Podkovanske Tmave
Pivovar Podkováň

Found in a Moscow kiosk, this brew comes in a Czech standard brown half-liter bottle with a burgundy and white label featuring a the brewery's trademark happy bearded peasant giving the thumb's up with his left hand while holding a liter mug in his right and straddling a wooden keg. What's not to be happy about? Ingredients conform to the purity law. Best before 4/6/06, I opened it on 8/27/05.

Pours clear cola brown under a marvellous 1.5 finger beige head with nice contour and excellent retention (there was still foam as a finished the pint. The lacing was also excellent, all the way down the glass. The nose was wonderful - strong of caramel malt and some walnuts. The mouth was very prickly and slightly sticky. A nice sweet caramel opening greets the palate, succombing quickly to a strong crisp dry hoppy presence. The sweet and the hop blend very nicely, through the finish and into the aftertaste. Very, very nice rendition of the style. Yum!