Obolon Kyivske Export
Obolon Brewery

Never seen this one before...Obolon are definitely not my favourite Ukrainian brewer, but at least they are better than Opilia. This is supposedly the export version, in a can. Export tends to usually be better than non-export in most countries, anyway let's try this.

Thin, pale, bubbly appearance. Effervescent without much head. No froth on the side of the glass. Very strange aroma...kind of musky and alcoholic...more like vodka than beer.

Taste is also very unusual. This is much worse than the standard bottled light Obolon. They seem to be exporting the worst of their beer, which actually makes more sense than exporting the best beer. Mouth feel is very thin and watery. No bitterness and almost no hops flavour. How would I describe the flavour? Straw, super light Mexican type malt. Kind of like Corona but weaker hops and flavour. A little barley malt extract flavour like the milk from the end of Weetabix or Cornflakes. Very very very easy drinking? No. Actually it is quite difficult to drink. The yeastiness just tastes like poison, the hops have no taste and the malt tastes like almost nothing. Now drinking the usual Obolon from a bottle, in the same glass to compare.

SO much more colour, head and so so much more hops. Try them together. The difference is immense. Ukraine are obviously exporting their worst beer to other countries. Makes total sense. And anyone who buys it is basically being scammed as the "Export" is among the worst beers I have ever had...though their Svitle light from a bottle is totally drinkable and amazing in comparison.

Finally a beer company exports their worst beers and doesn't drink it themselves. Respect for this at least. I would do the same ; )