Baltika continues to experiment with the tastes of its beer, trying to revive that very unique taste. After the success of Baltika No. 3, it’s time for Baltika 7. Its initial density was increased by 0.5% from 12 to 12.5, but the alcohol content remained the same-5.4%. Stylistically, Baltika No. 7 is a Dortmunder (Export), a stronger version of Helles.
Before the holidays, I was sent a whole box of new Baltika No. 7 in bottles. I put it on the balcony and it was a mistake! To the question of which beer is better a jar or a bottle? Definitely – in the bank. The crate had only been there for three days, and the beer glowed, and the smell of skunk appeared. If you let the beer breathe, the smell goes away, but it’s still unpleasant. The beer is fresh, bottling at 28.02. Clearly “lit up” with me. The bank rules!
For this reason, I bought two canned versions from the store. Both are from Tula (letter Y), although the bottle is from St. Petersburg (at the same time, this is comparable). For cans, the filling date is different – the “old” Baltika 7 is 13.01.2024, and the new one is 21.02.2024.
The first difference is color. The old one is darker. And it’s not the difference in glasses or the play of light. I compared them on a white sheet. New Baltika 7 is slightly lighter.
Smell. Old – wine, sweet, new-malt, pure.
Taste. Old Baltic – sweet, new-drier.
Aftertaste. Old – sweetness, perfumes, light astringency, new-malt, dry, light herbaceous shade, slightly drier.
As for the bottle, in addition to the illuminated aroma, it differs in sensations. Not much, but there is. The bottled version of Baltika 7 is sharper and more sparkling. Perhaps because of the slight difference in carbonation compared to the can.
An interesting feature was noticed by Pavel Yegorov. The carbohydrate content of both is 3.5 g. In theory, this figure correlates with the final density of beer. But if the initial one increased by 0.5%, and the final one remained the same (judging by carbohydrates), then the alcohol content should also increase.
Perhaps Baltika 7 has become a little better, I liked the new version more. I am not a fan of this beer, it seems to me very unbalanced. An imbalance between a malty body and a dry finish. This is my opinion, my taste. I know people who like it. But I would put the score at ” C+”. There is nothing to scold, there are no defects, but also to praise. What is old-new, what is new-old version?
In the advertisement and on the label it says 100% malt and hops grown in Altai. I have heard that there has been progress in the field of hop growing, but I have never seen Altai hops on sale. We can assume that Baltika has fully contracted it, but I can hardly believe it. Even in Chuvashia, where hop production exists, the volume cannot satisfy beer giants. What to say about Altai hops?! It will not be enough to cook Baltika 7! So I don’t believe it!
Today I took the bottles from the middle of the box, where there is no illuminated beer-you can feel that it is fresh.
