Staraya Krepost Klassichiskoye Zhivoye
Picked up on a visit to the Trannistrian separatist region of Moldova. A shopkeeper told me this was the only Transnistrian brew, and that everyone drinks it. He, however, had none to sell. Fortunately, I found some in a kiosk near the massive Soviet war memorial and across the street from the Lenin statue in the capital of Tiraspol. It comes in a Soviet-standard chubby brown half liter bottle with a green and red label featuring a double-headed eagle perched on a wreath around the name. Ingredients conform to the purity law, with the hops identified specifically as pilsner. Best before 9/27/07, thats the day I opened it. Pours a cloudy pale orange gold under a one finger white head with decent body and retention, but no lace. The nose is mild but distinctly of sweet grape, with hints of bad watermelon. The mouth is light and quite prickly, a lot like sparkling water. The taste is mild and sweet, definitely grape juice, definitely bad watermelon. There is very little in the way of grain or hops. The aftertaste is mild and fruity, slightly sweet and somehow unpleasant. It is vaguely drinkable but hardly worth seeking out, despite the political context.