its use of (you guessed it) Centennial hops. For those unaware, Centennial hops were first released in 1990 and have become one of those most popular varieties for IPAs. It’s known for its healthy dose of citrus and pine aroma and flavor.

Tasting Notes:

The aromas on the nose are those of lemon, lime, fresh flowers, and resinous pine. Juicy grapefruit, ripe pineapple, orange peels, and soft pine flavors are prevalent when you take a drink. The finish is dry, crisp, and ends with a nice final kick of bitterness.

Bottom Line:

This is one of the most well-rounded beers on this list, in terms of citrus to pine ratio. You’ll get a great deal of resin, but it’s tempered by juicy tangerine and grapefruit.

Dogfish Head 60 Minute

ABV: 6%

Average Price: $11.99 for a six-pack

The Beer:

Part of the appeal of Dogfish Head 60 is the fact that while it’s intensely hopped using Northwest hops, it doesn’t have much bitterness. That’s because they continuously hop the beer while it boils for a full 60 minutes. The result is a highly flavorful, subtly sweet, almost indescribable beer with bold notes of citrus and pine.

Tasting Notes:

On the nose, you’ll be treated to aromas of lemon zest, ripe tangerines, lime juice, and a whole forest of fir trees. On the palate, you’ll find flavors of crisp, bright grapefruit, bready malts, and a hint of herbal, subtly bitter, resinous hops. It ends with a very crisp finish filled with pine and citrus and ends with just a hint of hop bitterness.

Bottom Line:

There’s a reason this has been one of the most popular IPAs in America for decades. It’s unique, delicious, and well suited to pleasing fans of subtle, piney hops.

Sierra Nevada Torpedo

ABV: 7.2%

Average Price: $10 for a six-pack

The Beer:

This “Extra IPA” gets its name because of the use of a “hop torpedo,” a device used by Sierra Nevada (and other breweries) to dry hop its beer. It’s a piece of equipment that extracts oils from the hops. Thus, creating bolder, hoppier, citrus, herbal, and pine bomb IPAs.

Tasting Notes:

Take a moment to give this beer a nice nosing and you’ll find notes of wet grass, ripe lemons, and bright resin. Take a sip and you’ll be greeted with ripe pineapple, juicy mango, lime, and subtle pine. The finish is slightly bitter, dry, and closes with a nice hit of caramel malt sweetness.

Bottom Line:

As potent and bold as this 7.2 percent extra IPA might be, it’s still highly drinkable with low levels of bitterness and a pleasing kick of pine.

Sixpoint Resin

ABV: 9.1%

Average Price: $13.99 for a six-pack

The Beer:

Similar to Upslope Spruce Tip IPA, you can be pretty sure you’re going to get your pine fix when you crack open a Sixpoint Resin IPA. This imperial IPA is loaded with Chinook, Centennial, and a slew of other resinous, piney, bold hops.

Tasting Notes:

Spend a few seconds breathing in the aromas of citrus zest, wildflowers, freshly cut grass, and resinous, herbal pine before taking a sip. At this point, you’ll get to enjoy flavors of honey-like malts, dried orange peels, ripe grapefruit, and spruce tips. It all ends in a cacophony of slightly bitter, resinous, floral hops flavor.

Bottom Line:

Even with a name like Resin, this beer is surprisingly complex and well-rounded. Sure, the resin flavors are pronounced, but they work well with ripe citrus and floral hops notes.

Brouwerij West Bounce

ABV: 6%

Average Price: $12.99 for a six-pack

The Beer:

This no-frills, by-the-book West Coast IPA is exactly what pine fans crave. It’s hopped with Citra, Mosaic, and Centennial hops to give it the classic, crisp, resinous, fruity, and citrus flavor West Coast IPA fans have grown to expect.

Tasting Notes:

This highly acclaimed West Coast IPA begins with aromas of crisp pear, citrus zest, and a nice kick of pine. The palate is filled with notes of grapefruit, bright resin, sweet malts, and a nice herbal, subtle floral hop presence. The finish is sweet, fruity, and ends with a slightly bitter bite of hops.

Bottom Line:

There are a lot of West Coast IPAs on the market, but, in our opinion, this is how a West Coast IPA should taste. Pine is up front with citrus and hop bitterness in the background.

Ninkasi Total Domination

ABV: 6.7%

Average Price: $10.99 for a six-pack

The Beer:

With a name like Total Domination, you know this beer brings the heat. This year-round offering was first released back in 2006. Made with 2-Row Pale, Carahell, and Munich malts as well as Amarillo, Summit, and Crystal hops, it’s a real banger of a citrus, floral, resin bomb.

Tasting Notes:

On the nose, you’ll find scents of ripe berries, lemon zest, spruce, and spring grass. Take a sip and immerse your palate in flavors of caramel malts, ripe grapefruit, juniper, and resin. The close is refreshing and subtly bitter.

Bottom Line:

If you’re looking for a fruitier, yet still piney IPA, this is the beer for you. The spruce flavors are complimented by ripe berries, tropical fruits, and citrus.

Russian River Blind Pig IPA

ABV: 6.25%

Average Price: $7 for a 500ml bottle

The Beer:

There are few names bigger than Russian River in the American craft beer world. While the Northern California brewery is most known for its Pliny the Elder and Pliny the Younger beers, its Blind Pig IPA with its hoppy, citrus, and pine tree flavors is its unsung hero.

Tasting Notes:

Before you take a sip, fill your nostrils with the scents of grapefruit, lemon, lime, and a field of Christmas trees. The palate is swirling with more grapefruit, slight caramel maltiness, vibrant floral hops, and a nice kick of resin. It all ends with a nice combination of fir tips and slightly bitter citrus.

Bottom Line:

When it comes to West Coast IPAs, it’s hard to top the resinous, piney flavor of this beer from Russian River. This complex, flavorful brew is definitely for true pine fans.

Lagunitas Super Cluster

ABV: 8%

Average Price: $11.99 for a six-pack

The Beer:

Lagunitas refers to this beer as a “Citra-hopped mega ale of intergalactic proportions” and we couldn’t agree more. It’s eight percent and massively hopped to be a nice mix of bitterness, citrus, and pine with 2-Row malted barley and a whole slew of Citra hops. It’s a truly colossal beer that lives up to its over-the-top name.

Tasting Notes:

Breathe in aromas of tropical fruits, bright tangerine, lemon zest, and resinous pine. Take a taste and you’ll be met with hints of fresh grapefruit, ripe peaches, bright lime, and fir tips. The finish is dry, slightly bitter, and filled with tart grapefruit.

Bottom Line:

This IPA was brewed with a ridiculous amount of Citra hops. Because of this, the flavor is a refreshing combination of tart citrus and vibrant pine.

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As a Drizly affiliate, Uproxx may receive a commission pursuant to certain items on this list.

Nikola Jokic’s status as the MVP frontrunner certainly won’t take a hit after his performance on Wednesday, as he led the Nuggets to a 114-112 win, stuffing the stat sheet once again with 32 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds.

Among the biggest arguments against Jokic, and typically the argument made by those who see Joel Embiid as the MVP this season, is the difference in their impact on the defensive end. Jokic is a perfectly fine defender, but is not the defensive force Embiid is in anchoring the Sixers on that end. However, on Wednesday night, Jokic’s finest individual act came in the closing seconds on the defensive end, where he saved the Nuggets from blowing a late lead with an improbably block on, of all people, Zion Williamson.

After Brandon Ingram drew the defense late, he fed Williamson in the dunker’s spot who had a clean look at the rim, but Jokic was able to swat away his attempt from behind. The initial look from the broadcast and the first replay make it seem like a plausibly clean block.

That is what was ruled on the floor as the Nuggets escaped with a win, but the baseline angle showed Jokic getting an awful lot of Williamson’s wrist on the play.

From the angle the referees had, they didn’t spot that and so the play was deemed clean and Denver escaped with a win that pulls them five full games ahead of the Lakers for the 4-seed out West. The Pelicans, meanwhile, will feel that they should’ve had a couple free throws for a chance at OT to get a win they desperately need to keep faint play-in dreams alive.

After the game, Jokic had a pretty cheeky response to not getting called for a foul.

Joe Biden was tasked with giving the first non-bombastic, non-anxiety-inducing State of the Union speech in four years, and he succeeded with flying colors. He spoke quietly yet passionately. He talked up vaccinations. He talked about expanding education, giving federal money to pre-K schooling and community college. He uttered the words, “White supremacy is terrorism.” He praised America for rejecting the failed MAGA coup of Jan. 6 right off the bat. And he did it all in 71 minutes, without ever airing an epic list of grievances or shouting uncontrollably.

Throughout it all, Republicans kept schtum. Sometimes they applauded, but most of the time they sat in their seats and scowled through masks some of them may not have wanted to wear in the first place. One of them was Ted Cruz, one of the cheerleaders of the Jan. 6 tragedy. When the telecast cut to him, he was frozen and silent. But at one point his body must have rejected the inactivity, because it appeared he dozed off.

And so Cruz — one of the most dunkable lawmakers in Congress, on top of being one of its most dangerous — became the butt of a lot of social media jokes. Indeed, most had the same joke: That the man who battled a natural disaster in his congressional state of Texas by fleeing to warmer climes was just imagining himself in lovely Cancún.

Earlier in the day, Cruz tried to start some stuff with The Daily Show. They pelted him with a similar joke. So when they saw him snoozing, they drummed up another.

It’s a joke that will likely follow Cruz throughout his life. If he’s not going to be drummed out of Congress for his behavior on Jan. 6, he might as well be forever insulted.