Baltika #6 Porter - Baltika Breweries

woodychandler

Pennsylvania

5/5  rDev +38.1%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5

The picture, with the red foil and label, is how I will always remember this beer. With # 9, I said that I felt that they make better products and this one is the prime example. When I was in school in PGH, we used to frequent the Bloomfield Bridge Tavern and this was one of the best bargains in the cooler. Many a Baltika # 9 was purchased for take-away.

It poured with a finger's worth of thick, deep-tan head with decent retention. The color was a deep, dark brown with ruby highlights. The nose had a cocoa, chocolate, roasty aspect to it, making my mouth water in anticipation. The mouthfeel was medium with a boatload of chocolate and dried fruit flavors, like raisins and prunes on the palate. The finish was pleasantly sweet, chocolaty, raisiny, and downright delicious. Given its price, this is a true bargain and one that is worth seeking out. More, more, more!

Serving type: bottle

02-06-2008 22:36:11 | More by woodychandler

JISurfer

South Carolina

4.85/5  rDev +34%
look: 5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Gotta give it to the Ruskies man, they can make a nasty(in the good sence) brew! The color was a black color, noth letting any light what so ever through it, kind of like a black hole. The head was tan, thick and frothy in the beginning and lasted the whole drink. The head did trail off a little towards the end, but was still a solid covering. The smell was not alcoholy at all. It was more geared towards plums, grapes, and other "dark" fruits. The taste was very similar, but a little heavier on the malt side. It has a nice sweet taste to it, but nothing too sweet, just right. I would say this is one well balanced out beer. Overall a great beer to explore. Every temperature change in the brew ushers in new tastes.

Serving type: bottle

01-14-2004 03:02:11 | More by JISurfer

pmcadamis

Illinois

4.7/5  rDev +29.8%
look: 5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

A - A monstrous four finger brown head rises above a dark, dark brown (almost, but not quite black) brew. This head is solid, creamy, heavy, and very beautiful. It shows excellent retention...it never fell below a solid fat finger of heavy brown whipping cream. A swirl leaves thick sheets of foam on the glass that slide down and leave a nice web-work of brown lace behind. Awesome.

S - Dark chocolate is what I smell initially, followed by some lightly roasted grains and a big fresh black-bread bakery aroma. Raisinette chocolate covered raisin candy, and thick fresh chocolate chip cookies.

T - The aroma is nice, but I wasn't prepared for the stunning flavors presented here! Gooey warm chocolate chip cookies, chocolate ice-cream lightly drizzled in chocolate syrup and caramel. Behind the fresh bakery and confectionery flavors, there are some nice roasty notes that suggest coffee and campfire smoke, and more dark fruits come out as it warms. Some grassy hops provide a bit of balance and keep the abundance of sugary flavors from becoming cloying. The finish is all port and brandy. Lush, warming, a bit grapey, and very comforting.

M - Full bodied, lush, lightly carbonated, and sugar-coated. I can feel a lot of residual sugars coating my mouth, but the slight twinge of alcohol and a very green-grassy hop note keep it lively.

D - Although it's not cloying, it's not a session beer. I could drink one of these with some chocolates or a cigar. I also think that it could stand up to a burger or steak, but this is one that I would like to savor on it's own. A chocolate lover's dream.

Serving type: bottle

09-10-2007 15:56:26 | More by pmcadamis

Metalmonk

North Carolina

4.68/5  rDev +29.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 4.5

Bottled March 24 '07, so I'm just a month shy of the Best Before date. Produces a two-finger head off a normal pour, fluffy with a firm surface of what looks like the moon's surface. Body is a deep dark brown veering toward black, exhibiting ruby hues. Lace clings thick and tight as the head minimizes slowly.

Aroma is of brownies, cocoa and pumpernickel bread. A clean, lager-y vibe.

This is a sweet porter from the get-go, but not unbalanced or unpleasantly so. Despite a sensible ABV (7%), the alcohol rolls in to play a part in the flavor, accenting the following: mild black licorice, cocoa/chocolate, dark pumpernickel, cream, black cherry, other dark fruits, latte. This is incredible. Wave after wave of flavor keeps coming, twisting the noted flavors in different combos every time.

Feels lean and slick, carbonation just barely there, not getting in the way at all. It's creamy, but not big and sticky as some creamier textures can be. Leaves a long cherry/chocolate liqueur-like finish.

Chocolate milk for grownups. This is simply outstanding, a fantastic example of the style (as I know the style so far). The perfection in flavor and feel tips this one over the edge into world-class territory.

Serving type: bottle

02-20-2008 23:42:00 | More by Metalmonk

maddamish

Tennessee

4.6/5  rDev +27.1%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This is one of the best porters I have ever had. I would stack this up against any other porter out there.

Taste: Very complex and smooth. Coffee, chocolate, malt and brown sugar all combine to make an enjoyable beer drinking experience.

Please pick this up if you see it in the store. This is what a porter should be...

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2006 23:02:37 | More by maddamish

dreadnatty08

District of Columbia

4.58/5  rDev +26.5%
look: 4 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Best before 03/24/08 (one year post production)
Pours a ruby tinged dark brown, slightly translucent with a medium tan head, quite luscious looking. Aromas start off with a bang with tons of licorice and caramel. Medium notes of alcohol carrying lots of dark fruits, finishing nearly port-like. Grain-wise, quite a bit of roasted grain, nothing near burnt aromas, and no hops detected. Overall, a really nice aroma. On the palate, a creamy sweetness hits you first with an overall sherry like feel. Moderate to low carbonation and just truly dextrinous. It finishes with the roasted and highly kilned malts coming through in complexity with quite a bit of warmth at the end. An excellent porter, glad to try this and nice to see it holds up for nearly a year with grace.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2008 15:55:20 | More by dreadnatty08

KarlHungus

Minnesota

4.5/5  rDev +24.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours a black color with a light tan head. The aroma is of roasted malt, nuts, and cream. The taste is similar to the aroma. The mouthfeel is a little less than full bodied with low carbonation. Overall, this is really good beer. It has a nice relaxing quality to it.

Serving type: bottle

07-25-2005 21:17:33 | More by KarlHungus

ZAP

Minnesota

4.47/5  rDev +23.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

I'm really liking these Baltic Porters...this is another dandy,,,black in color with a nice tan head...good nose...I get some mild molasses, sweet cocoa, and sweet sugars....also a tich of alcohol is present on the nose...mouthfeel is creamy, smooth and pretty thick....some alcohol emerges on the taste as it develops almost a slight doppelbock like flavor profile....a lot of Molasses and sugars on the flavor....highly drinkable... a hell of a beer....would definitely drink again and seek out...

Serving type: bottle

02-25-2003 21:16:12 | More by ZAP

steinlifter

Massachusetts

4.47/5  rDev +23.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

This poured dark as night, almost pitch black...big frothy tan head, that left broken lacing all the way down.
Smell: Was of coffee, and molasses.
Taste: Beautiful,...initial hop presence...mellowing to a slightly bitter coffee flavor...that continues to mellow to a slight molasses-like sweetness...finishes nice and smooth!
Mouthfeel...is bubbly crisp...good creaminess comes in, again, smooth finish.
Drinkability....just wonderful!..way better than I had even hoped for....easily the best beer from this brewery that I have had...a good solid quality Porter!

Serving type: bottle

09-02-2006 23:05:00 | More by steinlifter

tavernjef

Minnesota

4.45/5  rDev +22.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Color pours dark syrupy brown turning blackish as it levels into the glass, head is a supernatural light brown, much like that of parchment paper, so sad to see it go so fast. Leaves huge sheets of lace; nice. Smell is gorgeous with dark fruits, I detect cherry, melon, star fruit, and for sure bananas, hardly anything else, but who cares, this is awesome, its like a frickin fruit salad, super enchanting and pleasing nose. Tastes like no other I've had, mostly up front of banana and light, sweet roasted malt, very unusual and interestingly yummy. A bit like candied fruits but no sugary stuff, just the fruit, dark and rich. The feel is medium and quite full, very smooth and easy - no tricks to this creation. One fine porter with a bit of a different approach then most, and kudos to that. Loved this stuff!

Serving type: bottle

05-04-2003 16:10:16 | More by tavernjef

Viking

Indiana

4.45/5  rDev +22.9%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Dark brown (almost black) body with garnet-hued highlights. Head is thick, sticky, and light brown. Head retention is solid, leaving small trails and patches of lace. Smell of roasted barley, with notes of chocolate, coffe, and some not-quite-discernable fruit aroma. Strong flavor of roasted barley. Notes of chocolate and that mysterious fruit also present. Noticeable alcohol flavor in the bittersweet chocolatey/fruity aftertaste. Mouthfeel is smooth, but rather lighter and less viscous than I'd like to have in a big bad porter. Overall this beer, simply put, is outstanding.

Serving type: bottle

05-13-2003 08:44:25 | More by Viking

jsp2

Virginia

4.45/5  rDev +22.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Very dark brown poured into the glass, yet light can faintly get through held up to direct source. Rich and foamy slightly brown head that leaves lace up the sides. Aroma of sweet coffee, and raisins. Taste is sweet, buttery, and roasty, with a sweet delicious aftertaste. Full of flavor yet still drinkable. The flavor is absolutely superb and has notes of vanilla as well. Light enough to put away many.

Absolutely delicious, a great example of a very enjoyable style. The flavor of this one has a rich butter vanilla element that really sets it apart.

Serving type: bottle

02-15-2009 23:45:39 | More by jsp2

fretlessman71

Colorado

4.43/5  rDev +22.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4

APPEARANCE: Clear Dr. Pepper brown with a HUGE tan head. Terrific lacing.

AROMA: Not as strong as I’d expected. Faint malt, maybe a little bit of metallic, some esters, alcohol a teeny bit.

FLAVOR: Oh, THAT’S better! (Maybe my nose is defective.) Rich semi-roasted chocolate malt, touch of vanilla, dark fruit, and a bit of alcohol. Just enough to let you know that it’s there and that this is a sipper. Good warming feeling from the alcohol. As the beer warms a little bit of coffee flavor pushes through. Maybe a touch of licorice. Wonderful!


MOUTHFEEL: Big. Smooth. Luxuriant. Big carbonation. Good stuff.

DRINKABILITY: Not bad at all for a Baltic – the 7% ABV is a little on the low side, and if I could see myself having a second big beer in an evening, I’d certainly not object to having a second one of these.

OVERALL COMMENTS: Oh, if only it were cold enough to have a fire going… this is the kind of beer that would taste best with a ski lodge around it. Definitely worth a repeat purchase!

Serving type: bottle

10-07-2005 19:08:30 | More by fretlessman71

jglazer75

Wisconsin

4.43/5  rDev +22.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

In my neck of the woods, we don't see a whole lot of Russian beers, let alone Russian porters. Since I've been on a bit of a porter kick lately, I thought I'd give it a shot.

First, the bottle looks a little different from the one pictured - instead of a red label, mine had a black label - though it was the same in most other respects.

It pours a dark black with a big cream/light brown head that laces decently. When I say dark, I mean dark - it is not translucent in the slightest. Holding it up to sunlight is of no use, you can't see through the thing. It has a huge nose, smelling of malt and bread and coffee. There is no sweetness or hoppiness to the smell whatsoever. It tastes, more or less, exactly as it looks and smells. Big malt and coffee flavor that coats your mouth, though not in a medicinal way. A slightly bitter aftertaste that comes from the roasted grains. It has a slight carbonation that keeps it light enough to be drinkable, though at 7% abv, you probably can't drink too many of them.

As far as porters go, this is one of my favorites.

Serving type: bottle

09-26-2006 19:56:23 | More by jglazer75

Globetrotter

Virginia

4.4/5  rDev +21.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

My favorite Russian beer - and I live in Russia. The beer comes out of the bottle smoothly, with a nice dark reddish-brown hue and a healthy reddish-tan head that dissipates neither fast nor slow into a very nice lace most of the way down the glass. The aroma is full, with a touch of nut. The taste is full-bodied and smooth - cherries, nuts. a touch of chocolate. All of this with nice hoppy undertones. It's strong, but not overpowering, and the alcohol comes naturally, rather than being suger induced like most Russian "strong" beers. Just don't have more than two. In an ocean of bad Russian beers, Baltika #6 is a most welcome oasis.

Serving type: bottle

04-05-2003 09:15:57 | More by Globetrotter

TheBungyo

Washington

4.4/5  rDev +21.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

Pours almost completely opaque black. A nice inch and a half head caps it off like a crown. Nose is full of sugary fruits, and a bit of roastiness. I find it very inviting! The taste is at first plum-like, then a bit of coffee, followed by a finish that brought to mind burnt chocolate chip cookies. If there was just a bit of bitterness the taste would be perfect in my opinion. Either way though, its still a lovely porter. Mouth is light on carbonation, and a little slick. I could definitely have another and will buy this again. I think I have a new favorite porter!

Serving type: bottle

04-10-2006 02:55:26 | More by TheBungyo

drseamus

New York

4.4/5  rDev +21.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Beer was poured from a 22oz bottle. There was no reassuring psst when the cap was opened.

The body of the beer was dark brown with a very thin tan head that disappeared quickly.

The aroma smelled of roasted malts and was pleasingly sweet.

The taste was heavy of roasted malts with hints of dark fruits and dark chocolate with a very sweet and malty aftertaste.

The beer is of medium to heavy body initially but tends toward the thin side as it sits in you mouth.

Overall, the drinkability is excellent. I would have this again whenever it is offered although at 7% ABV, moderation might be considered.

Serving type: bottle

12-06-2006 23:17:52 | More by drseamus

xvoltronx

Illinois

4.4/5  rDev +21.5%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

APPEARANCE - Black. So much so that not even direct light seems to penetrate. Smooth pour with a thin, beige head. Light carbonation.

SMELL - Full. Rich with a distinctly "roasted", slightly bitter aroma.

MOUTH FEEL- Exquisite. Smooth, yet robust, with a warm and slightly nutty start. Smooth, tart finish with a hint of hoppy bitterness. One of the smoothest tasting beers I have ever encountered, as it is smooth and approachable from start to finish. A bold beer with abundant character, yet refined and tastefully subdued.

OVERALL - This is what craft beer is supposed to incite in drinkers; a wonderful flavor and an obvious earmark of careful consideration, expertise and pride in craftsmanship on the part of the brewer. I highly recommend Baltika #6 as both an excellent starting point for those who are interested in trying dark beers and as a new staple in the routine samplings of dark beer lovers.

Serving type: bottle

03-30-2011 17:16:17 | More by xvoltronx

MurphyKieran

Ireland

4.38/5  rDev +21%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 5

500ml bottle.

This is about the only Baltic Porter/Imperial Stout I've tasted (boy I need some new beer to taste!) but I find it an amazingly tasty and drinkable beer even with my limited experience of that particular style.

It pours with quite a nice head but in my experience has a tendency to settle down to nothing. But what the heck, it still tastes delicious and has a wonderful sweet tang that means that it's a great match for rich desserts like Christmas pudding or rich chocolate cake or similar.

For a beer with a relatively high ABV, it's amazing how smoothly it goes down by the pint glass. I could suck down a few pints of this in a night easilt compared with something like Guinness Foreign Extra Stout which has a similar ABV but which is a lot bitterer and heavy tasting (despite being a fine beer in it's own right).


KM.

Serving type: bottle

01-28-2006 01:15:08 | More by MurphyKieran

feloniousmonk

Minnesota

4.35/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Color is dark as dark can be, beneath a big, bubbly, crackling tan head. Aroma is full of cocoa, nuts, and sweet candyish flavors. Medium body, light in texture, but really tasty, rich, satisfying. The ABV is 7%, but I didn't feel it in the least. Wait a minute...okay, now I do! Very tasty, and a welcome surprise, an excellent porter, an enjoyable beer!

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2003 22:40:17 | More by feloniousmonk

WesWes

New York

4.35/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

The beer pours a deep dark black color with a thick frothy tan head that slowly fades to lacing. The aroma is good. It has a nice rich malty scent that seems a bit dry, but full of caramel and black malts. It has a roasted, toastey aroma. The taste is great. It has an extremely smooth and creamy flavor that is full of sweet crystal and black malts. It goes down easy and hides the elevated abv. . The mouthfeel is fine. It is a full bodied beer with adequate carbonation. This is a damn good beer and a bit of a surprise. It is a great drinker.

Serving type: bottle

12-01-2004 01:18:52 | More by WesWes

arguemaniac

Virginia

4.35/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

Appearance: Quite nearly entirely black, but there is a very deep ruby hue as well (though you gotta hold the glass up to a light to see it). A thick, creamy light brown head which turn to a nice lace.

Aroma: Sweet caramel, with some roasty notes. A bit of chocolate too.

Taste and Mouthfeel: Ahhh, rich, thick, oily, and very flavorful: words that barely begin to describe the amazing mouthfeel. As for the taste; a heavy, sweet caramel flavor, with some chocolate. An overall roastiness rounds out the other flavors. Some hop bitterness, but it is eclipsed by the overwhelming maltiness of this brew.

Wow, what a fantastic beer: rich, thick, and delicious. Superb. Highly recommended.

Serving type: bottle

04-09-2005 01:33:18 | More by arguemaniac

Ellbert

Ohio

4.35/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5

A: The appearance is very dark black, almost a stout. The head left something to be desired.

S: Very roasted and sweet in the nose.

T: A lot of burn caramel and alcohol spice. Very good and balance. A nice sweetness works its way in the taste.

M: A little slick and full.

A great beer.

Serving type: bottle

07-30-2006 03:23:05 | More by Ellbert

weeare138

Pennsylvania

4.35/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Picked up for $2.29 at Surf Beverage in Murrells Inlet, SC.
Appears a dark brown with auburn toned edges when held to the light. A 2 finger, tan head slowly fades into a foamy clump of bubbles. Scattered rings of marshmallow-like protein sticks along the glass.
Smell is of caramel, cocoa, raisins, vanilla, nougat, cashews, and cool cucumber.
Taste is of teh same aromas with smooth caramel, vanilla, cocoa, and cashews resonating. Pretty nice stuff.
Mouthfeel is medium-full bodied, smooth, cocoa-like, airy, and fluffy during the finish.
Did I have a different beer than most others that reviewed this? I thought it was well done and it was a bargain.

Serving type: bottle

08-29-2007 21:37:47 | More by weeare138

jeranbrews

New York

4.35/5  rDev +20.2%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

A - thick foamy creamy beige head dark rich soy sauce color

S - wow. Like an old oak ship. Peaty and smokey.  Bottle smells of peppermint and cinnamon. Brown sugar.

T - sweet coco and maple syrup along with tanned leather and raw Hyde. Bitter from meaty hops and from roasted malt
Initially sweet then progressively bitter and rich then finally smooth with warmth.  Aftertaste umami and sweetness

M - some nice alcohol warmth but no burn. Smooth creamy rich silky slides down the throat.  

D - fantastic really fantastic I want this on a cold night. Wrapped in a blanket minus twenty outside and me with this beer.

Serving type: bottle

11-11-2010 12:55:20 | More by jeranbrews