Niagara Okroshka Kvass (Ниагара Окрошечка Квас)
Niagara National Water Company (Национальная водная компания «Ниагара»)

A thanks to the Czar of the Kvass kick, woodychandler, for this beer. Poured from a large, brown plastic bottle. Has an iced tea color with no head at all. Smell is a bit unusual, vinegar, tea. Taste is vinegar, sour, funky, some tea. Feels light bodied in the mouth and overall, one of these is plenty for me.

All of a sudden, the Kvass Kick is back up an running, Kamarades! There were three (3) of us who were hardcore for a while ( @TMoney , @NeroFiddled & @woodychandler ) until @UCLABrewN84 raised the question as to whether Kvass was worthy of or even merited inclusion. 8=( The wind left my sails as the debate protracted & I simply moved on. Time has borne me out & Kvass has a solid place on this site! Happy happy joy joy! Which brings me to my current, renewed interest. I took some Kvass to a monthly bottle share last Saturday & while it was not wildly received, it was still pooh-poohed by some attendees! 8={} I ALREADY fought in this battle & won! Now, I am simply drinking the fruits of my success in advance of tomorrow's visit from @tone77 who will get halvsies of everything from yesterday & today.

From the Bottle: "Ниагара Окрошечка Квас".

I unscrewed the plastic cap from the plastic bottle (!) 8=( & began a slow C-Line pour into my awaiting Saint-Petersburg souvenir glass, procured a few weeks ago at Otterbein Church's monthly Attic Treasures rummage sale. It was still another still Kvass, evincing no carbonation nor producing any head. Fine by me as I charged my glass up to the rim! More for me.

A refresher on Okroshka & the Kvass especially made for its creation: Now, some explanation - NOT all Kvass is created equal. Kvass for Okroska, like this one, is intended to be a base for a cold Summer salad of baby greens, sliced hard boiled eggs, cucumbers, spring onions, radishes, boiled potatoes, a meat such as sliced beef, veal, sausages or ham, sour cream & Okroshka Kvass. I have yet to make it, but perhaps this year … At any rate, to expect that Okroshka Kvass is going to be more of the same is wholly wrong-headed.

Color was Brown to Dark Brown (SRM = > 22, < 27), but MUCH closer to 22, with NE-quality clarity & cola highlights. Nose had a sharpish, almost vinegar-like quality. Remember, this is not intended to be drank separately & on its own. Mouthfeel was thin, but not watery, about on par for the style. Taste was very much of vinegar! Phew. Boy, was this one pungent. It had a slight cheesiness that reminded me of some Gueuzes & while that was kind of unexpected, it would taste really good in/with that salad. This was a little tough on its own, but I understood. Sour, vinegar, cheese, that about sums it up! Finish was bone-dry. Phew. This is the one that I would want if I were making Okroshka!