Day 34, 2.3.11., Baltika - 6 - Porter

Baltika is a beer brand out of Russia, which appears to be a pretty major brand in the former USSR.  I base this assumption on their HILARIOUS website which features the following:

-Hip club beats
-White sand beaches and crystal blue waters
-Jetskis
-Low-rise jeans
-Wet transparent shirts barely covering the breasts of a model

So I can only assume that the Baltika brand is something like the Budweiser of Russia.  With two major differences.  First, Baltika comes in a myriad of styles, from light lagers to this porter to stout.  And they're numbered for your convenience (porter is 6).  Secondly Baltika differs heavily from Budweiser in that it is really very good.
I found the porter to be an almost textbook example of a porter.  It is dark in color yet light in body and has notes of coffee and molasses on the nose.  On the palate is a quite strong malt bitterness, along with roasty notes.  It finishes smooth and dry.  It's just lovely.  A surprisingly high 8 out of 10.