B is for Budejovicky Budvar
STATS
- Country: Czech Republic
- Style: Czech Pilsner
- ABV: 5.0%
- Serving Type: 330ml Bottle
- Price: Inexpensive
Budejovicky Budvar (a.k.a Budweiser Budvar & Czechvar) is the other beer/brewery involved in the long running dispute with the American macro lager Budweiser over who has the rights to the name. At the moment the Czech’s are winning and this is their flagship Pilsner.
Here’s what my uneducated self said last time: “Despite it’s horrible name, Budvar is a really good lager, as you would expect from the Czech’s. It’s very flavoursome and incredibly refreshing. You could easily knock back quite a few of these without even noticing. Definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a strong (flavoured) lager.”
I try to limit beer glass talk on the blog but this one is awesome. I got given it in Prague when I told the guy in the restaurant that I collected them, apparently this was the new one that was about to be released. The beer pours a lovely deep golden colour and has a small tight white head on top. There appears to be plenty of carbonation that gives good retention to the relatively small head.
Today I had to pop into the roof at work and since then I haven’t been able to smell a thing, god it was dusty up there. Thankfully I’m well acquainted with Budvar and know the nose just about off by heart! Plenty of bitter grassy hops (hint they’re Saaz) some relatively sour grain and a hint of lemon at the backend. There’s nothing sweet about this pilsner’s nose, it’s perfect!
Budejovicky Budvar (or whichever name is applicable in your county) starts off with a nice and light biscuit malt. As it’s a Czech Pilsner this is quickly replaced by Saaz hop bitterness, which is distinctly grassy. I can’t detect any of the lemon that was noticeable on the nose, but there was plenty of tiny bubbles that really livened up the mouthfeel. The lingering bitterness from the hops may put off many regular lager drinkers.
After reading what I wrote last time I promised myself I would be more succinct when summing up this beer this time. So here goes nothing: Budvar is a classic example of the Czech Pilsner style. It showcases the bitterness of the Saaz hop brilliantly. It’s a versatile lager as it appeals to the slightly adventurous drinker and craft beer drinkers alike. If you haven’t had it yet it’s a beer I’d highly recommend trying, it’s one of those ones that all beer drinkers should have at least once.
