-
Stop lurking! Log in to search, post in our forums, review beers, see fewer ads, and more. — Todd, Founder of BeerAdvocate
Budvar (Original Czech Lager)
Budějovický Budvar, n.p.

- From:
- Budějovický Budvar, n.p.
- Czechia
- Style:
- Bohemian / Czech Pilsner
Ranked #234 - ABV:
- 5%
- Score:
- 82
Ranked #26,030 - Avg:
- 3.6 | pDev: 15.28%
- Reviews:
- 872
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Nov 27, 2023
- Added:
- Jun 22, 2001
- Wants:
- 75
- Gots:
- 286
Exported to the US as Czechvar.
Brewed using whole-cone, Saaz hops from Žatec, pristine water from an Ice Age aquifer, Moravian malting barley and our heritage lager yeast, this classic rich and full-flavoured lager sets the gold standard for Czech brewing across the world. The tradition of cold-conditioning in our brewery cellars for seven times longer than most other beers creates a pale lager with a sweet, deep golden body and an aromatic, hoppy foam. Bold in taste, yet refreshing and perfectly balanced.
Brewed using whole-cone, Saaz hops from Žatec, pristine water from an Ice Age aquifer, Moravian malting barley and our heritage lager yeast, this classic rich and full-flavoured lager sets the gold standard for Czech brewing across the world. The tradition of cold-conditioning in our brewery cellars for seven times longer than most other beers creates a pale lager with a sweet, deep golden body and an aromatic, hoppy foam. Bold in taste, yet refreshing and perfectly balanced.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Reviewed by Nath91 from Australia
3.71/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
3.71/5 rDev +3.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.75
Never had Budvar before, so when I found a single bottle of it at my local Bottlo, was keen to give it a try. I'm not sure if this is the 'Original Budweiser' or what the story behind this beer is, but it seems to be popular.
Purchased at Glenfield Bottleshop. Best before 1/8/24. Odd to find a beer in date from this bottleshop sometimes.
Vessel: Glass 330ml green bottle. Drunk out of my Coopers Tulip. I do appreciate the slightly dated, almost retro label.
Appearance: a lovely golden Appearance, soapy white head that's disappating leaving a ring of froth. Lots of champagne-esque bubbles racing to the top. Looks like a lager.
Smell: A beautiful bouquet of grassy floral hops, a slight graininess to the beer. The bitterness is slightly metallic but not in an unpleasant way. Lightly toasted malts and a hint of bread.
Taste: A very forward malty sweetness balances nicely with the floral hops, which finishes slight spicy. Bitterness is low but it does pop it's head out for a brief moment. Carbonation is sharp around the mouth.
Feel: Not watery or thin, it does hold some body. Nicely carbonated but not excessively so like some Euro lagers or Australian adjunct lagers. Drinkability and sessionability is extremely high.
Overall: A very enjoyable and well made lager beer. Good flavours, high drinkability, better than 95% of Australian lagers on the market and would choose this over those.
#️⃣6️⃣9️⃣
Nov 27, 2023Purchased at Glenfield Bottleshop. Best before 1/8/24. Odd to find a beer in date from this bottleshop sometimes.
Vessel: Glass 330ml green bottle. Drunk out of my Coopers Tulip. I do appreciate the slightly dated, almost retro label.
Appearance: a lovely golden Appearance, soapy white head that's disappating leaving a ring of froth. Lots of champagne-esque bubbles racing to the top. Looks like a lager.
Smell: A beautiful bouquet of grassy floral hops, a slight graininess to the beer. The bitterness is slightly metallic but not in an unpleasant way. Lightly toasted malts and a hint of bread.
Taste: A very forward malty sweetness balances nicely with the floral hops, which finishes slight spicy. Bitterness is low but it does pop it's head out for a brief moment. Carbonation is sharp around the mouth.
Feel: Not watery or thin, it does hold some body. Nicely carbonated but not excessively so like some Euro lagers or Australian adjunct lagers. Drinkability and sessionability is extremely high.
Overall: A very enjoyable and well made lager beer. Good flavours, high drinkability, better than 95% of Australian lagers on the market and would choose this over those.
#️⃣6️⃣9️⃣
Reviewed by BillyNoonan from Ireland
3.45/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.45/5 rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
From bottle, nice clear, amber gold pour. Decent carbonation, though slightly thin feel. Nice, malty and hoppy balance, a little tart and slight spice in the finish. It's a more than serviceable lager, though not sure it's particularly great value for money .
Nov 04, 2023Reviewed by Kubishark from Maryland
3.73/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
3.73/5 rDev +3.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
I haven't had this on tap yet, just from a skunky green bottle years ago in America and recently from a can in Germany. The German can was probably significantly fresher and therefore tasted significantly better.
Oct 26, 2023Reviewed by KleinSchwein
4.13/5 rDev +14.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
4.13/5 rDev +14.7%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
From notes.
Pours dark yellow , an inch think white head and light carbonation. The smell is mildly grassy and sweet and the taste follows with the addition of a good maltiness and refreshing bitterness. The mouthfeel is of good viscosity and bubbly. Overall, good , refreshing, crisp, tasty.
Aug 10, 2023Pours dark yellow , an inch think white head and light carbonation. The smell is mildly grassy and sweet and the taste follows with the addition of a good maltiness and refreshing bitterness. The mouthfeel is of good viscosity and bubbly. Overall, good , refreshing, crisp, tasty.
Reviewed by jjamadorphd from Florida
3.57/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
3.57/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
I saw that Budweiser has it's greasy, little monkey fingers in this brewery, only after I picked this one up, and only after I cracked open the bottle, drank it, and came here for the review.
I liked the clear look to the lager - very clean looking but it did not have any head even though it was carbonated to a sufficient level. The smell is about what you would expect for a euro lager, but it had a malty twinge to it. Mouthfeel was, as I previously mentioned, carbonated just about right, and the taste was just as malty as I noted in my nose.
A decent lager, one I would not hesitate to reach for in the future...
Jul 31, 2023I liked the clear look to the lager - very clean looking but it did not have any head even though it was carbonated to a sufficient level. The smell is about what you would expect for a euro lager, but it had a malty twinge to it. Mouthfeel was, as I previously mentioned, carbonated just about right, and the taste was just as malty as I noted in my nose.
A decent lager, one I would not hesitate to reach for in the future...
Rated by Manta200 from Kentucky
3.61/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
3.61/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75
Gift from Daniel H. in Germany
Jul 14, 2023Reviewed by Gatch from Massachusetts
3.12/5 rDev -13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
3.12/5 rDev -13.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3
While a beer with a lot of history and one of the original examples of the style, it isn’t a great representation of the style. Muted in every regard and a bit harsh in the finish. Thin malt bill and body. Drinkable but so many better examples out there.
Jun 24, 2023Reviewed by GuyFawkes from Illinois
3.5/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.5/5 rDev -2.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Canned 2/9/23; drank 6/1/23 @ the Yarchives.
See-through pale orange/yellow appearance.
A rough pour yielded a nice eggshell head; nice lace.
Dry corn, mild caramel & faint smoke notes in the nose.
Medium thick, syrup-y mouthfeel.
Corn, mild caramel & faint acorn flavors. A bit syrup-y, but drinkable in a pinch.
Jun 03, 2023See-through pale orange/yellow appearance.
A rough pour yielded a nice eggshell head; nice lace.
Dry corn, mild caramel & faint smoke notes in the nose.
Medium thick, syrup-y mouthfeel.
Corn, mild caramel & faint acorn flavors. A bit syrup-y, but drinkable in a pinch.
Budvar (Original Czech Lager) from Budějovický Budvar, n.p.
Beer rating:
82 out of
100 with
1732 ratings
We love reviews (150 characters or more)! Check out: How to Review a Beer. You don't need to get fancy. Drop some thoughts on the beer's attributes (look, smell, taste, feel) plus your overall impression. Something that backs up your rating and helps others. Thanks!