Several years ago, I was privileged enough to be part of a hockey team that got to tour around Europe playing hockey, and drinking vast quantities of beer. As a result of this fantastic voyage, I discovered that the world's finest brews are not to be found Germany, or even Belgium for that matter. My favourite beers in the world come from the Czech Republic. That's right, the land that invented the pilsner. Recently, my folks returned to Europe and brought me back some of my old favourites, which is what has inspired me to post this thread.
While Pilsner Urquell is perhaps the most famous of the Czech beers, and good in its own rights, there are three others that really stood out for me.
First up was Budweiser Budvar. It can sometimes be found locally under the name Czechvar (the result of a legal battle between them and Anheuser Busch, which Anheuser Busch won despite the Czech brand being about 100 years older, and the recipe much older yet). Budvar is an outstanding crisp, yet flavourful beer.
Next up was another fabulous beer of the lighter variety. This one was called Gambrinus, and I have not seen it anywhere locally. Again, it is a very flavourful beer that is pleasantly bitter with a crisp finish. What makes this beer outstanding is that is is made with the famous soft water found around the town of Plzen (hence pilsner), which seems to lend itself perfectly to outstanding beer.
Lastly, I'll add a dark beer into the mix. Kozel is a brand famous throughout the Czech republic thanks mostly in part to its dark beer. They offer other varieties, but this one was my favourite. Again, I have not seen this stuff anywhere locally. The Kozel was a very dark beer with chocolate and coffee notes. It is somewhat reminiscent of Guinness, but not nearly as heavy.
This is not nearly an exhaustive list, as pretty much every town we visited had a brewery that produced fantastic beer (Staropramen, Starobrno, etc.). These were just three of the standouts that I remembered. Anyways, that's about enough of me blabbering on. Has anyone else out there had the pleasure of experiencing these, or other Czech delights? If so, perhaps someone slightly more versed in the terminology of beer could provide a better explanation of them.
While Pilsner Urquell is perhaps the most famous of the Czech beers, and good in its own rights, there are three others that really stood out for me.
First up was Budweiser Budvar. It can sometimes be found locally under the name Czechvar (the result of a legal battle between them and Anheuser Busch, which Anheuser Busch won despite the Czech brand being about 100 years older, and the recipe much older yet). Budvar is an outstanding crisp, yet flavourful beer.
Next up was another fabulous beer of the lighter variety. This one was called Gambrinus, and I have not seen it anywhere locally. Again, it is a very flavourful beer that is pleasantly bitter with a crisp finish. What makes this beer outstanding is that is is made with the famous soft water found around the town of Plzen (hence pilsner), which seems to lend itself perfectly to outstanding beer.
Lastly, I'll add a dark beer into the mix. Kozel is a brand famous throughout the Czech republic thanks mostly in part to its dark beer. They offer other varieties, but this one was my favourite. Again, I have not seen this stuff anywhere locally. The Kozel was a very dark beer with chocolate and coffee notes. It is somewhat reminiscent of Guinness, but not nearly as heavy.
This is not nearly an exhaustive list, as pretty much every town we visited had a brewery that produced fantastic beer (Staropramen, Starobrno, etc.). These were just three of the standouts that I remembered. Anyways, that's about enough of me blabbering on. Has anyone else out there had the pleasure of experiencing these, or other Czech delights? If so, perhaps someone slightly more versed in the terminology of beer could provide a better explanation of them.
A prime example would be Arrogant Bastard Ale by Stone!
