Baltic Express
Great Basin Brewing Co.

love this style, but this isnt an epic example of it or anything, richer and less dry than i prefer, light in some ways, a middle malt profile like a slightly sweet brown ale, less of the bitter roast and low end depth, but its solid overall, nice as we work through the last of winter, and a beer im always happy to see on a draft list even if this one isnt among the all time greats or anything. brownish more than black in the glass, fast fading cream head with some web lacing in its wake, decent shine, a little viscosity evident, leggy. nose hints at coffee, unlit cigarette, and european lager yeast, to me the fermentation profile gives it some authenticity right away, even if the malt proportions lean a little sweet. toasted bread, minerals, milk chocolate, some smoke, raisin, and date too. the flavor is sweeter than the nose, more bitterness from the dark barley would balance this better, but i like it tending a little light too, like its not super heavy to drink even with the residual sugar and the alcohol is very well hidden without a ton of thick body smoothing over it. a faint cola note is present, maybe light vanilla too. i could see some bourbon barrel treatment really adding to this, fine as it is on its own, some barrel char earthy bitterness, the mellowing oak, and the rich whiskey, all sound so compatible. this could have been lagered a little longer and dried out perhaps, its not dialed in as it could be, but still cool that they made one. not enough baltic porter in the world...