I loved the Beowulf article, and laughed my butt off when I saw it too. I had just finished creating the layout for my Beowulf paradoy side quest when I decided to take a look in Barnes and Nobles for D&D products (particularilly that wondrous book Races od Destiny I still hope for) when I saw the Beowulf articles coverline on the magazine. I smiled deviously, decided Races of Destiny could wait awhile and picked up the magazine. By applying the fiendish template to Grendel and adding that creul energy draining tentelcle attack I had thought up I created quite the memorable encounter that my players truly hated. Thank you Dragon.
On a more analytical level, the article was truly invigorating, it gave a nice surmise of the tale of Beowulf and the Firedrake might just make an appareance in my campaigns as well. The only thing that makes me sigh is that there wasn't a sidebar detailing what Beowulf would be like if given equipment suitable to his level. They used to have those in the older magazines if I remember right and it helped me when balancing characters. Oh well, nothing I can't fix myself.
Dragon continues to be a plethora of wondrous information.