Calling Sputnik and Laika! (Bogatorskoje)

Member Name: dangaroo

Product:	Bogatorskoje
Date:	11/05/09 (7 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The taste is a bit more interesting than just strong

Disadvantages: Still very much a budget beer

Bogatorskoje is one of the strongest beers on offer from Viru, largely targeting Estonia's Russian population (of which there are quite a lot in the north east), this beer is actually written in cyrillic. At 8%, it's not as strong as the brewery's Bear Beer 10% but it's still got a fair kick to it.

It's dark opaque bottle looks quite sinister and gives off a bit of a tramp juice vibe but the taste is a bit less uncouth than you may expect. A sweet fruity bread like taste can be unearthed and some of the alcohol content can be tasted too but not so much that it makes you feel like you are drinking petrol!

The body is slightly creamy but at the same time a little watery - like guiness when you get past the early part. It's a little bit malty but not too sweet. This is pretty good for a strong lager but it seemed like very much a regional beer and I did find it a little odd it was directed at the countries Russian population!

In the likelihood of you visiting Estonia and wanting to try this, it's not one of Estonia's best beers but it's not as poisonous as it appears either!

Summary: Not too bad