Grotwerg Premium
Memminger Brauerei

Picked up in Moscow's best beer kiosk, this German standard brown half liter bottle sports a blue and silver label in the shape of a shield, featuring a knight in armor holding a frothy mug. The neck and front labels are in German, while the back label is in Russian. Purity law applies. Best before 4/4/06, I opened it on 9/2/05.

Pours clear gold under a one finger white head that fades a bit on the slow side but leaves no trace of lace. None. The nose is nice, strongly reminiscent of fresh bread. The mouth is light and very prickly. The beer starts with a good strong grainy malt opening featuring a slightly sweet element. This is followed by a fairly substantial hoppy bitter finish, which does not last long into the aftertaste, leaving the field to a resurgence of sweet grain. Very drinkable.