Baltika #6 Porter - Baltika Breweries

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

Mora2000

Texas

3.78/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours dark brown with a beige head. The aroma is mainly roasted malt with some coffee. The flavor is heavy on the roasted malt. Not as much coffee or chocolate in the flavor as I was expecting. The alcohol is well hidden. Medium mouthfeel and carbonation. Fairly cream finish.

Serving type: bottle

01-01-2010 17:55:56 | More by Mora2000

zeff80

Missouri

3.95/5  rDev +9.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Poured out a dark brown, almost black color with a caramel colored, bubbly, two-finger head that left sticky rings of white lace.

S - It smelled of tons of chocolate and some caramel. It had a nice floral aroma, too.

T - It tasted of bitter hops with a subtle hint of citrus. Nice caramel and chocolate flavors balance out the hop bite.

M - It was fairly soft and smooth. A medium-bodied beer with an understated bite.

D - This is a good baltic porter. I am really starting to love this style.

Serving type: bottle

11-07-2008 03:17:11 | More by zeff80

metter98

New York

3.7/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

A: The beer is clear but very dark brown in color. It poured with a finger high dense tan head that quickly died down, leaving a large collar around the edge of the glass.
S: There are light to moderate aromas of licorice in the nose.
T: The taste is similar to the smell and also has some hints of roasted malts.
M: It feels medium-bodied and somewhat thin on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer is quite light in body and watery compared to other beers in the style, but this makes it relatively easy to drink. No traces of alcohol are present in the taste.

Serving type: bottle

07-22-2012 20:58:02 | More by metter98

Gueuzedude

Arizona

3.8/5  rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pours with a thick, creamy two-finger thick brown head that sits atop an opaque black beer. The aroma smells of chocolate, and lightly roasted coffee; overall the aroma is fairly subdued. The taste is sweet and creamy up front with a sharp, slightly acidic, roasted note in the finish. The beer has a medium full body that just starts to coat the mouth. This beer is quite drinkable, smooth and creamy it goes down quite easily. There is a lingering burnt note that sticks around long after the beer has left my mouth; this is not a bad thing though, more like a lingering roast coffee note. This beer is quite tasty, though it not as complex and deeply layered as many other examples of the style.

Serving type: bottle

09-13-2005 03:17:50 | More by Gueuzedude

TheManiacalOne

Rhode Island

3.63/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Poured from a 16.9oz bottle into a US tumbler glass.

A: The beer is a deep dark reddish brown color, with a short beige head that fades slowly and leaves a spotty on the glass.

S: The aroma contains roasted malts, dark fruit, coffee and a touch of hops.

T: The taste starts out sweet with flavors of coffee, dark fruit, honey and chocolate. There's a mild but complementary hops presence. The malt character is hearty but a little thin for the style and brings a decent balance. The after-taste is slightly sweet.

M: Crisp and smooth but a little slick, medium body, medium carbonation, finish is slightly sticky.

D: Tasty, goes down easily, not too filling, decent kick, good representation of style, but one of the beers that I've had in the style but it's still solid enough to drink for a while.

Serving type: bottle

08-30-2010 04:05:10 | More by TheManiacalOne

Knapp85

Pennsylvania

3.85/5  rDev +6.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

This beer poured out as a nice dark brown color with a light tan color. The head was creamy and semi-thick looking. The lacing was minimal. The smell of the beer has a decent roasted aroma. The taste of the beer was also smooth roasted and has a good bitterness. The mouthfeel was soft and light carbonated. Overall it's not the best Baltic Porter but it wasn't too bad.

Serving type: bottle

07-19-2011 00:53:27 | More by Knapp85

russpowell

Oklahoma

3.7/5  rDev +2.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Head drops off fast, but I like the tan head, not much carbination,so that lets malt and fruit, especially raisuns and dates come through. Color is brownish,purple??? to black what I want to see in this sort of beer ?? I smell alcohol, malt & iron. This really hits the back of the tounge & throat nicely. The abv is deceptive, could almost drink this a a session beer. Probably the best beer I've had from the baltics.

Serving type: bottle

08-15-2005 03:26:56 | More by russpowell

emerge077

Illinois

3.78/5  rDev +4.4%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

A generous amount of foam, sticky lace, sustained for some time.

Smells a little sweet, slightly roasty. There's a hint of plum that's evident, but not real big.

Roasty malt and sweet plum/fig in the taste. Sweetness is at the threshold, but doesn't overpower. A fine example of a Baltic Porter, i'd say above average.

As it warms, the 7% becomes perceptible. Not overpowering, but gives it an edge. One bottle was enough, I continued the Porter session with a Strzelec Porter. At $1.69, it was a great budget buy.

Serving type: bottle

03-27-2007 03:02:25 | More by emerge077

Halcyondays

California

3.6/5  rDev -0.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4

16.9 oz. bottle,

A: Pours a dark mahogany brown, with a full white/tan head which makes it really inviting, poured into a Chimay chalice.

S: Nice distinct smell of Concord grape juice upon opening the bottle, prunes, molasses and alcohol. Smell has a solventy kick to it at the end.

T: Raisin and molasses start the flavour, with brown sugar and a bit of alcohol coming up the rear, some chocolate in there as well. Kind of kitchen sink of flavours, nothing really distinct.

M: Smooth and creamy, medium-bodied, though it was missing the richness and mouth-coating appeal of others of this style.

D: A lighter Baltic Porter for me, but still a nice specimen, a good beer coming out of Russia, and at $1.49 a bottle, plus tax, the price is right.

Serving type: bottle

01-10-2008 05:09:58 | More by Halcyondays

jwc215

New Jersey

3.35/5  rDev -7.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Best before July 5, 2006 - reviewed a few weeks before that date.
Poured almost black with ruby highlights towards the bottom.
The aroma was of sweet chocolate - To me it almost had a smell of sour milk mixed in.
The taste - IMO - was more reminiscent of a sweet stout than a baltic porter. There were some chocolate notes, but it was not very complex. At first, the alcohol taste was hidden, but became apparent towards the end. The taste wasn't bad - but a bit too covered by sweetness to pick up on anything more than some chocolate and a hint of caramel.
The sweetness lingered on the tongue, but there was a thinness that evened it out.
Overall, it's not bad - an average baltic porter, but nothing to go out of the way for.

Serving type: bottle

06-07-2006 21:53:00 | More by jwc215

tempest

Pennsylvania

3.83/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Got a bottle straight from Russia, basically just making the label even more unreadable.

Pours black red (like Guinness) with a nice tan head and lacing. At 7% it's lighter than the other Baltics I've tried. Reminds me more of a ballsy Schwarzbier, but in a good way. Smells of a tangy cocoa. Tastes of more chocolate, not too heavy. It's a little dry and there's is a slight (very minor) sour fruit edge that makes it interesting. Very smooth and easy to drink, not to mention tasty. Makes a great dessert drink.

Serving type: bottle

10-30-2006 01:09:38 | More by tempest

WVbeergeek

Ohio

3.1/5  rDev -14.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3

Appearance: Deep ruby plum in color with a nice sized tan head leaves a good amount of lacing not a bad look to it. Aroma: Thick layer of toasted malts with fruit and alcohol tinging around the edges. Taste: Sweeter up fron some plum and raisin like tones with chocolate and a mild coffee finish not bad compared to other Baltika products I have had. Mouthfeel: A bit thin for a big baltic porter medium to light in body with steady carbonation, not too impressed by anything. Drinkability: Decent not a warmer like I was expecting a bit of a disapointment.

Serving type: bottle

02-02-2004 22:21:26 | More by WVbeergeek

RblWthACoz

Pennsylvania

3.93/5  rDev +8.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Pours clear but extremely dark brown with a thick tan head. Nose is okay. Nothing crazy. Just some mild malt tones. Hmmm. Unusual. I can't remember the last time a flavor profile made me stop and think so much about what I was drinking. It's nice and robust, yes. There are nice thick tar-ry tones. Strong sweet side that is almost like brown sugar in a way. Thick malty presence. But at first I get an almost cola It's nice. A bit too sweet, but good. Feel is smooth, but at first there was a real odd carbonation. Calms down over time. I like this style and I like this one. It's a bit too sweet, but I can still hang. I'd session this.

Serving type: bottle

03-14-2008 03:50:05 | More by RblWthACoz

smcolw

Massachusetts

2.83/5  rDev -21.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

I'm not sure what a "Baltic" porter is supposed to taste like; but this one is quite different from most porters I've had. Nice near-black color, good lasting beige head. Surprisingly, little lasting lace.

Sweet molasses aroma that is greater than any chocolate or mocha that might be found. A strong level of metal present also.

Sweet, almost like brandy. Some warming alcohol. Reminds me far more of a double bock than a porter. I cannot detect any hops at all.

Too sweet for me, making it more one-dimensional without any complexity.

Serving type: bottle

04-20-2008 21:09:13 | More by smcolw

jdhilt

New Hampshire

3.63/5  rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours with a five-fingered light brown head that fades slowly and leaves some lace. Good carbonation. Black as midnight. Nose is clearly a sweet, roasted coffee. Starts smooth, malty and strong coffee flavor, finishes with a little hoppiness and bitterness. A very good porter.

Serving type: bottle

10-08-2003 23:21:59 | More by jdhilt

rhoadsrage

Illinois

4.1/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

(Served in an imperial pint glass)

A- This beer has a dark black body with a thick creamy head that has a reddish brown hint to it. No carbonation visible through that dense body.

S- The smell of medium dark roasted malt is balanced by a dry caramel note and hints of port. There is a faint nutty quality in there also.

T- This beer has a smooth dark malt flavor with notes of prunes and dried fruit. There is a slight port flavor but not as sweet in the finish. As it warms a bit more dry black currant flavors come out. There are no burnt malt flavors but a slight cream flavor after the malt. No alcohol warmth and a neutral finish.

M- This beer has a full mouthfeel with some creamy texture to it.

D- This beer has lots of great dark malt and dark fruit layers but it is not sweet and in taste smooth and lagered. The complexity and taste remind me of a good port but without all the sweetness and alcohol. This is a good solid beer.

Serving type: bottle

02-26-2006 00:57:56 | More by rhoadsrage

Jason

Massachusetts

3.23/5  rDev -10.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 2.5

Presentation: 16.9 oz bottle with a freshness date on the back label, a little blurb about the beer on the back to.

Appearance: Fast foam to thin ring of lace, the snap and crakle of the head was too quick for me. A shade or two lighter than black, it pours a little like motor oil in the mug.

Smell: Vague chocolate, major steely caramel and lots of sweetness in the aroma. A bit too sweet for my liking.

Taste & Mouthfeel: A palatable creamy smoothness within the full body. Lots of sweet malt, on the dark side of course with rich caramel donning a metallic flavour. Slight burnt and chocolate flavours middle to end, hops are docile with a one way bitterness. Finishes with a light cloying sweetness. The hidden alcohol provides a dark fruitiness which is the most interesting thing about the beer.

Notes: The alcohol is a bit deceiving at 7.0% abv, as I said before a bit too sweet for me which took away from the drinkablity. A small glass of this with a chocolate dessert would be nice.

Serving type: bottle

08-11-2003 02:20:30 | More by Jason

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

Zorro

California

4.1/5  rDev +13.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5

Pours a murky dark brown beer with a tan head.

Smell is sweet and very malty. Additional smells are biscuit, vanilla, chocolate and nuts.

Taste is fairly sweet and chocolate with a bit of coffee too. Fairly fruity too but this brew is dominated by the chocolate flavor. You can feel the alcohol in your mouth but not really taste it. The flavor of this reminds me more of Weizenbock and less of Porter. This is quite a tasty brew though.

Mouthfeel is good and thick.

VERY drinkable brew. In flavor it is nearly a clone of this beer: http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/703/2646/

A beer that true porter lovers will probably hate but Weizenbock lovers will really like this. If you look at my favorite beer preference then you will know that I love the stuff.

Serving type: bottle

08-16-2005 03:14:19 | More by Zorro

Viggo

Ontario (Canada)

3.4/5  rDev -6.1%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

Pours a dark brown/red, big tan head forms, some nice lacing and good retention. Smell is malty, sweet cherry, toffee, roast, chocolate and coffee. Taste is sweet, roasty, some floral, oxidized dates, caramel, not too bad. Mouthfeel is medium bodied with low carbonation, pretty smooth. Not the best Baltic porter but servicable.

Serving type: bottle

07-08-2006 00:22:25 | More by Viggo

Bighuge

Minnesota

4.33/5  rDev +19.6%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

This beer is a deep garnet in color. Seems to be pretty clear. A nice, big creamy brown head graces the top of this beer. The aroma is pleasing. Roasted malts, vanilla bean, chocolate and smoke. The taste is even better. Burnt malt, raisin, toffee, bitter hops, baker's chocolate, tobacco, smoke and brown sugar. Damn near a 5 in taste. The feel in the mouth is good. Lightly carbonated and somewhat creamy. Firm body as well.

Easily, the best Russian beer that has graced my palete.

Serving type: bottle

06-11-2003 20:09:32 | More by Bighuge

Beerandraiderfan

Nevada

2/5  rDev -44.8%
look: 4 | smell: 1.75 | taste: 2 | feel: 1.5 | overall: 2

Big and bold in appearance, jet black mixed in with brown. Rough alcohol smell and not much else.

Taste, slick rubbing alcohol was the first thing that came to mind. Much thinner body than expected. No hops. Lots of alcohol. Tries to have some chocolate come across, but just alcohol.

Its just a rough trip all around, make sure you have some others to help you split it, or a drain pour could happen.

Serving type: bottle

04-02-2010 03:03:28 | More by Beerandraiderfan

BlackHaddock

United Kingdom (England)

3.18/5  rDev -12.2%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

New 'sexy' shaped bottle, picked up from a Russian shop in Antwerp!

Poured into a Westmalle chalice twice: Looked lovelly, deep, darkest ruby red, black in colour unless held up to the light. The tan coloured head was thin at first, then even thinner to give a wisp and collar very quickly, soon there was no head or collar.

The first smell was of licquorice, then coffee, then dark chocolate. The flavours in the taste followed very closely to the aromas, but a whole lot sweeter.

Not creamy or really heavy, a strange body feel really, the 7% ABV is there, but it doesn't push to the fore, nor does it arrive late on, it's just 'there'.

Different, but not the best Baltic Porter I've had by a long way.

Serving type: bottle

04-27-2010 20:42:41 | More by BlackHaddock

lacqueredmouse

Australia

3.68/5  rDev +1.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Cheers to @laituegonflable for the bottle for Xmas.

Pours a dark and devlishly opaque red brown. Only in the thin parts of the glass can you see any light through it, and then it's clouded into obscurity. Head is frothy at first, and settles into a fine-bubbled film on the top that looks pretty sturdy and creamy. Lacing is good, and the body has some good weight behind it. Overall, a decent looking brew.

Dark grain on the nose, with lashings of molasses and tea-leaf, and an odd estery weizen character. Nose is strangely balanced between all these, and it gets a shock of boozy vinous characters as well, leaving it a very odd package all up. Together, they create these phantom characters of chilli pepper and vanilla. Weird.

Taste is similar, although the sweetness is a little more pronounced here and the estery characters of banana come through a little more strongly. Dark grain character on the back, but the booze note sweeps up here as well, leaving it more like a burn of spirits on the finish - sharp dark bitter fruits, a bit of cherry liqueur. Feel is very smooth and soft.

For all its oddities, this is a reasonably pleasant beer. It has a lot of smoothness and a wide swathe of flavours on the palate. Love the complexity, even if the complexity means it ends up a little anarchic.

Serving type: bottle

01-03-2011 07:58:09 | More by lacqueredmouse