Country of Origin: Russia
Price comparison: About the price of everyday beer.
Alcohol percentage by volume: 7%
Cute bottle/label? 25-ounce squat brown glass. Short neck wrapped in a foil triangle, like the other Baltika offerings.
Appearance: Dark, like cola, with a sticky brown head.
Scent: Extremely malty, with hints of smokiness and molasses.
Flavor: More like a thin stout than a domestic porter in mouthfeel. I detected very little hops, even at the finish, but I've been sick and I'm out of practice. The flavors were decently restrained and balanced, some dark fruit and a bit of mocha, with a smoky finish.
Impressions: I think I like this better than some of the other porters I have had, but probably because it was almost like a doppelbock. It was a little heavily carbonated, so if I was going to be drinking it in mixed company, I'd probably want it slightly off the chill. It's a big but drinkable beer, and the flavor and texture would go well with beef or any strongly-flavored dish, perhaps something with onions and/or garlic.
Will I buy this beer again? I preferred it to the Baltika Extra, which has more alcohol but less flavor. I might buy this again, but not in bulk; it's more of a taster's beer than a crowd-pleaser. (And, okay, I am a sucker for the Cyrillic labeling.)
Rating:
3 out of 5 cute beer glasses
Reviewed: February 2, 2005
