Try All The Beers: Budvar Dark
In this blog series, I’m trying all the beers! I choose a beer from one of those books recommending the beers you should try. Check out this introduction post to read the rules of the game.
You can also check out my beer reviews on Untappd here.
I’ve done a couple of British beers in this series so far, let’s go outside of the UK today and visit Czechia. I’m a dark beer girl and dark lagers are up there on my faves list. There’s just something about the combination of chocolate and coffee flavours with the crispness of a lager that does it for me. And Budvar Dark is one of the greats. When I see a Budvar stand at a festival, I’m right there and Radim, their global ambassador knows me well enough now to know I’m after a Budvar Dark in one of their beautiful glasses when I’m there!
Beer: Budvar Dark
Brewery: Budejovicky Budvar
Ceske, Czechia
Style: Tmave/Czech Dark lager
ABV: 4.7%
The History of Budvar
Budvar Dark Lager, also known as Budweiser Budvar Dark Lager, is a traditional Czech-style dark lager brewed by Budějovický Budvar, a brewery based in České Budějovice, Czech Republic. The brewery's history dates back to 1895 when it was founded under the name "Budweiser Bürgerbräu". It later became known as "Budweiser Budvar" after the town's German name, Budweis. The brewery's early years were marked by innovation and expansion, as it embraced emerging brewing technologies while staying true to traditional methods. In 1899, it was renamed "Budvar - Budweiser Bürgerbräu Aktiengesellschaft," reflecting its growing prominence in the region. Despite facing challenges such as changes in ownership and political upheaval, Budvar persevered, becoming a symbol of Czech brewing excellence. The brewery's flagship beer, Budweiser Budvar, achieved international acclaim for its crisp, refreshing taste and became synonymous with the town of České Budějovice. Today, Budvar remains one of the Czech Republic's most esteemed breweries, upholding its legacy of quality and tradition while continuing to innovate and adapt to the ever-changing beer landscape.
The History of Dark Lagers and the Development of Budvar Dark
The history of Czech dark lagers is intertwined with the broader narrative of brewing in the Czech lands, which have a rich and storied brewing tradition dating back centuries. Dark lagers, known as tmavé pivo in Czech, have been brewed in the region for generations, with their origins tracing back to medieval times.
Early Brewing Traditions: The Czech lands, particularly Bohemia and Moravia, have long been renowned for their brewing expertise. Monasteries played a significant role in brewing during the Middle Ages, with monks often brewing dark beers for sustenance during fasting periods. These early dark beers would have been brewed using traditional methods and ingredients available at the time, such as locally grown barley, hops, and water.
Introduction of Lagers: The development of lager yeast and cold fermentation techniques in the 19th century revolutionized brewing in the Czech lands. This led to the production of lighter, crisper lager beers that quickly gained popularity both domestically and internationally. However, alongside these pale lagers, Czech brewers continued to produce darker lagers, catering to local preferences for richer, maltier beers.
Brewing Innovations: Czech brewers refined their techniques for brewing dark lagers, experimenting with different malt varieties and roasting processes to achieve the desired colour and flavour profiles. The use of caramel and roasted malts became widespread, giving Czech dark lagers their characteristic dark colour and complex maltiness. Saaz hops, a traditional Czech hop variety prized for its mild bitterness and floral aroma, are often used to balance the sweetness of the malt in these beers.
Cultural Significance: Czech dark lagers have deep cultural significance in the Czech Republic, where beer consumption per capita is among the highest in the world. These beers are enjoyed in taverns, beer gardens, and at home, forming an integral part of Czech social life and culinary traditions. Dark lagers are often served alongside hearty Czech cuisine, such as roasted meats, dumplings, and hearty stews, complementing the robust flavours of these dishes.
Modern Brewing: Today, Czech breweries continue to produce a wide variety of dark lagers, ranging from traditional recipes to innovative interpretations. While some breweries adhere closely to traditional brewing methods, others experiment with new ingredients and techniques to create unique and distinctive dark lagers. Despite these variations, Czech dark lagers remain prized for their rich maltiness, smooth texture, and balanced flavour profile, making them a beloved style both locally and internationally.
The development of Budvar Dark Lager mirrors the rich brewing heritage of České Budějovice and the dedication of Budějovický Budvar to traditional brewing methods. Over the years, the brewery has meticulously refined its recipe, drawing upon the expertise passed down through generations of brewers. The process involves the careful selection of high-quality Moravian malt and Saaz hops, combined with the brewery's pure artesian well water and proprietary yeast strain. Budvar Dark Lager has evolved into a masterpiece of Czech brewing, balancing rich malt flavours with a clean finish through a combination of time-honoured techniques and modern brewing technology. The beer's development is a testament to Budvar's commitment to maintaining the authenticity and excellence of Czech beer, ensuring that each sip of Budvar Dark Lager delivers a taste of tradition and quality craftsmanship.
The traditional Czech name for a dark lager is "tmavé pivo." In Czech, "tmavé" translates to "dark," and "pivo" means "beer." Therefore, "tmavé pivo" directly translates to "dark beer" in English. This term is commonly used to refer to dark lagers brewed in the Czech Republic, which are known for their rich maltiness, deep colour, and smooth flavour profile.
Quality ingredients only in Budvar Dark
Budvar Dark Lager, like many traditional Czech-style beers, is crafted using a combination of carefully selected ingredients to achieve its distinct flavour profile.
Malt: Budvar Dark Lager is brewed with various malted barley, primarily sourced from the Moravian region of the Czech Republic. Moravian malt is prized for its high quality and contributes to the beer's rich, malty character. The malt undergoes a process of malting, which involves soaking, germinating, and kilning the barley to develop its flavour and sugar content.
Hops: Saaz hops are the hallmark ingredient in Czech lagers, including Budvar Dark Lager. Saaz hops are grown primarily in the Czech Republic and are renowned for their delicate aroma and mild bitterness. They impart floral, spicy, and earthy notes to the beer, balancing the sweetness of the malt and adding complexity to the flavour profile.
As a side note, I often talk about how Saaz, as an older hop variety, is finding it difficult to grow in the current climate conditions the planet finds itself in. Yields are lower and inconsistent, so breweries will need to start looking towards more climate-resistant varieties in the future - but that’s another blog post! Check out some information about the 2023 Hallertau hop harvest here.
Water: The brewing water used by Budějovický Budvar comes from artesian wells located near České Budějovice. The water is soft and mineral-rich, with a balanced mineral content that is well-suited for brewing Czech lagers. High-quality brewing water is essential for extracting flavours from the malt and hops while maintaining the beer's overall balance and drinkability.
Yeast: Budvar Dark Lager is fermented using the brewery's proprietary yeast strain. The yeast plays a crucial role in the fermentation process, converting sugars from the malt into alcohol and carbon dioxide while also contributing to the beer's aroma and flavour profile. Budějovický Budvar's yeast strain is carefully cultivated to produce the desired characteristics of their dark lager, ensuring consistency and quality from batch to batch.
These four primary ingredients—malt, hops, water, and yeast—are the foundation of Budvar Dark Lager. Through skilful brewing techniques and precise ingredient selection, Budějovický Budvar creates a beer that embodies the rich brewing traditions and heritage of the Czech Republic, delivering a flavorful and satisfying drinking experience with each pour.
What is the difference between Budvar Dark and Budvar Czech Lager?
The primary difference between Budvar Dark Lager and regular Budvar Czech Lager lies in their colour, flavour profile, and brewing process:
Colour and Flavor Profile:
Budvar Dark Lager: As the name suggests, Budvar Dark Lager is darker than regular Budvar Czech Lager. It typically ranges from deep mahogany to dark brown, reflecting the use of roasted malt in the brewing process. Budvar Dark Lager tends to have a richer, maltier flavour profile with notes of caramel, toasted bread, and occasionally hints of chocolate. It also exhibits a moderate bitterness and a clean finish.
Regular Budvar Czech Lager: Budvar Czech Lager, also known as Budvar Original or Budweiser Budvar, is a pale lager with a golden to light amber colour. It features a balanced flavour profile characterised by a crisp maltiness, floral hop aroma, and a subtle bitterness. It is known for its smooth, clean taste and refreshing finish.
Brewing Process:
Budvar Dark Lager: To achieve its darker colour and richer flavour profile, Budvar Dark Lager undergoes a different brewing process compared to regular Budvar Czech Lager. It incorporates speciality malts that have been roasted to varying degrees, resulting in the development of caramelized sugars and the characteristic roasted flavours. The brewing process for dark lagers typically involves longer and/or warmer fermentation and conditioning periods to allow for the development of complex malt flavours while still maintaining a smooth and clean finish.
Regular Budvar Czech Lager: Budvar Czech Lager follows a more traditional brewing process for pale lagers, utilizing primarily pale malts and a lighter hop profile. The beer undergoes a standard fermentation and conditioning process, producing a crisp and refreshing beer with a balanced malt-hop profile.
In summary, while both Budvar Dark Lager and regular Budvar Czech Lager are brewed by Budějovický Budvar and share the brewery's commitment to quality and tradition, they offer distinct flavour profiles and appearances suited to different preferences and occasions. Budvar Dark Lager appeals to those who enjoy the depth and complexity of darker beers, while regular Budvar Czech Lager is a classic choice for fans of crisp, refreshing pale lagers.
The best way to drink a Budvar Dark
If you manage to get a Budvar Dark in a bar, make sure it is poured in the traditional Czech way - it will maximise your enjoyment! Here’s a guide to the perfect Czech pour:
The traditional Czech pour, also known as the "Czech Method" or "Czech Swirl," is a technique used to pour beer from the tap in Czech pubs. It is designed to minimize excess foam and maximize the aroma and flavour of the beer. Here are the steps of a traditional Czech pour:
1. Prepare the Glass: Start with a clean, dry glass that has been properly rinsed to remove any residual soap or sanitiser. The glass should be free from any contaminants that could affect the flavour or aroma of the beer.
Tilt the Glass: Hold the glass at a slight angle, typically around 45 degrees, and position it under the tap or faucet. This angle helps to control the flow of beer and minimize the formation of excessive foam.
2. Open the Tap: Gently open the tap to allow the beer to flow into the glass. It's essential to avoid opening the tap too quickly, as this can cause the beer to foam excessively.
3. Pour with Precision: As the beer flows into the glass, gradually straighten the glass to an upright position. This allows the beer to gently glide down the side of the glass, preventing splashing and minimizing agitation, which can lead to excessive foam.
4. Create the Head: As the glass fills with beer, aim to create a thick, creamy head of foam on top. To achieve this, some Czech bartenders use a technique known as the "Czech Swirl," where they swirl the glass in a circular motion while pouring. This motion helps to release carbonation and promote the formation of a dense, stable head.
5. Top Off the Glass: Once the beer reaches the desired level in the glass and the foam has formed, you can top it off by closing the tap gently. Aim to leave a small space at the top of the glass to accommodate the foam, known as the "crown."
6. Serve and Enjoy: Your beer is now ready to be served! Present the glass to the customer with the foam facing them, allowing them to appreciate the beer's aroma and visual appeal before taking their first sip.
By following these steps, you can achieve a traditional Czech pour that enhances the drinking experience by ensuring the proper balance of beer and foam while maximizing aroma and flavour. Cheers!
Tasting Notes for Budvar Dark
This beer pours a deep mahogany to dark brown colour with a creamy off-white head. From a bottle, there are fat carbonation bubbles. The aroma is rich and malty with notes of caramel, toasted bread, and hints of chocolate. There's a subtle earthy hop presence in the background. I prefer this beer on draft as it has a creamier mouthfeel, but from the bottle, it was moderately carbonated. The flavour profile is dominated by a smooth malt character, offering flavours of roasted grains, caramel, and dark bread. There's a subtle sweetness balanced by a mild bitterness from the hops, leading to a well-rounded taste. It finishes clean and smooth, leaving a pleasant lingering maltiness on the palate.
Budvar Dark Lager is a classic example of a Czech-style dark lager, showcasing a harmonious balance of malt sweetness, roasted flavours, and a clean finish. It's a flavorful and highly drinkable beer made clean and crisp by the lagering process.
Should You Try It?
There are several reasons why you should try this beer as part of your beer tasting journey. If you like lager, it will expand your palate to dark lagers. If you like dark beers, the light, crispness of this beer makes it very drinkable. If you are learning about beer tasting, Budvar Dark combines the roasty, malty flavours of dark beer with the clean, crispness of lagers, which is interesting to pick apart. It’s also just a really satisfying beer! If you see it on tap I would recommend it more than in bottle, to get the full effect.
You can find out more about the beer in the reference books here:
1001 beers to try before you die page 651
300 more beers to try before you die 293
Have you tried a dark lager? Which is your favourite? Let me know!
