Zhigulovskoye Moskovskovo Razliva
Ostankinskiy Drinks Plant (Останкинский Завод Напитков)

Comes in a standard brown half liter bottle with a very plain yellow and brown label. "Zhigulovskoye" is a common brand name for Russian beers. "Moskovskovo Razliva" means that it was poured in Moscow. Not sure why they want to be proud of that. Ingredients include rice and "hop products." OK. Best before 9/7/04, I opened it on 2/14/04.

Here we go again - typical Zhigulovskoye presentation. Pours a clear, somewhat bubbly orangish gold under a three finger snow white head with soapy bubbles. The head fades quickly, leaving no traces on the glass. The smell is spoiled apricot and plum - again, typical Zhigulovskoye. The mouth is fairly prickly and heavy. The taste is that typical bad fruit flavor, but this one has an appreciable hoppy bitterness that cuts through the overripe fruit. The aftertaste is split between the nice hops and the nasty fruit. Ultimately a drain pour, I have to admit that this was a pretty good rendition of a notoriously bad beer.