A world figure passed recently and it seems surprising how few paid any attention to it. No, not Len Dawson.
This is my review of Saltfire Brewing Putin on the Fritz Baltic Porter:
Mikhail Gorbechev passed on Monday, it just strikes me as odd how the coverage was simply, “he be dead” when he orchestrated one of the events that changed the world. One might think it be a bigger deal given the world’s sentiment shortly thereafter (TW: David Hasselhoff). I suppose like everything it depends on who you ask.
In Russia, state-owned news did mark the event, however the sentiment towards Gorbachev is less than pleasant. Many view him with contempt having presided over the fall of the Soviet Union. Ideology aside, Russian culture values strength and no event in recent history displayed Russian weakness at this level. Still, his impact is viewed at as irreversible.
In Europe, it was a bit mixed. While viewed favorably in Western 
Europe, a lot of people in the Baltic states remember him as a brutal dictator that sent the army to squash anti-Soviet protests. He may have presided over the fall and helped create the government system it would ultimately fall into, but he never publicly supported the idea of independence for the Soviet satellite states. So much so, even in my high school history class which hardly scratched the surface of historical events in the 1980’s (the 80’s weren’t exactly in the textbooks then), the protests in the Baltic states were discussed to the point where it was a test question.
In the end though he was certainly a figure who’s impact can be interpreted in many ways and can even be argued was more inconsequential perhaps than other figures during his time. An impact that is probably overlooked from the American perspective since as it turns out, we won this one.
One of my favorite styles in part because it is a bit of an oddball, Baltic Porter was all but forgotten in the west until the fall of the Iron Curtain. During the 90’s it saw a resurgence when breweries in Germany began to sell the style. The biggest difference between the English variety is a Baltic Porter typically uses a lager yeast. This is better suited to fermenting at lower temperatures and leaves the finished product with a lighter, more refreshing quality than its English cousin. This one out of Utah suits the style well at a hearty 9.6% abv which makes it likely you can find it more easily outside of Utah. Think of it as an Imperial Stout you can chug. Saltfire Brewing Putin on the Fritz Baltic Porter: 4.2/5
Wait! Biden isn’t Mr Wonderful? But, but, the media…
It’s shocking a guy who plagiarized Neal Kinnock isn’t the man they made him out to be.
I thought Gorbachev just stumbled into greatness. I don’t think he orchestrated it. It just happened around him, and he somehow remained standing.
Like Inspector Clouseau.
yeah I never saw greatness
That.
Given our unremarkable overclass, it might be safe to assume stumbling into greatness is the norm.
Even stumbling, he still did a lot of things right, or didn’t do a lot of stuff that would have been worse.
Yeah, he was a hardcore commie committed to the USSR idea and was cool with having a bunch of second world states subservient to the USSR. The notion that he was some huge reformer is a rewriting of history.
The USSR was doomed to fail by its horrific economic and political policies, he was just the guy that was in charge when it fell apart and he had to make the best of a bad situation when it finally fell apart.
The Berlin Wall didn’t fall because Gorbachev suddenly decided to be a nice guy. It fell because not enough of the soldiers manning the machine guns on the wall were willing to shoot people trying to get to the east side of the wall.
it is still to hot / summery to drink beer over 6% abv…
9.6 porter you can chug? Does not compute.
BTW, nice vid in the last thread OMWC – hadn’t listened to that song but they hit it pretty well.
Working through a new 3 disc import featuring some of Yoko Kanno’s best tracks including this one.
As a film/tv composer – she’s got an insanely great range between techno/industrial, classical, jazz, etc – love it all.
That sounds like a good beer MS. I’m glad you got a week with an enjoyable beer.
P.S. Never apologize for a link to The Hoff.
I refuse to apologize, but I will give a heads up.
Feelin’ more like David Hasselhoff every day.
You’re more like Hasselhoff every day.
NGL- thats me at breakfast
That beer sounds great, but don’t chug a Porter, that ain’t right
🍻
Don’t tell me how to have a good time.
Lachowsky,
I just saw the post about your brother. As someone who has been down that road I highly suggest getting his hands on Suboxone, either from a doctor or blackmarket if he is confident he could dole them out to himself properly. From there after being on a steady dose he could slowly taper off if he desires. This is basically trading one dependence for another but for one that is much more manageable. Opiates are hell to get away from, more so the longer you’re on them. Wish him luck.
Also, you might look into Ibogaine. I no little about it but it seemed like it might be showing promise several years ago but it was not an easy thing to get. Worth researching it a bit im sure.
Finally had a day off coincide with a near-windless day, so I just did a bunch of weed spraying. One overrun flower bed had a bunch of soon-to-be-dead millet in it.
I guess that makes me 😐👉🏻🕶😎
a cereal killer.
Roundup or? My garden is in need of serious maintenance. I killed a few wild things with Roundup but the death knell is sloooooooooooooooow.
Take a look when you visit.
I usually do a 2,4-D/Roundup cocktail, but I was out of 2,4-D and didn’t feel like running to town. So, yeah, they should all be good and dead in 7+ days.
I used quiclorac on the lawn last weekend. Haven’t got my sprayer tuned in so turned out to be thin. Pondering whether to do it again. Overseeding is coming up soon.
Never had heard of quiclorac. I see it gets good reviews online. I may try it to get rid of the clover infestation I have in a few spots.
Isn’t that the stuff you take with zinc?
Crabgrass, COVID. Potato, potahtoe.
The formulations I’ve seen say to use MSO, other surfactants like Sticker or similar won’t work quite as well.
Good afternoon all. Baltic Porters have been popping up at my usual beer distributors. I do enjoy the style. Lots of flavor without the weight.
I bought another metal lathe.
This always happens when I swear off of buying anything.
What did you get?
I bet he got a metal lathe.
South Bend 9″. It was only $150.
It is going to replace my Craftsman 6″, but those are really popular, so it should be a quick turnaround when the new one is all cleaned up.
Wow. Damn good price. Good find.
Yeah, just kinda stumbled on it this AM. I had been thinking of upsizing to one, but I didn’t want to pay a grand or more. Now I can sell the Crafty to pick up any tooling I will need, within reason.
That’s a steal.
Once, I dated a woman that treated her body “like a temple”.
Then she couldn’t understand why old, Jewish, men, hung around her on Saturday evening.
‘Think of it as an Imperial Stout you can chug.’
Now you’re speaking my language.