A short guide to Czech beersMar 08 '01 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line The following describes the six most common Czech beers, as well as their different versions.
While Epinions covers three labels, there are many more Czech beers, some of which are even more common in the Czech Republic. In the following paragraphs, I will introduce to you the most common beers in the Czech Republic, along with my recommendations. In addition, I will write a short overview on the different grades of Czech beer, which is the most common combination and where and how to order it. Overview Czech beer comes mainly in three grades. The light beer, 10 grade, are the most commonly drunk beers. Always watch out in a pub, as most of the lower-class pubs offer these as their main beer. 11 grade beers are usually dark beers. They are commonly offered in pubs as well. Both 10 and 11 grade beers are more common as tap beers than bottled beers. 12 grade beers are the standard lagers – they come in bottles most of the time, even though better pubs offer them on tap as well. A very popular combination is a mix of the 10 and 11 grade beers, called “rezane” (cut) beer. Unlike black and tan beers, in this case the beers are mixed, not layered. Most of the breweries produce all three kinds of beer, some produce even non-alcoholic or highly-alcoholic beer. The common level of alcohol varies between 3 and 7%, but most of the time stays below the 5% mark. Czech pubs While you will find very lively pubs in the center of the towns, those are the tourist traps, where you may end up paying up to $2 for a large beer (a large beer is ½ of a liter, a small beer is 1/3 of a liter). In the suburbs, however, a large beer is sold for $0.70-$1.20. Here, the pubs and their customers are much more picturesque than in the town centers. You can play cards or darts here, converse with the regulars or experience the real Czech food. The only problem is that these places are very locality-based – each couple of blocks has its own pub and clientele, and to mix in, you’d need to accompany one of the regulars. Most common Czech beers In the following paragraphs, I will use three numbers behind the name of the beer. They indicate the alcohol content in the 10, 11 and 12 grade versions. This will be an indicator of which grades are being produced. I have ranked the beers according to my taste, the best being on the top. 1. Staropramen (4.0/4.5/5.2) If you go to a pub in Prague, most likely you will get this beer. Staropramen has been brewed in Prague since 1869 as a lager. Since Staropramen is my favorite beer, it is hard for me to stay objective. It is a very bitter lager, which creates a large carbon bubbles, so it does not taste as if you drank beer foam. While coming in three basic versions, it is also available in the US in its 12 grade version. The beer leaves a strong bitter aftertaste, but this is easily beat if you drink it while having a meal. The only problem with this beer is that its foam evaporates quickly and if you let it stand for more than half an hour, it will start to lose its flavor. 2. Pilsner Urquell (3.6/-/4.4) Some people consider Plzensky Prazdroj (as it is called in Czech) to be the grandfather of all lager beers. Other think that the Pilsner category of beers originates from this beer. Either way, this is one of the best lager beers you can get. Even more bitter than Staropramen, it is lighter and more suitable for the US market. As most Czech beers, it has a foam of large bubbles, which greatly improves the taste of the beer, but evaporates quickly and leaves it unprotected. This beer has been brewed since 1842, but its roots go all the way back to 1295, when beer was first brewed in the city of Pilsen. 3. Velkopopovicky Kozel (4.0/3.8/5.0) Another lager beer (that’s probably the only Czech beer you’ll ever have), Kozel has been brewed since 1871. If the previous two beers weren’t bitter enough for you, this one will be. However, despite of its bitter taste, Kozel is one of the most refreshing beers you can find. Moreover, it is the only Czech beer you can easily find in the US in 0.5 liter bottles, and it seems to travel much better than other Czech beers. 4. Budvar (4.0/-/5.0) Budvar is considered to be the original Budweiser. According to a very popular story, the brewery was nationalized and closed after the communists took over in 1948. Before reopening the brewery in 1966, the beer trade mark expired and a US company snatched it. Until now, there are numerous copyright infringement cases all over the world, and the Czech media take it with great pleasure every time a court decides for Budvar on the basis of its taste (the last such case was three years ago in Egypt). The beer is a very honest lager – bitter, but with any added or artificial taste. It travels well, but is sold out very quickly in the US. Still, snatch a six-pack if you can. 5. Gambrinus (4.1/-/5.0) Gambrinus is one of the oldest Czech beers. First brewed at the end of the 13th century in Pilsen, Gambrinus is named after the king John I (1251 – 1294). The name of the beer is a mutation of his name Jan Primus. It is much less bitter than other Czech lagers, and thus more attractive for American tastes. Actually, it is maybe the only Czech beer that is still drinkable when bought in a can. Maybe that’s why it is the beer of choice of the Czech Airlines. The beer is still a lager, but despite its alcohol content it is rather refreshing and tastes more like light beer. In the recent years, it became the budget beer of choice in the Czech republic, so you will come in contact with it. 6. Radegast (3.6/3.9/5.1) Radegast is a relatively young beer, first brewed in 1970. At that time, this beer was hailed as another victory for the communist science. Since that time, the beer improved greatly, but it remained budget beer. Found mainly in the eastern part of the Czech Republic, this beer is a little bitter lager, which in its lighter mutations is surprisingly refreshing. Still, the taste seems to be a bit artificial, and so if you have the choice, go for something else. There are many more good quality beers in the Czech Republic. You may run into other known labels, such as Starobrno or Krusovice. In any case, you will face a great assortment of bitter lagers and very little of other, so brace yourself. And enjoy some of the best beers in the world.  |
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