Baltika #7 900ML Cans

Baltika #7 900ML Cans is a 5.4% ABV Russian export-style lager in a 900ml can, brewed by the Baltika Brewery in St. Petersburg. This flagship expression earned a Superior Taste Award with 2 Golden Stars from Brussels in 2018, along with more than 20 medals at international competitions including gold at the 2009 BrewNZ Beer Awards.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5.4%  |  Origin: St. Petersburg, Russia  |  Style: Dortmunder Export Lager  |  Brewery: Baltika Brewery (Carlsberg)

Production & Heritage

Baltika Brewery, headquartered in St. Petersburg and now part of the Carlsberg Group, launched the #7 expression in 1994 to commemorate the Goodwill Games held in the city. It holds the distinction of being the first Russian canned beer, introduced in the mid-1990s. Brewed with 100% pale barley malt, malt extract, malting barley, and hop products sourced from Russia's Altai region, the #7 follows the Dortmunder export tradition — essentially a stronger, fuller-bodied cousin of the classic Helles lager. Purified drinking water rounds out the ingredient list, keeping the profile clean and focused on malt character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with a sweetish, fruity quality that transitions into grassy, lightly herbal notes. A faint candy-like sweetness lingers underneath, setting up expectations of malt-forward drinkability.

Taste: On the palate, Baltika #7 enters with a gentle bready sweetness — notably the least sweet of the Baltika pale lager lineup. The grain base carries a very slight sourness that quickly gives way to a surprisingly assertive floral hop bitterness. Mid-palate, the malt and hops find a measured balance, with the hops remaining less pronounced than in many Western export lagers but providing enough structure to keep the beer from tipping into cloying territory.

Finish: The finish is clean and moderately short, with a thin, smooth mouthfeel that encourages another sip. A light dusting of hop bitterness and residual grain character trail off without overstaying.

How to Drink Baltika #7

Serve well chilled, ideally between 4–7°C (39–45°F), straight from the 900ml can or poured into a pilsner glass to appreciate the pale gold color and white head. The export lager style is built for uncomplicated, refreshing drinking. A Michelada benefits from the #7's bready malt base, which balances the lime and hot sauce without competing. A Shandy works well given the beer's mild sweetness and thin body, pairing naturally with lemonade. A Boilermaker alongside a clean vodka leans into the Russian heritage, with the lager's smooth finish tempering the spirit's heat.

Best For

• Casual weekend barbecues and outdoor grilling sessions
• Introducing friends to the Russian lager tradition beyond mainstream brands
• Watching football or sporting events with a group
• Stocking a cooler for a summer gathering where crowd-friendly, easy-drinking beer is the priority

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Baltika #7 taste like? Baltika #7 delivers a mild bready sweetness balanced by a floral hop bitterness, with a slightly sour grain backbone and a clean, smooth finish. It drinks lighter than its 5.4% ABV might suggest, leaning into easy refreshment rather than complexity.

How does Baltika #7 compare to Stella Artois? Both are European-style lagers with light, crisp profiles and modest hop character, but Baltika #7 has a slightly higher ABV (5.4% vs. Stella's 5.0%) and leans more into bready malt sweetness. Stella Artois tends to show a sharper, more herbal bitterness, while the #7 emphasizes a smoother, less hop-forward balance.

Is Baltika #7 good for beginners? Yes — its mild flavor, smooth mouthfeel, and restrained bitterness make it a very approachable lager for anyone exploring European-style beers. The 900ml can format also provides a generous serving to get comfortable with the profile.

Where is Baltika #7 made? Baltika #7 is brewed by the Baltika Brewery in St. Petersburg, Russia, one of the largest brewing companies in Europe now owned by the Carlsberg Group. The hops are reportedly sourced from Russia's Altai region.

What foods pair well with Baltika #7? Grilled sausages and bratwurst complement the bready malt base. Smoked salmon or pickled herring lean into the Russian tradition and echo the beer's subtle grain sourness. Mild white cheeses like Havarti mirror the smooth, understated character. Pizza Margherita pairs naturally with any clean export lager, and salted pretzels accentuate the malt while contrasting with the floral hop finish.

What sizes does Baltika #7 come in? This listing is for the 900ml can format, which provides a generous single-serve or shared pour. Baltika #7 is also widely available in 500ml cans and glass bottles in various markets.

Is Baltika #7 worth the price? Baltika #7 positions as a value-oriented import lager, typically priced below many Western European counterparts while delivering a clean, internationally awarded profile. For a Brussels Superior Taste Award recipient with over 20 competition medals, it punches well above its price tier.

Why Baltika #7?

Few Russian beers have accumulated the international recognition that Baltika #7 carries — over 20 awards spanning the Australian International Beer Awards, World Beer Championships, BrewNZ, and the International Beer Challenge in London. Its 1994 launch as a commemorative brew for the Goodwill Games gave it a purpose-built identity from the start, and its status as the first Russian canned beer marks a genuine piece of brewing history. The 100% malt construction and Altai-sourced hops deliver a Dortmunder export profile that is both faithful to European tradition and distinctly Russian in character. In the 900ml can, it remains one of the most accessible and well-credentialed lagers from Eastern Europe available today.