Budvar (Original Czech Lager)
Budějovický Budvar, n.p.

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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:
1,732
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.
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Photo of Nath91
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
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, 2023
 
Rated: 3.54 by ajdemma from New York

Nov 22, 2023
 
Rated: 3.46 by NolaHopHead from Louisiana

Nov 09, 2023
Photo of BillyNoonan
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
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, 2023
Photo of Kubishark
Reviewed by Kubishark from Maryland

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, 2023
 
Rated: 5 by JoshuaPerraton from Ireland

Oct 17, 2023
 
Rated: 3.08 by JustLikeMyDad from Michigan

Oct 03, 2023
 
Rated: 4.5 by Tylergodin from Massachusetts

Sep 14, 2023
Photo of KleinSchwein
Reviewed by KleinSchwein

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, 2023
Photo of jjamadorphd
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
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, 2023
 
Rated: 3.25 by DannyBaldoni from Canada (QC)

Jul 22, 2023
Photo of Manta200
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
Gift from Daniel H. in Germany
Jul 14, 2023
 
Rated: 3.75 by TrojanRB from Texas

Jul 06, 2023
 
Rated: 5 by Seil3r from Serbia

Jun 27, 2023
Photo of Gatch
Reviewed by Gatch from Massachusetts

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, 2023
 
Rated: 3.5 by Dethark from England

Jun 21, 2023
 
Rated: 3.62 by MrJones07 from Spain

Jun 11, 2023
 
Rated: 3.87 by BLVBBERGIXLL from Arizona

Jun 04, 2023
Photo of GuyFawkes
Reviewed 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
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, 2023
 
Rated: 3.32 by QuintusHorace from California

May 23, 2023
Budvar (Original Czech Lager) from Budějovický Budvar, n.p.
Beer rating: 82 out of 100 with 1732 ratings