Baltika 6 Porter

Brewed by Baltika Brewery (Baltic Beverages Holding - Carlsberg)
Style: Baltic Porter
St. Petersburg, Russia

Serve in English pint, Shaker, Snifter

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From the Sharp Edge European Beerfest: This a very impressive baltic porter. One of the better finds at the beer fest. Reminded me of a fine stout from time to time. A wonderfly complex russian beer.

Ahhh,nothing like beer for breakfast.I just recieved this from Wawood brought back from his trip to Russia.What a great guy for remembering me.Anyhoo here i go.Nice dark black color with a 1 inch thick foamy dark tan head,that lasts for quite awhile.Roasted malt aroma mildly sweet and a slight hint of banana.Sweet malt taste,mildly fruity with a nice hop presence and the alcohol comes through in a very gentle way nothing over powering.The after taste is malty with a pretty decent hop bitterness that lasts quite awhile.The feel in the mouth is kind of heavy at first then it seems to change to a much lighter feel.the alcohol doesn't make a real strong presence for itself but IMO thats good because i think it would definately detract from the taste and over all complexity of the brew.This is certainly the best Russian brew i've had so far Thanks Wawood.

Color pours dark syrupy brown turning blackish as it levels into the glass, head is a supernatural light brown, much like that of parchment paper, so sad to see it go so fast. Leaves huge sheets of lace, nice. Smell is gorgeous with dark fruits, I detect cherry, melon, star fruit, and for sure bananas, hardly anything else, but who cares, this is awesome, its like a frickin fruit salad, super enchanting and pleasing nose. Tastes like no other I've had, mostly up front of banana and light, sweet roasted malt, very unusual and interestingly yummy. A bit like candied fruits but no sugary stuff, just the fruit, dark and rich. The feel is medium and quite full, very smooth and easy - no tricks to this creation. One fine porter with a bit of a different approach then most, and kudos to that.

Reminded me of a simple sweet stout. Not much complexity--gulpable. A good beginner's introduction to Porter, but not quite the real thing.

Nice thick, creamy head from the pour. Head lasts for a while also and leaves some nice lacing. Rich aroma with a slight touch of coffee, toffee and caramel. Color is a beautiful dark, red/black. Flavor is VERY smooth but not very complex. Can easily drink this right down. Flavor is a little weaker than expected but has coffee, roasted malts, raisins and is a little sweet. Finish is slightly bitter with a nice alcohol flavor and warming. The best Baltika product I have had so far.

dark red-brown. sweet caramel aroma. taste is a touch on the sugary side with a butterscotch toffee character. some interesting fruit notes with a raisin and overripe plums. finish is stout-like with a lasting bitterness. quite good but the syrupy sweetness lets it down.

Light brown head and black colour. Sweet aroma with notes of coffe and liquorice. Taste is rather sweet again with hints of coffee and liquorice (also raisins plus ryebread?). Not much bitterness in the finish. Easy drinking but a little too much sweetness.

Deep red/black, voluminous though shortlived head. Volatile banana/choc aroma. Initially too volatile to enjoy but, after some breathing, chocolate flavour predominates nicely. There is still a bit too much overripe banana presence, thin body doesn't help.

Bottled: Brown/black coloured. Huge chocolate brown head. Aroma is chocolate and light roastyness. Flavour is a bit waterish but still pleasant. Smooth chocolate notes. Alcahol totally hidden. Ends up with a mild bitterness. Miss some of the heavy action, you see in other examples of style.

The best Russian beer we could find. Goes well with Pelmenyi and vodka shooters.