Frosty Goodness

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  Walt Liquor 9:53 pm on March 19, 2010 Permalink | Reply  

  Baltika — In Russia, Beer Drinks You! 

  

  You’d think I’d learn after trying an import from Poland (“cool!”) that turned out to be their Malt Liquor (“dag nabbit!”) that trying odd Eastern European imports with labels in foreign languages is a wild gamble.  But if you’ve been reading my posts so far, you now know that I never learn.  Those brain cells died in a puddle of Schlitz long ago.  This time, it’s from Mother Russia — Baltika Number 6, which is something called a “Baltic Porter”.  In keeping with my policy of never learning, I have also not done my homework to figure out exactly what that is, but I drink on, nonetheless.

  Baltika Numero Six is not bad, just off a bit.  Not skunky, despite the intercontinental trip to Socal.  None of the flavors are bad, though there are a LOT of them.  Not too astringent, though I was expecting the first sip to dissolve my front teeth, as so often happens with extra-strong imports.  But it’s just… different — an odd mismash of flavors that don’t quite all work together.  Something’s just not quite right — maybe something’s lost in the translation, maybe this is what Baltic Porters are supposed to be, but I’m not buyin’ it.  Why not?  Check out their website – you can look up the Baltika’s official homepage for all their beers (they run from 1 through 9).  For Number 6, you’ll see a strange juxtaposition of hip, modern Russian youngster spinnin’ trax on the DJ set on the left, next to this description of Baltika No. 6 on the right:

  “Baltika’s porter is one of the most eminent varieties of Russian beer with a long heritage.  Energy value: 60 kilocalories per 100 g of beer.  Nutritional value: not more than 6.0 g of carbohydrates per 100 g of beer.”

  Wow — that has to be the most arid, scientific beer slogan I’ve ever seen.  Keep in mind, this is on their official website, where you’re supposed to sing the praises of your product, not post half of an AP Chemistry word problem.  And it about sums it up for Baltika No. 6 — like the emergence of Russian glam rock bands after glastnost, Baltika No. 6 is just a little too alien for my taste.

   

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  Frosty 10:24 am on March 13, 2010 Permalink | Reply  

  Holy Bourbon Batman! Full Sail Top Sail Porter 

  I’ve had a few bourbon barrel beers in my time. Usually, the brewer has the courtesy to pour out the bourbon before making the beer in it. That doesn’t appear to be the case here, cause one sip of this and you’ll be “WOW, Bourbon!”. Whether that produces a smile or a cringe is up to your particular tastes. For me, it was an instant ‘alcohol shiver’. This bourbon flavor in this stuff is strong. Real strong.

  Now don’t get the wrong impression here. I’m not saying its bad, because it certainly isn’t. I had two bottles of the stuff myself. This may even be the beer that you can get your “I only drink real alcohol” snob buddies to drink. I just wanted to make sure and give you all a heads up about what to expect, and to give you an idea of how much your breath will smell like a boozy hobo when you’re done. Salud!

   
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  Ivana Goodbeer 8:30 pm on September 11, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

  Bridgeport Porter 

  Hops-scotch and his betrothed joined us last weekend for some fun and frivolity so of course Frosty and I would be totally remiss if we didn’t start their Portland experience with some great beer! We decided to take them to the Bridgeport brewery downtown for some lunch vittles and of course some awesome beer.  Hops-scotch ordered their Black Strap Stout while his wife-to-be and Frosty ordered Haymakers.  I went for their porter.

  Lets just say… I’ve fallen in love with porters and Bridgeport’s is no exception.  The smoky smooth taste made for a flavorful, yet easy to drink beer.  I honestly can’t think of anything that wouldn’t taste good with a porter.  I’d even drink a porter with chocolate cake!  (Ohh… that sounds so good….) Ok… maybe I should change my name to “PorterSlut.”

  Ivana Goodbeer, and Frosty are discussing. Toggle Comments

   
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    Frosty 12:19 pm on September 12, 2009 Permalink

    PorterSlut!

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    Ivana Goodbeer 12:37 pm on September 12, 2009 Permalink

    You know it!

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  Ivana Goodbeer 12:27 pm on July 20, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

  Black Butte Porter by Deschutes 

  It was a very long journey.  Even Frodo and Sam would have been impressed.  Frosty and I were on the road for a whopping 7 hours and by the time we reached the Oregon border, we were ready for sustenance.  Like a beacon, Joe’s Crab Shack called to us and we gladly answered the call.  After sliding our tired bodies across greasy vinyl seats, the waiter asked if we would like a drink.  Frosty asked what was on tap.  The waiter, obviously ignorant of our desire for real beer, listed several types of canned water.  “Well, we have Budweiser, Miller, Coors…”  I was about to get up and drive back to Seattle when he finally listed a few beers.  One was Black Butte Porter.  I was in a mood for a more robust beer so I jumped at a chance to give this porter a try.  (Frosty actually ordered a sangria.  I offered him my purse and shoes to go with it.)  Fortunately the beer arrived before the staff at JCS started dancing to ‘Love Shack’.

  This porter was exactly what I was looking for.  It was very robust and filled with a smoky/woody/chocolate flavor that went well with my crispy white fish sandwich.  I could have easily finished another glass and joined the staff during their second dance show.  Usually beers like this are best during the fall and winter months, but I was getting tired of lighter ‘summer’ beers.  The porter hit the spot and didn’t seem too heavy.  Frosty would have tried some, but didn’t think it would have gone with all that cherry syrup in his sangria. 

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    Frosty 9:47 am on July 21, 2009 Permalink

    I defend my honor! Sangria is awesome! Especially when you think you are taking it easy by eating the fruit, only to get twice as hammered. Chick-Drink lovers unite! Ok, back to beer.

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    melanie 6:09 am on July 22, 2009 Permalink

    Now I understand why Frosty didn’t write this post, rofl. I love sangria too, but the beer sounds awesome!

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    Ivana Goodbeer 8:23 am on July 22, 2009 Permalink

    Melanie! Thanks for stopping by. *Hands her a craft beer* I have a great sangria recipe I got from one of Frosty’s friends. He got it when he was visiting Spain. (And there is no cherry syrup in it!)

    Frosty – You are still da man! *Hands him an appletini*

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    melanie 1:41 pm on July 22, 2009 Permalink

    My recipe from a Spaniard involves Squirt.

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    Ivana Goodbeer 3:20 pm on July 22, 2009 Permalink

    I am sooo not going to go there. *snicker*

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  Frosty 10:35 pm on April 23, 2009 Permalink | Reply  

  Southern Oregon Brewing Porter. Better than Tea. 

  Whew, that’s over. You know what isn’t awesome? Getting a sore throat for a few days, then a chest infection that makes you cough like a madman, then a cold, and finally having your allergies kick in. No scenario says “beer? no f’ing way” like that one. I did however become quite the tea conessoiur lately. Maybe I should call this Steamy Goodness. Hey that’s trademarked now.

  Ok, so back to beer. My hiatus was officially over as of tonight as Namelganger and I sat down at the new local watering hole for a few brews and basketball. Lucky for me, Southern Oregon Brewing’s Porter had made its way an extra 1/2 mile closer to my house than the previous “only other place I can get this”. Having had now 5 pints, I can officially say that this is the best porter I’ve ever had. Its just so damn smooth. Slight roasty porter taste, but the smoothest damn swig you’ll ever have of something that calls itself porter. I realize its spring, and the lighter beers are coming back into fashion again. But, I say screw it. If chilly nights give me a reason to drink such a damn good dark beer I say Jack Frost, keep it coming.

  Now, S.O. Brewing, its time you look into this crazy new technology they have called bottles…