In Steven Greenhut: We're increasingly ruled by rules, Greenhut gives several examples of things in America banned by the government. This reminded me of an argument I had with Gedas, because Lithuania has the same problem: "It's a lot easier...for authorities to target law-abiding citizens...than it is to target the real bad guys."
The result? I have to have people bring me ammonia from America in the form of After Bite. This stuff costs like two bucks, it's just plain ammonia, but I can't get it. Housewives in Lithuania can't use it as a cleaning agent. Why? Because somebody drank it once and died. So fuck it, this multi-use, convenient product will not be available for anybody.
How about Krupnikas, the Lithuanian spiced honey liqueur? Nope, can't have that in Lithuania. Well, you can have the shitty factory version from Maxima which is disgusting and gross. But can you make your own, delicious Krupnikas? No, brewing this traditional Lithuanian liqueur is restricted to emigres. This form of patriotism is restricted to Lithuanians abroad. Why? Because some bums drank too much grain alcohol and died once. Good luck finding it for sale now; as in Greenhut's examples, getting it now is part of the underworld economy.
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Is krupnikas-making itself specifically banned? I imagine it's simply the use of grain alcohol. Many US states (including New York and Mass), it's the grain alcohol that's banned, not krupnikas specifically. I think this is because of revenue/tax reasons more so than the moonshiners of old, but I could be mistaken.
Yes, of course it's the grain alcohol that's banned. How could they ban using if for a specific drink?
it is not the grain alcohol that is banned, making alcohol without a license is banned. And Krupnikas is a Ukrainian drink not traditional Lithuanian :)
Gedai, looks like you didn't click the link. It's a forum of Vilnius residents describing the trouble they've had trying to buy grain alcohol. I can tell you I certainly have never seen it for sale.
Looks like you also didn't click the link for krupnikas. You don't make alcohol, you use grain alcohol in a recipe for another liquer. Certainly mixing drinks isn't illegal in Lithuania?
ok i didn't click on the links. But what is grain alcohol then in lithuanian. I thought by grain alcohol you presumed - samagonas.
And after some googling i understand that i was wrong about the origin of krupnikas.
too mistakes in one comment - need to reload.
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