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