Maybe not as dark as estonian winter nights, but still quite close to pitch black. Forms very little head, yellowish/brownish, disappears almost immediately, maybe a bit disappointing even for the high abv. Quite potent and straightforward aroma: malty notes with strong but slightly soft-feeling dark chocolate, clean espresso coffee notes, a hint of sweetish fruitiness (fruit cake), a far from timid quite dry hoppy note, though there's maybe a greenish/balsamic hint to it. Taste shows quite some boldness in both sweetness and bitterness, but with good overall balance. Roasted malty notes as per aroma, again with a pleasantly soft (but far from pastry) dark chocolate feeling that takes a slight edge. A bit of caramelly and fruity notes on the sweet side, a pretty dry and pleasantly clean hoppy finish. The slightest hint of alcohol burn is perceptible, enough to give a plesant warming feel but never overwhelming. Clean and well balanced in the overall feeling, quite strong in taste intensity as well (perhaps a bit less than the smell suggested). Quite dense in body, low to medium, quite delicate carbonation; sort of a very "naked" mouthfeel; not bad at all, flavours are clean and nitid, though i was perhaps expecting a bit more fullness/creaminess. A very good, very well made baltic porter, though somehow it couldn't reach the "impressive" grade in my eyes.

Pours a pretty murky and quite unattractive dark copper to light brown. Average sized, off-white/brownish head shows good enough retention and lacing. Pretty good intensity in the aroma with a far from restrained caramelly malts base, fruity notes of grapefruit plus other citric fruits that have more of a jam-like character to them (orange most noticeable), a pretty vivid piney/resinous and slight spicy/peppery background. Pretty intense aroma as mentioned, feels nicely fresh but not 100% well integrated. Taste notes follow the aroma closely. The beer feels nicely vivid and fresh but there are some significant flaws to me: there's both strong sweetness and bitterness but they are not well integrated, alcohol burn is quite perceptible and actually a bit too much for 8.2%, plus the beer feels generally a little unpolished/scarcely defined despite good taste intensity. Medium to dense body with average, quite dense-feeling carbonation; feels overall a bit heavier than most imperial ipas. Overall: basically an imperial red ipa, and a not too polished or well crafted one.

Almost perfectly transparent plain golden. Low to medium sized white head, good enough retention and some lacing. A simple, refreshing aroma with saaz-like hoppiness upfront: floral/meadowy, light grassiness, delicate citric hints, a touch of prickly spiciness; maltiness very much in the background with a bit of hay/straw. Not a very strong aroma, but pleasant in it's light freshness. Taste notes follow the aroma closely, again not high intensity but quite good definition. Light to medium sweetness and bitterness, i'd say both a bit on the low side for the style, with a well balanced, quite neutral overall feeling. Quite light bodied as obvious, not as carbonated as most czech pilsners but still nicely lively; excellent drinkability, which is very much what you'd expect in a vycepni. Overall: felt kind of german in it's delicate, mild character, though still czech in taste. Anyways: simple, refreshing, well made, appreciated.

Nicely looking slightly deep golden, transparent and slightly translucent with just a hint of haziness. Medium or slighlty below medium head, good retention and lacing. Pretty vivid and wonderfully refreshing nose, especially for the low abv, with a fresh flowery, delicately citric (zesty, slight cedar) hoppiness, perhaps with a grassy hint, over a delicate slightly crackery malts base, with hints of straw/hay. Taste follows the aroma closely, sweetness and bitterness are both mild (at least for the average svetly, obviously) but quite discernible, with excellent balance in the mouth and a slightly dry, delicate bittering edge; sadly, also an off-path earthy note in finish/aftertaste, though mild and far from too annoying. Light bodied as obvious, perhaps slightly less than i would have expccted for the abv, medium quite dense-feeling and crispy carbonation, bringing a pleasantly lively feel that doesn't take away from drinkability. Very good stuff!

Super pale golden, sort of fading into white, very transparent. Average sized head, relatively quick to recede, but leaves nice lacing. Nose: strong lavender, then lavender and a bit more lavender, a bit of saltiness and perhaps distant lemonish citricness, all among a very neutral but sort of pleasantly crispy maltiness (yes i know you don't smell crispness, but how else do i describe this?). Taste notes follow the aroma closely. Not too restrained sweetness, light and delicate sourness brings attenuation and cuts sweetness pleasantly. Lavender brings a kind of fresh, almost mint-like feel. All in all, kind of simple and very straightforward, but clean, well made and nicely refreshing at that. Quite light body, light to medium, delicately crispy carbonation; feels super easy to drink and delicately lively in the mouth. Simple and kind of 'obvious'? Yes. But well made, pleasant and refreshing. Not a fan of beers that are heavily adjunct oriented usually, but to me this one was nailed, though indeed i'm not sure this is something i would look for again.

A relatively pale, at least per style, golden, a bit translucent through light. Moderate haziness, but still transparent. Medium sized quite dense looking white head, showing good retention and nice lacing. Fresh and quite intense aroma. Hoppiness taking the main stage with very green, almost sorf of 'lymphatic' grassiness, citric, slightly cedar-like notes, a bit of spicy prickliness; there's also a not too timid malty base though, with a cerealy, slightly white-bread like character and a hint of rustic worty reminiscence. Hoppiness still shines in the overall feeling. Taste notes as per aroma: again, nice intensity and excellent freshness, quite good flavour definition though with that pleasant aforementioned rustic touch. Nice sweet/bitter balance in the mouth, a very light bittering edge in finish/aftertaste. Quite light body, average, relatively thick-bubbled carbonation; feels lively crispy and overall quite easy to drink. Not really a flaw, but admittedly i'd expect a bit more drinkability and a slighlty lighter feeling in a 10°. On the overall: still a super nice, vividly saazy, refreshing and slightly rustic vycepni. Excellent!

Deep golden colour, slightly hazy but still transparent. Average sized, quite frothy white head, shows good enough retention and nice lacing. Average intensity in the aroma: a deeper than usual malty base, with a slightly fragrant feeling hay/straw base, cerealy hints, perhaps a bit of worty reminiscence. But also distinct hoppiness, with dry floral notes and just a hint of fresh grassiness. Ok but not excellent in definition. Gets a bit better in taste, with now quite good intensity and definition. Taste notes as per aroma, with a hint of honey adding to malty depth. Relatively (per style) high sweetness and bitterness, with good overall balance in taste and a pleasantly dry finish/aftertaste. Light to medium body with slightly below average, soft/delicate carbonation, resulting in a pleasantly soft but still pretty smooth mouthfeel. Overall: a malty leaning interpretation of the style, with malty depth shining over hoppy notes, but with a dry balancing bitterness that doesn't quit. And well executed at that. Relatively bold but well balanced. Good stuff!