Name
Czech Dark Lager
Category
Czech Lager
BJCP Style Code
3 D
Appearance
Dark copper to almost black color, often with a red or garnet tint. Clear to bright clarity. Large, off-white to tan, persistent head.
Aroma
Medium to medium-high rich, deep, sometimes sweet maltiness, with optional qualities such as bread crusts, toast, nuts, cola, dark fruit, or caramel. Roasted malt characters such as chocolate or sweetened coffee can vary from moderate to none but should not overwhelm the base malt character. Low, spicy hop aroma is optional. Low diacetyl and low fruity esters (plums or berries) may be present.
Flavour
Medium to medium-high deep, complex maltiness dominates, typically with malty-rich Maillard products and a light to moderate residual malt sweetness. Malt flavors such as caramel, toast, nuts, licorice, dried dark fruit, chocolate and coffee may also be present, with very low to moderate roast character. Spicy hop flavor can be moderately-low to none. Hop bitterness may be moderate to medium-low but should be perceptible. Balance can vary from malty to relatively well-balanced to gently hop-forward. Low to moderate diacetyl and light plum or berry esters may be present.
Mouthfeel
Medium to medium-full body, considerable mouthfeel without being heavy or cloying. Moderately creamy in texture. Smooth. Moderate to low carbonation. Can have a slight alcohol warmth in stronger versions.
Overall Impression
A rich, dark, malty Czech lager with a roast character that can vary from almost absent to quite prominent. Malty with an interesting and complex flavor profile, with variable levels of hopping providing a range of possible interpretations.
Typical Ingredients
Pilsner and dark caramel malts with the addition of debittered roasted malts are most common, but additions of Vienna or Munich malt are also appropriate. Low mineral content water, Saazer-type hops, Czech lager yeast. Any fruity esters are typically from malt, not yeast.
History
The U Flek? brewery has been operating in Prague since 1499. Many small, new breweries are brewing this style.
Comments
This style is a combination of the Czech styles tmavý leák (1112.9 °P) and tmavé speciální pivo (1314.9 °P). More modern examples are drier and have higher bitterness while traditional versions often have IBUs in the 1820 range with a sweeter balance.
Commercial Examples
Bohemian Brewery Cherny Bock 4%, Budweiser Budvar B:Dark tmavý leák, Devils Backbone Morana, Kout na umav? Koutský tmavý speciál 14°, Notch ?erné Pivo, Pivovar B?eznice Herold, U Flek? Flekovský tmavý 13° leák
Original Gravity
1.044 - 1.060 SG
Final Gravity
1.013 - 1.017 SG
Color
14 - 35 SRM
Alcohol
4.0 - 5.0 %vol
Bitterness
18 - 34 IBU