Svyetochniy Karkade
Korund ZAO

Comes in a tall brown bottle with a long thin neck and a red and silver label underlining the fact that this is an ale. The name refers to the hibiscus flower, which is listed as an ingredient (along with sugar). Best before 6/30/05, I opened it on 3/16/05.

Pours a cloudy dark copper hue under a very thin half-finger off-white head that enjoys the light of day for only a brief moment before fading to nothingness. The nose is quite medicinal, like herbal tea with a hint of sweet fruit. The mouth is light and prickly. The flavor is quite overpowering: sour currants and hibiscus. Tastes like a carbonated tea with fruit syrup. The sweetness fades faster than the sour, living an almost sour cherry finish and an herbal iced tea aftertaste. Not much beerlike here, but I could see some people liking it. Just not me.