Kaltenberg Pils
Sarmat

 

Found in a Moscow grocery store, the brown half liter bottle is widest at the shoulders, tapering down to the foot, with a fairly short neck. The label is yellow and gold, with what looks like a Bavarian royal coat of arms above the name, which is in German (with just one line in Russian). The back label is in Ukrainian and Russian. Ingredients conform to the purity law. Best before 8/31/06, I opened it on 5/19/06.

Pours a pretty good looking clear solid gold under a full two finger snow white head that fades a tad too quickly to film and collar, only managing to generate a few lace spots and strings. The nose is strong of floral hops, but their is an undertone of bad watermelon as well that causes me to worry. The mouth is just right for the style: light, clean and very well carbonated. The taste opens with some fairly heavy fruity malt - not quite bad watermelon, but perhaps watermelon just barely past its prime. The hops kick in a bit later, very strong, dry and bitter, generating a temptation for li--smacking. The dry bitter lasts long into the aftertaste, awakening a desire for the next sip. Too bad about the off watermelon, as this one has some very attractive features.