Today I have a special entry in my virtual beers of the globe.  My coworker Luba, who was born in Moscow, Russia, recently visited her homeland for a few weeks and graciously brought me a beer. 

It is pronounced Zhiguli Barnoe and hails from the brewery Moskovskaya
Pivovarennaya Kompaniya (Moscow Brewing Company).  They are a young brewery, founded in 2008, claiming to be Russia’s most modern brewery.

Appearance: I decided to serve this chilled in appropriate Pilsner style glassware.  As you can see from the picture, a nice bone white head was produced from a moderate pour.  The camera lighting does not do
with color justice.  It is actually a very nice polished gold with orange hues throughout. 

Smell: As I stand to take the pictures, I can sense the
European funk wafting from the glass.  A closer smell reveals a grassy and flowery aroma. 

Taste: bold sweet malts with a flash of raw grain and a
twang of herbal malts in the back.  It is actually quite flavorful for the typical Euro pale lager.  The grain on the palate is rather appealing to me.  The flavor profile does wane as it warms up, though, leaving an undercooked bread dough quality.

Not a bad brew from the Mother Land.  I want to thank Luba for her generosity in bringing me this once in a lifetime brew. While you can find Zhiguli in the US, it doesn't seem to be widely distributed.

A very good Russian brewery that can be found more easily in the states is called Baltika.  They have a whole line up of beer styles from the brewery located in St Petersburg.  The “#9 Extra” strong ale is very nice. 

Adam Shugan is store manager at our Silver Springs Blvd store in Ocala.