A local distributor just started carrying a couple kinds of beer from a St. Petersburg brewery, Baltika (Russian site here). The Original Dark beer is dark, but only the way an amber or Newcastle is dark. But the flavor is great—a touch of caramel balanced by some hops, with a dark malty undercurrent. I might have to get another. But I have all their other flavors to try, plus some Polish varieties.

George and Becky are getting ready to leave Boston for the cooler climes of the Bay area. Now we have no excuse not to visit California. He also has some kind things to say about a kite dealer in Kitty Hawk.