Obolon Super Lager 500ML

Obolon Super Lager 500ML is a 16% ABV high-gravity strong lager from Ukraine's Obolon Brewery, packaged in a 500ml can. Brewed through the fermentation of high-gravity wort, this intense lager sits at the extreme end of the style, delivering a barleywine-like body rarely seen in conventional lagers.

Quick Facts: ABV: 16%  |  Origin: Kyiv, Ukraine  |  Style: Strong Lager  |  Brewery: Obolon Brewery

Production & Heritage

Obolon Brewery was built in 1980 in Kyiv's Obolon district, based on designs by Czech engineers, and operates the largest brewing facility in Europe by installed capacity. The brewery sits near an artesian well that draws water from the Jurassic horizon at a depth of 290 meters, providing the mineral foundation for all Obolon products. The Super Lager achieves its formidable 16% ABV through the fermentation of high-gravity wort — a process that concentrates sugars before fermentation, pushing the yeast to its alcohol-tolerance limits and producing a beer with far more depth and residual sweetness than a standard lager.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Rich malt sweetness leads the nose, followed by hints of dried fruit and light wine-like tones. Underneath, grassy and floral hop notes provide a subtle counterpoint to the dominant malt character.

Taste: The entry is full-bodied and malt-forward with noticeable sweetness. At mid-palate, moderate hop bitterness arrives alongside subtle fruity undertones that recall ripe stone fruit. The high ABV makes itself known with an unmistakable warming sensation that reviewers have compared to the burn of whisky or barleywine.

Finish: Smooth yet decidedly warming, with a lingering malt presence that stays on the palate. The alcohol heat is persistent but not harsh, gradually fading into a slightly sweet, bready aftertaste.

How to Drink Obolon Super

At 16% ABV, this beer benefits from being poured into a snifter or tulip glass and sipped slowly at cellar temperature — around 10–12°C — to allow its complex malt character to open up. The high gravity and sweetness also make it a surprisingly versatile mixer: a Boilermaker pairing with a lighter Ukrainian wheat vodka creates a potent but balanced duo; a Shandy cut with lemon soda tames the intensity while preserving malt depth; and a Beer Flip (shaken with a whole egg and simple syrup) leans into the barleywine qualities and produces a rich, dessert-like drink.

Best For

• Exploring extreme-ABV beer styles beyond typical craft offerings
• Sharing with friends who appreciate strong European lagers
• Pairing with hearty winter meals or bold cheeses
• Adding variety to a high-gravity beer tasting lineup

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Obolon Super taste like? Obolon Super delivers a full-bodied, malt-forward profile with pronounced sweetness, subtle dried-fruit undertones, and a noticeable warming alcohol burn often compared to barleywine.

How does Obolon Super compare to Carlsberg Special Brew? Both are high-ABV strong lagers, but Obolon Super sits significantly higher at 16% ABV compared to Carlsberg Special Brew's 7.5%, making it a much more intense, malt-heavy experience. The Obolon also shows more fruity, wine-like complexity due to its high-gravity wort fermentation process.

Is Obolon Super good for sipping neat? Yes — when poured into a proper glass and served slightly chilled, it rewards slow sipping much like a barleywine or strong Belgian ale, though its intensity means a single 500ml serving goes a long way.

Where is Obolon Super made? Obolon Super is brewed at the Obolon Brewery in the Obolon district of Kyiv, Ukraine, a facility built in 1980 that uses artesian well water sourced from 290 meters below the surface.

What foods pair well with Obolon Super? Aged cheddar or Gouda, as the malt sweetness complements sharp, nutty cheese; smoked meats like Ukrainian kovbasa sausage, which stand up to the beer's weight; rich stews such as borscht or goulash; dark chocolate, which mirrors the malt depth; and grilled lamb, whose fatty richness is cut by the alcohol warmth.

What sizes does Obolon Super come in? Obolon Super Lager is commonly available in 500ml cans, the standard format for this expression.

Is Obolon Super worth the price? Obolon Super positions as a budget-friendly option within the strong lager category, delivering an unusually high ABV and genuine brewing complexity at a price point well below most craft barleywines or Belgian strong ales of comparable strength.

Why Obolon Super?

At 16% ABV, Obolon Super occupies rare territory — few lagers anywhere in the world push fermentation this far. The use of Jurassic-era artesian well water and a high-gravity wort process developed at Europe's largest brewing facility gives it a legitimate production story that goes beyond mere novelty. The resulting beer genuinely straddles the line between strong lager and barleywine, with enough malt complexity and fruity depth to hold the interest of drinkers accustomed to high-ABV craft styles. For those seeking something far outside the mainstream lager experience at an accessible price, it stands in a category nearly by itself.