Stein Vycapny Leziak Tmavy
Pivovar Stein

Received for Christmas from Globetrotterette, who got it at a Viennese international bazaar. Comes in a standard brown half liter bottle with a black and gold label featuring a castle above the name. Ingredients conform to the purity law. Best before 3/28/07, I opened it on 1/17/07.

Pours a clear dark copper hue under a 1.5 finger tan head that fades fairly quickly to film and collar but generates a few nice lace sheets. The nose is mild and caramel sweet. The mouth is mildly carbonated, a bit on the heavy side and slightly sticky. The taste is right on the money, starting with lots of caramel, followed closely by roasted nuts and a bit of espresso bitter. The sweetness lingers perhaps a shade too long, but does eventually yield to the bitter. The aftertaste is quite mild but nonetheless dry and enticing. Definitely a winner.