I received a sample of the new Baltika No. 3 this week. Baltika is the former Russian State-owned brewery, part of the Carlsberg Group since April 2008. It takes the unusual branding route of numbering its beers rather than giving them a more distinctive name or style reference. Baltika No.3 Classic is a pale Euro lager. It is brewed under licence at Independent Breweries Australia. While the label clearly indicates its local provenance, the marketing information is seems confused, referring to it as an international premium beer. I don’t mean to raise the import/brewed-under-licence debate (pasteurised lagers of this type don’t travel well; when brewed here the ingredients and techniques are high quality; given the processes it goes through, source water barely matters anymore – and if you enjoy it it really doesn’t matter where it comes from) but just because a brand is international, doesn’t make the beer international. No one would claim McDonalds an international dining experience. Still watch for it to join Stella, Becks, Heineken, Carlsberg and Kirin under “imported beers” on the beer list at any pub or restaurant that stocks it.
So far as taste goes, it is as you would expect of a reasonable quality Euro lager of the type. Nicely balanced, if a little thin (“refreshing and sessionable” in the marketing speak) this is certainly a good beer to drink thoughtlessly around a barbeque or watching the footy. Though, with nothing particularly distinctive about it apart from its label, I’m not sure what would make it stand out on bottleshop shelves groaning under the weight of similar Euro-style lagers…but that is the skill of the marketers.
MEDIA RELEASE
The Famous Beer of Russia is here
Monday 22nd June
Russia’s number one beer brand, Baltika, is being launched in Australia with the introduction of Baltika Classic 3.
A product of the new emerging Russia, Baltika is modern, sophisticated and internationally recognised on the global beer stage. Virtually unheard of in Australia, Baltika is the number one beer brand in Russia and has recently overtaken Heineken as the number one beer brand in Europe°. It is also the 15th most valuable beer brand globally*.
Baltika 3 Classic, a traditional European lager, is the most famous of the Baltika range of which there are ten. Baltika is the largest brewer in Eastern Europe and is headquartered in St Petersburg, Russia.
The decision to launch Baltika in Australia comes at an opportune time for the Russian beer company – the interest and subsequent sales in international premium beers continues to increase in the Australian market. Additionally, much of this growth is contingent upon new, interesting and clearly differentiated entrants for consumers to discover.
The launch will be supported by an investment of $200,000. A suite of marketing activity will include print and radio advertising, sponsorship of the Russian Film Festival in major cities, a national public relations campaign, seeding activity as well as trade engagement and point of sale materials.
Pale straw in colour, it has a creamy white head characteristic of lager style of beer. Gentle hop aromas are followed on the palate by pleasant malt characters and temperate bitterness. A refreshing and sessionable beer, it pairs well with spicy Asian foods, cuts through rich creamy pasta sauces or complements a quality steak, making it an incredibly versatile accompaniment to a variety of dishes.
Baltika 3 Classic is being produced under licence by Independent Breweries.
Baltika Classic 3 is being made under license by Independent Breweries and is available from select retailers and bars nationally. RRP $54.99 per case; $15.99 per 6 pack. ABV: 4.8% Standard drinks: 1.2 per 330 ml bottle.
° Canadean, Wisdom, October 2008, including WE & EU
*2008 Millward Brown Optimer Report