A Solid Beer, but Not Worth the Price - My Take on Baltika 4

I headed to the pub on Friday, and as usual, they had a great selection of beers. This time, I decided to try something new - Baltika 4's Barley Ale. I'd heard mixed reviews, but I'm always up for an adventure, especially when it comes to beer.

Baltika 4 Barley Ale

Baltika's been experimenting with their 'numbered' series for a while now, and some of the results have been pretty impressive. I thought it was worth trying the 4th installment, especially since it's a barley ale.

Baltika 4 Barley Ale The price tag of 101 rubles was a bit steep, especially considering it's a Baltika. I mean, you'd expect a liter for that price.

Baltika 4 Barley Ale

The packaging is pretty straightforward and a bit rugged. By the way, the term 'ale' historically referred to a beer brewed without hops, but over time, brewers started adding hops, just in smaller quantities than in traditional beers.

Baltika 4 Barley Ale

And yes, the bottle size is a decent 0.5 liters. Although, for that price, you'd expect a pint.

Baltika 4 Barley Ale

One of the nice touches is the cap. You don't need to look for a bottle opener, as it's self-opening. I turned it, and voilà! It was ready to drink.

Baltika 4 Barley Ale

First, let's take a look at the ingredients (check out the photo above) - you can wipe the glass clean to get the yeast to settle.

Baltika 4 Rye AleThe moment I opened the bottle, a sweet aroma with hints of caramel hit me. You can almost sniff out a hint of bread crust, although that might just be my imagination playing tricks on me.

honey beeOne thing I noticed is that the head retention is extremely low, just like the carbonation. I poured it and the foam was gone in seconds. I was so distracted that the carbonation had already faded away. Maybe it's better to ditch the glass and drink straight from the bottle?

I almost lost my head from this beerThe color of the drink is a deep, dark brown.

The taste is supposed to be pleasant. The sweet flavor with notes of bread and caramel gives way to a slight spirituousness, but the overall bitterness is balanced out by the hop notes. Of course, you have to consider the relatively low ABV.

Baltika 4 Rye AleBy the way, I noticed that even the back of the cap has the brand's logo. So, Baltika has answered the question about branded caps. They're now easy to open and each one is uniquely numbered.

The salmon was so impressed with this drinkOf course, this beer pairs perfectly with meat dishes, grilled foods, spicy dishes, and aged cheeses. But for me, it was a game-changer when paired with smoked salmon. I initially thought I'd give it 3 stars due to the high price and some drawbacks mentioned in the review. However, when I paired it with the salmon, I was blown away and had to give it 4 stars. I might just have to repeat this combination throughout the summer.So there you have it - four stars and a solid recommendation for those who are looking for a great value for money!