Shimkentskoye Dark
Shimkentsira

Standard brown half liter bottle with a cool brown, gold and white label featuring barley, hops, and the sun plus eagle symbol found on the Kazakhstani flag. The word “Dark” appears in English, while the rest of the main label is in Russian. The back and neck labels are in both Kazakh and Russian. Ingredients conform to the purity law. Best before 11/02/03, I opened it on 9/14/03.

Pours a nice light brown hue under an off-white head that starts with big bubbles, but settles to thin and creamy, leaving some drops of lace around the glass. Nice nose of caramel and barley. The mouth is a bit prickly, but smooth and medium-bodied. The initial taste is slightly sweet with caramel and roasted nuts, followed by a strong barley taste. The finish is smooth and sweet, with a touch of hops. Aftertaste is malty. Quite a pleasant brew.