Dobrynya Nikitich Kvas - Deka Brewery

NeroFiddled

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Dobrynya Nikitich is one of the most famous medieval warriors, or bogatyrs, of Russian lore; and it's his cartoon-like picture that graces the label.

Dobrynya Nikitich is slightly more carbonated than most of the other kvass I've tasted, and it looks very much like a cola as it's poured. It even retains its tan head for a few moments afterwards. Once the head has dropped, you can see the bubbles rising towards the surface and then breaking as they hit. The color is a little bit darker than most, displaying a fairly opaque dark-brown body that falls somewhere around 40 SRM.

The aroma is malty and fruity with lots of caramel syrup. It's reminiscent of a porter; although I think it reminds me much more of Samuel Adams Triple Bock, just not as rich or strong.

The flavor is as the aroma suggests, and it's bready and caramelish with a bit of sugar to it. There are notes of cocoa and a slight roastiness as well. The fruitiness is reminiscent of red fruits (apples, berries, and a bit of strawberry and cherry) with just a hint of tang to it. In that way its more like the smoother versions I've found. There isn't as much separation between the malt and the fruit; or between the sugar and the tang. And it's also very clean and there are no funky edges to it at all. Nor does it finish with the lingering, sticky maltiness that many do. There's a touch, yes, but it's not bothersome at all.

In the mouth it's fairly characteristic of the style, although perhaps more "medium-light" than "light-medium" in body. Surprisingly, the additional carbonation doesn't add much; although I do find a burp with this that I have not experienced in other examples.

Overall it's fairly impressive. It's got just a touch more body and flavor with a more interesting, complex maltiness.

Serving type: bottle

06-02-2011 13:03:50 | More by NeroFiddled