Style: Euro Strong Lager
ABV: 12%
Origin: Biržai, Lithuania
Pours a deep golden color with an slightly tan head that disipates quickly. Little visible carbonation.
Smells of caramel, candied fruit and earthy notes of barley and wet hay.
Taste is strong and very sweet with malted barley and notes of caramel and fruity (most notably apple-ish) flavors. Mild hops and a hint of alcohol in the aftertaste. Hard to believe it could get any better, but it does as it warms close to room temperature!
Mouthfeel is a medium to heavy body with only a slight presence of carbonation. A slight burn, as expected from the high ABV.
If I didn't know better, I would have thought this was an English Barleywine. The sweetness, strength of flavor and heavy body would certainly suggest that it was a barleywine ale, but it is a strong, high-fermentation lager. I'm amazed that this beer is priced at under $2.50 for a 16.9 oz. bottle. The grist bill must be enormous for such a heavy, flavorful brew! At 12% ABV, I'm sure its recent popularity stems from those who just want a quick, cheap buzz. However, this is definitely a beer worthy of attention for its quality, complexity and unique character. This beer has just hit the very top of my list of favorite brews!
From the importer website:
Brewed by Polish license and authentic 16th-century Polish recipe used in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Orange-gold. The smell is of rich full caramel malt. The hops are very balanced, giving it a mild floral flavor with some spice, but very understated. Not overly yeasty - again, very balanced. The taste is of fruity esters in a rich caramel brew. Alcohol flavor is not prevalent despite being 12% ABV. Overall, the flavor is outstanding. Naturally fermented.
Importer website: http://aikoimporters.com/