Baltika 6 Porter

Man, I don’t even like Porters or dark beers in general but this stuff is the bomb! Pours really dark with a decent head. Taste is smooth and not with the sometimes bitter after taste of (to me) most dark beers. This might be my favorite darkie.

Bottle from Arbat Russian shop in Prague (www.russianshop.cz). It is a clear, very deep amber in appearance with a loose, sandy head that lasts longer (in a clean glass) than I was led to expect. Port and sherry notes in the nose, with figs and drying fruit in the foreground; a touch of toasty malt in the back. In the mouth, more figs and dried fruits with a cinnamon-spicy element; a second sip brings out dusty cocoa notes. Surprisingly good: I’m very glad I have another five bottles in the Gimp Room. Bring on Old Man Winter!

Nice - a bit like an imperial stout-lite - some of the same burnt toffee, raisin, and warming alcohol characteristics. A little thin bodied though, and the head pretty much just vanished. Not a bad effort at all, I’d drink this again.

I finally got around to picking a bottle of the highest rated Russian beer. I can’t say I was too awed. The crystal clear, albeit dark brown poor lost its head within 20 seconds. Underneath, a brown sugar dominance provide no backing earthiness/smokiness/bitterness and roast from its dark malts was barely noticeable, perhaps a hint of cocoa here and there. Immensely sweet, like sugar cereals with its breadiness. Never chewy, relatively light-bodied and not without watery edges. I hoped for more fruity depth.

This poured dark black sludge but with nice head and good lacing. Tasted of choloate and caramel mats with a little bit of smokiness but nothing too overwhelming.

Bottle. Black on the pour with a lively, quick head - good amount of carbonation. Not a terribly thick beer despite the dark color. My first beer of this type (Baltic Porter). Taste is much like that of Baltika 4. Sweet, roasted caramel malts with a fair amount of bitterness at the finish.

50cl bottle. Black with some lasting tan foam. Sweet molasses, licorice and cocoa aroma. The flavor is sweet and syrupy, with some chocolate and dark bread. A world better that the 9, but still nothing I’d get again. A beer this heavy needs to be a bit more refined to be enjoyable.

1 pt 9 oz bottle. Nice and dark, creamy head that lasts a while, not an overpowering aroma, and smooth drinkability. And 7.0% to boot. I think I should have got more than one bottle of this. I’m likin’ it.