Sarmat Ale Svitle
Sarmat

Found in a kiosk in the center of Moscow, this one comes in a brown half liter bottle with a tapered neck and a yellow and gold label featuring four jovial men in Shakespearean costume enjoying some frothy mugs. Ingredients conform to the purity law. Best before 6/14/06, I opened it on 3/18/06.

Pours a clear slightly greenish gold under a 1.5 finger white head that displays a bit of body and lasts a decent amount of time before fading to thin film and collar. No lace left behind, while the carbonation bubbles continue to rise long after the head is gone. Pleasant fruity nose with a hint of tree sap (or bark). The mouth is fairly heavy and reasonably well carbonated. Nice mild and enjoyable flavor, a bit on the fruity side (plum and grape, with a subtle but enjoyable pine bitterness. The aftertaste is clean and slightly dry. This one's a winner.