One for Ukraine! This is typical of being in a warzone: first, you think of security, then you just don't care. The air raid alerts don't bother the locals much. Or at all. And I'm sitting in a taproom, not knowing when the first alert is on. This is a raspberry imperial stout. Sounds like a treat. So why not? No not, it's yes. Looks exceptionally fizzy. Deep dark brown. A silky fawn head of two fingers emerges on the top and caps the beer's precious aromas underneath for long. Raspberry chocolate, cacao nibs and a suggestion of cold-brew coffee are the key players in this brigade. Biscuit and waffle support in the basement. The tongue enjoys raspberry chocolate – a good load actually – cacao nibs, cappuccino, a bit of cream, blackberry and a whisper of dried cranberry. A biscuity baseline should be recognized as a supportive frontline here. First, I don't get any coffeeish hint but later it starts making itself heard. All in all, seductive. The body is full. Not enormous but full anyway. The finish offers raspberry, chocolate and cacao. And remote coffee. Good up to the end. Feels full, desserty, deep, somewhat fluid and soft. Glues lips, no matter what. Show must go on!  🇺🇦👍🏻

Misty but not entirely hazy, medium-orange beer with a dense moussy head that exceeds two fingers. The long retention maintains a generous crown on the top for long. The scent gives light-crisp aromas, especially moderate grapefruit and orange zest and peel. Citrusy but not aggressive. The taste is a bit awkward: orange zest and peel, lemon pith, orange, resin and a big floral flavor like hibiscus. I assume that there's no hibiscus here. A marginal malty undertone but still a hop-forward piece. The body is medium. Okayish, nothing spectacular at this ABV. The aftertaste is bitter citrusy and only modestly floral. The mouthfeel is medium, medium-crisp, slightly resinous, a tad dry and faintly floral. Well... not exactly a winning potential.

Finally, a craft beer bar in Kyiv 🍺🇺🇦 No flights (this is a war zone... Sorry, my bad joke), so maybe a couple of 33 cl glasses? This is a Pumpkin Ale. A seasonal delicacy. The entire style is difficult to find in Finland. Let's go! Transparent and light copper is the color. A velvety, off-white head falls short of one finger and melts fast to a thin lace ring. A horizontal trace remains on the glass. Pumpkin, peach-flavored ice tea and a bit of sweet biscuit can be sensed in the air. Pumpkin is actually portrayed much more intensive on the tongue. Fruity. As if faint cinnamon there? [I checked the bartender: yes there is!]. Vanilla, orange peel, biscuit and a suggestion of lemon zest complete the cocktail. I'm glad that pumpkin is not shy. The body is medium to medium-full. The finish is slightly more bitter and probably less pumpkin-dominant than the actual taste. The mouthfeel is medium-full, spiced, autumnal, lip-glueing, zesty and smooth. A tasty, well crafted Pumpkin Ale!  🎃

Bon gros Imperial Stout ukrainien.

🇺🇦🇺🇦 on ne peut pas louper la tomate, ça c'est sûr.