Žatec Dark Lager
Žatecký Pivovar
Beer Geek Stats:
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- Style:
- European Dark Lager
Ranked #13 - ABV:
- 5.7%
- Score:
- 84
Ranked #25,874 - Avg:
- 3.79 | pDev: 10.82%
- Reviews:
- 60
- Ratings:
- From:
- Žatecký Pivovar
- Czech Republic
- Avail:
- Year-round
- Wants
- 12
- Gots
- 11
SCORE
84
Good
84
Good
Notes:
Reviews: 60
| Ratings: 108
4.25/5 rDev +12.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 16 OZ bottle into a pint glass at the World of Beer in Columbia, SC. The appearance is a dark brown with medium sized tan colored head. The aroma is full of toasted malt. The taste is very malty and has a sweet finish.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
Poured from a 16 OZ bottle into a pint glass at the World of Beer in Columbia, SC. The appearance is a dark brown with medium sized tan colored head. The aroma is full of toasted malt. The taste is very malty and has a sweet finish.
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4.5/5 rDev +18.7%
Pours to a buff head that lasts and laces. Transparent ruby black color. Slight roast and decocted malt aroma with a honey-like floral hop note. Flavor is reminiscent of molasses, coffee and toffee, with a balancing clean bitterness and hop spice. Mouthfeel is light medium. Overall an outstandingly satisfying and complex dark lager.
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Pours to a buff head that lasts and laces. Transparent ruby black color. Slight roast and decocted malt aroma with a honey-like floral hop note. Flavor is reminiscent of molasses, coffee and toffee, with a balancing clean bitterness and hop spice. Mouthfeel is light medium. Overall an outstandingly satisfying and complex dark lager.
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4.34/5 rDev +14.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
This is truly a finely crafted lager. Poured into a 33 cl Žatec glass, pours a dark mahogany with an appetizing head. Wonderful complex caramel, chocolate, slightly sweet/roasted nose. Taste confirms the nose, and boy is there a lot to taste in this wonderfully crafted Czech beer!
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look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.5
This is truly a finely crafted lager. Poured into a 33 cl Žatec glass, pours a dark mahogany with an appetizing head. Wonderful complex caramel, chocolate, slightly sweet/roasted nose. Taste confirms the nose, and boy is there a lot to taste in this wonderfully crafted Czech beer!
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3/5 rDev -20.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Deep mahogany active light brown head.
Light rolling body that actually build up a bit on the back end. Nice roasted character and toasted malts. Caramel and toffee on the side of the tongue, burnt malt bitterness with a touch of alcohol heat. A little thin up front but has no astringencies.
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look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Deep mahogany active light brown head.
Light rolling body that actually build up a bit on the back end. Nice roasted character and toasted malts. Caramel and toffee on the side of the tongue, burnt malt bitterness with a touch of alcohol heat. A little thin up front but has no astringencies.
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3.6/5 rDev -5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
eyes...
sizzling head on this, off white tiny bubbles slowly fade into the all familiar (and all powerful) O-Ring, deep chestnut brown hue here, consistent color throughout, some carbonation bubblin' and stumblin' up the glass, pretty good looking if not special
nose...
faint prunes, bready malt with a tinge of dry summer house smell, some slightly herbal and honey notes as well, all in balance, all pretty tame but nice
taste etc...
exceptionally clean drinking, what does that mean ? fair enough... it just has a nice overall presentation, from start to finish, the mouthfeel is great, perfectly smooth and medium bodied, the carbonation stops just short of spiky, there is a nice coating on the tongue leaving you both refreshed and wanting more... the subtle hop flavor really peaks the interest of the back of the palette, it reminds me in some weird way of ESBs but with a differing hop signature
verdict?
obviously well crafted but not something that butters my biscuit, there is nothing bad about this beer I would just prefer others before reaching for this
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.5
eyes...
sizzling head on this, off white tiny bubbles slowly fade into the all familiar (and all powerful) O-Ring, deep chestnut brown hue here, consistent color throughout, some carbonation bubblin' and stumblin' up the glass, pretty good looking if not special
nose...
faint prunes, bready malt with a tinge of dry summer house smell, some slightly herbal and honey notes as well, all in balance, all pretty tame but nice
taste etc...
exceptionally clean drinking, what does that mean ? fair enough... it just has a nice overall presentation, from start to finish, the mouthfeel is great, perfectly smooth and medium bodied, the carbonation stops just short of spiky, there is a nice coating on the tongue leaving you both refreshed and wanting more... the subtle hop flavor really peaks the interest of the back of the palette, it reminds me in some weird way of ESBs but with a differing hop signature
verdict?
obviously well crafted but not something that butters my biscuit, there is nothing bad about this beer I would just prefer others before reaching for this
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3.76/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Dark color. Made a three finger head with low retention.
Nice aroma of toasted malts and dark chocolate.
Flavor of toasted malts with coffee and caramel notes. Earthy/hay hops also emerges through its malt, and gets more and more present as it warms up.
Dry aftertaste, a bit oily and buttery.
Medium body and low carbonation.
Good beer, faithful to style and very pleasant to drink. A beer not for drinking a single bottle, once it has a good mix between drinkability and flavor.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
Dark color. Made a three finger head with low retention.
Nice aroma of toasted malts and dark chocolate.
Flavor of toasted malts with coffee and caramel notes. Earthy/hay hops also emerges through its malt, and gets more and more present as it warms up.
Dry aftertaste, a bit oily and buttery.
Medium body and low carbonation.
Good beer, faithful to style and very pleasant to drink. A beer not for drinking a single bottle, once it has a good mix between drinkability and flavor.
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4/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This is an excellent dark lager.
Very dark red-brown, almost black, it has a small tan head soon thinning to foamy ring & wisps.
Aroma is chocolaty caramelised prunes and bread crust.
Taste is dryish toasty bread crust, lightly sweet caramelised prunes & raisins, woody-peppery light bitterness, dry toastiness dominating finish.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
This is an excellent dark lager.
Very dark red-brown, almost black, it has a small tan head soon thinning to foamy ring & wisps.
Aroma is chocolaty caramelised prunes and bread crust.
Taste is dryish toasty bread crust, lightly sweet caramelised prunes & raisins, woody-peppery light bitterness, dry toastiness dominating finish.
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3.76/5 rDev -0.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Nice rich, dark color with lots of head. You'd think you were drinking a stout.
S - I was thirsty so forgot to smell. Seriously, not a lot of complex aromas from what I can remember. Some chocolate but subtle
T - Nice taste right up front. Hint of coffee and maybe tar (though I've never had tar).
M - Rich, creamy, feel that lingers nicely.
O - I much prefer this over the Zatec pilsner. A nice sessionable lager.
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look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A - Nice rich, dark color with lots of head. You'd think you were drinking a stout.
S - I was thirsty so forgot to smell. Seriously, not a lot of complex aromas from what I can remember. Some chocolate but subtle
T - Nice taste right up front. Hint of coffee and maybe tar (though I've never had tar).
M - Rich, creamy, feel that lingers nicely.
O - I much prefer this over the Zatec pilsner. A nice sessionable lager.
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3.53/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
500ml bottle.
Pours opaque, murky, and dark brown. A fluffy, thick head of tan settles slowly in the glass revealing plenty of ropey lacework and a solid skim coat on the surface.
Roasted malt with light notes of chocolate, caramel, and nougat on the nose.
Medium bodied with a slightly creamy, lush mouthfeel.
Cocoa, roast, and mild coffee notes lead off the palate. Low bitterness and very clean with a low-ester profile following through.
Finishes with roast and light chocolate . Easy drinking and unoffensive.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
500ml bottle.
Pours opaque, murky, and dark brown. A fluffy, thick head of tan settles slowly in the glass revealing plenty of ropey lacework and a solid skim coat on the surface.
Roasted malt with light notes of chocolate, caramel, and nougat on the nose.
Medium bodied with a slightly creamy, lush mouthfeel.
Cocoa, roast, and mild coffee notes lead off the palate. Low bitterness and very clean with a low-ester profile following through.
Finishes with roast and light chocolate . Easy drinking and unoffensive.
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3.58/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a 500 mL bottle into a 14 oz "pint" glass. Pours a dark black with a large off white head. Smells of dark roasted malt and some flowery hops. Tastes of malt with some chocolatey overtones and some hops, a nice surprise for a dark lager. Beer is carbonated perfectly and has good balance for its light body. Overall a pretty good beer.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Poured from a 500 mL bottle into a 14 oz "pint" glass. Pours a dark black with a large off white head. Smells of dark roasted malt and some flowery hops. Tastes of malt with some chocolatey overtones and some hops, a nice surprise for a dark lager. Beer is carbonated perfectly and has good balance for its light body. Overall a pretty good beer.
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3.9/5 rDev +2.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
500mL bottle, no date. Served over several pours into a 200mL Bitburger Pils pokal glass.
Appearance: Clear deep brown with some coppery and red notes when held up to the light. Thin off-white head as a ring at the edge of the glass, with the barest thin skin of foam across the stop. Islands and some strands of persistent lacing noted.
Smell: Bread, hints of bittersweet chocolate, malty, maybe some plums. Reminds me of a doppelbock really.
Taste: Burnt sugar, tiny bits of bittersweet chocolate, strong roasted malt. Bitterness is mild at first, becoming a bit stronger as the beer warms up. Hops barely noticeable at first, with roasted malt serving as most of the bitterness. Some noble hop flavors come out though at the end as it warms up.
Mouthfeel: Light carbonation, but still a bit spicy on the tongue. Stickiness on the teeth is notable.
Overall / Drinkability: Quite a nice beer, but I find one is enough. There are aspects of this beer which are very much doppelbock in style (aroma especially, sometimes the taste) which perhaps makes this an even more appealing beer in he end. Tasty, aromatic, and yet one 500 mL is enough. I guess this beer is nicely sating as well. So while I tried it I'm not seeing a desire to go out and get more.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
500mL bottle, no date. Served over several pours into a 200mL Bitburger Pils pokal glass.
Appearance: Clear deep brown with some coppery and red notes when held up to the light. Thin off-white head as a ring at the edge of the glass, with the barest thin skin of foam across the stop. Islands and some strands of persistent lacing noted.
Smell: Bread, hints of bittersweet chocolate, malty, maybe some plums. Reminds me of a doppelbock really.
Taste: Burnt sugar, tiny bits of bittersweet chocolate, strong roasted malt. Bitterness is mild at first, becoming a bit stronger as the beer warms up. Hops barely noticeable at first, with roasted malt serving as most of the bitterness. Some noble hop flavors come out though at the end as it warms up.
Mouthfeel: Light carbonation, but still a bit spicy on the tongue. Stickiness on the teeth is notable.
Overall / Drinkability: Quite a nice beer, but I find one is enough. There are aspects of this beer which are very much doppelbock in style (aroma especially, sometimes the taste) which perhaps makes this an even more appealing beer in he end. Tasty, aromatic, and yet one 500 mL is enough. I guess this beer is nicely sating as well. So while I tried it I'm not seeing a desire to go out and get more.
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3.18/5 rDev -16.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
The colour is almost black (80 EBC), the liquid is clear. Low off-white head. No lacing.
The smell got distinct notes of chocolate bars. Some cocoa and some hay-hops.
Hints of wax in the taste. Milk chocolate. Toasted bread. Smooth light bitter flavours in the aftertaste as well as some cocoa and noble hops.
The carbonation is medium strong, medium sized bubbles. The liquid is semi-smooth.
An OK schwartzbier, but the wax-like flavours spoils it a bit.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
The colour is almost black (80 EBC), the liquid is clear. Low off-white head. No lacing.
The smell got distinct notes of chocolate bars. Some cocoa and some hay-hops.
Hints of wax in the taste. Milk chocolate. Toasted bread. Smooth light bitter flavours in the aftertaste as well as some cocoa and noble hops.
The carbonation is medium strong, medium sized bubbles. The liquid is semi-smooth.
An OK schwartzbier, but the wax-like flavours spoils it a bit.
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2.94/5 rDev -22.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Pours a curious, translucent muddy caramel color (similar to Maudite) with a frothy tan head that dissipates in fairly short order. The aroma is mild and clean, with a malt sweetness akin to maple syrup. The syrupy sweetness manifests much more in the taste, which is almost bock-like. Not a whole lot of complexity here in spite of the saaz hops touted by the label. To me, the body is too light to support the malty backbone, which perplexes the palate and makes the beer taste watered down in spite of the pronounced sweetness. There is some consolation in the fact that the finish is cleaner than one would expect, but on the whole I feel this brew misses the mark, being short on identity and lacking in complexity.
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look: 2.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Pours a curious, translucent muddy caramel color (similar to Maudite) with a frothy tan head that dissipates in fairly short order. The aroma is mild and clean, with a malt sweetness akin to maple syrup. The syrupy sweetness manifests much more in the taste, which is almost bock-like. Not a whole lot of complexity here in spite of the saaz hops touted by the label. To me, the body is too light to support the malty backbone, which perplexes the palate and makes the beer taste watered down in spite of the pronounced sweetness. There is some consolation in the fact that the finish is cleaner than one would expect, but on the whole I feel this brew misses the mark, being short on identity and lacking in complexity.
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3.56/5 rDev -6.1%
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Poured into a balloon glass. The beer is a dark, dark brown that's hard to see through, but ruby hues come through the light. A cream colored head dissipates to a wisp of bubbles. No lacing whatsoever. The beer smells sweet and malty, with some candy/licorice type of notes. The beer tastes as malty as it smells. There is a bitter hop presence in there toward the end. Faint toffee and licorice notes are in the middle. Somewhat of a complex beer. The mouthfeel is way too carbonated with a dry finish.
Overall, I started to like this beer a little more as I drank it. I feel that it's way too carbonated though, but it has a good taste profile.
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look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 3
Poured into a balloon glass. The beer is a dark, dark brown that's hard to see through, but ruby hues come through the light. A cream colored head dissipates to a wisp of bubbles. No lacing whatsoever. The beer smells sweet and malty, with some candy/licorice type of notes. The beer tastes as malty as it smells. There is a bitter hop presence in there toward the end. Faint toffee and licorice notes are in the middle. Somewhat of a complex beer. The mouthfeel is way too carbonated with a dry finish.
Overall, I started to like this beer a little more as I drank it. I feel that it's way too carbonated though, but it has a good taste profile.
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3.57/5 rDev -5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A clear deep reddish brown beer, an off-white head with little lacing and small curtains.
Honey and bread, cereal, butter and after a while burned candid sugar.
Some burned bread and sugar, oranges and orange peel.
Little carbonation, soft with a small body, slightly dry.
Well composed, balanced and easy to drink.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A clear deep reddish brown beer, an off-white head with little lacing and small curtains.
Honey and bread, cereal, butter and after a while burned candid sugar.
Some burned bread and sugar, oranges and orange peel.
Little carbonation, soft with a small body, slightly dry.
Well composed, balanced and easy to drink.
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3.53/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Pours a cola brown color capped by a rocky tan head that leaves a few strands behind
Smell: Brown sugar, toasted grains and hints of malty chocolate
Taste: Brown sugar, chocolate malt and toasted grains, up front, with a growing sweet mocha character that dominates mid-palate and through the finish
Mouthfeel: Medium body with low to moderate carbonation
Overall: Not a bad beer at all, though I wish there a bit more hops involved to balance out the sweeter flavors
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance: Pours a cola brown color capped by a rocky tan head that leaves a few strands behind
Smell: Brown sugar, toasted grains and hints of malty chocolate
Taste: Brown sugar, chocolate malt and toasted grains, up front, with a growing sweet mocha character that dominates mid-palate and through the finish
Mouthfeel: Medium body with low to moderate carbonation
Overall: Not a bad beer at all, though I wish there a bit more hops involved to balance out the sweeter flavors
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4/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Pours a deep brown color with a thick head that fades to some lacing.
S: Aroma of dark chocolate, roasted malt and some dark fruit.
T: Taste of dark chocolate, coffee, roasted malt with a bit of dark fruit sweetness. There is a nice bitterness and a clean finish.
F: Medium body, smooth and quite creamy.
O: Good drinker that goes down easy. Good example of the style. Well worth checking out.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A: Pours a deep brown color with a thick head that fades to some lacing.
S: Aroma of dark chocolate, roasted malt and some dark fruit.
T: Taste of dark chocolate, coffee, roasted malt with a bit of dark fruit sweetness. There is a nice bitterness and a clean finish.
F: Medium body, smooth and quite creamy.
O: Good drinker that goes down easy. Good example of the style. Well worth checking out.
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3.8/5 rDev +0.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from 500mL bottle into a pint glass.
Appearance: rich, dark brown, nearing black in hue. Head is a thick finger of frothy dark-tan foam. Quite nice!
Smell: sweet malt with a light fruitiness and a hint of grain which balances things out quite well. I like it a lot.
Taste: light malt flavor with similar character to the aroma, but a lot milder in intensity. I like it, but it is not as flavorful as the aroma led me to believe.
Mouthfeel: light body but with a really nice carbonation that lends a surprising creaminess. Good!
Overall: I wish this beer weren't so mild, but that being said it is still quite tasty and very quaffable indeed. I'd have this again.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Poured from 500mL bottle into a pint glass.
Appearance: rich, dark brown, nearing black in hue. Head is a thick finger of frothy dark-tan foam. Quite nice!
Smell: sweet malt with a light fruitiness and a hint of grain which balances things out quite well. I like it a lot.
Taste: light malt flavor with similar character to the aroma, but a lot milder in intensity. I like it, but it is not as flavorful as the aroma led me to believe.
Mouthfeel: light body but with a really nice carbonation that lends a surprising creaminess. Good!
Overall: I wish this beer weren't so mild, but that being said it is still quite tasty and very quaffable indeed. I'd have this again.
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3.37/5 rDev -11.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Served at Pilsener Haus Biergarten in Hoboken, NJ.
A: Pours brownish amber and clear with a half finger tall off white head. Head reduces pretty quickly but a thin layer of bubbles remains over the entire top of the beer. Moderate lacing is present.
S: Aromas are of sweet dark malts.
T: Flavors are just like the smell, primarily sweet and dark malts. Seems a little out of balance and could do with the addition of a small amount of hops.
M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Slightly smooth.
O: A little too out of balance for me to really enjoy - I want a slight amount of bitterness and/or hops to make the flavor profile whole for me. Not overly easy to drink... Not sure that I would really want to go out of my way to sample this again.
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look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Served at Pilsener Haus Biergarten in Hoboken, NJ.
A: Pours brownish amber and clear with a half finger tall off white head. Head reduces pretty quickly but a thin layer of bubbles remains over the entire top of the beer. Moderate lacing is present.
S: Aromas are of sweet dark malts.
T: Flavors are just like the smell, primarily sweet and dark malts. Seems a little out of balance and could do with the addition of a small amount of hops.
M: Medium bodied with moderate carbonation. Slightly smooth.
O: A little too out of balance for me to really enjoy - I want a slight amount of bitterness and/or hops to make the flavor profile whole for me. Not overly easy to drink... Not sure that I would really want to go out of my way to sample this again.
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3.58/5 rDev -5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
A: The beer is relatively clear very dark brownish amber in color. It poured with a finger high beige head that died down but never completely faded away.
S: There are sweet aromas of dark malts in the nose along with some hints of toffee.
T: Like the smell, the taste is relatively sweet and has flavors of dark malts and notes of molasses.
M: It feels medium-bodied and a bit smooth on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer isn’t overly difficult to drink but could use a little more hops to help balance out some of the sweetness.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
A: The beer is relatively clear very dark brownish amber in color. It poured with a finger high beige head that died down but never completely faded away.
S: There are sweet aromas of dark malts in the nose along with some hints of toffee.
T: Like the smell, the taste is relatively sweet and has flavors of dark malts and notes of molasses.
M: It feels medium-bodied and a bit smooth on the palate with a moderate amount of carbonation.
O: This beer isn’t overly difficult to drink but could use a little more hops to help balance out some of the sweetness.
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4/5 rDev +5.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Out of a bottle this beer was a dark brown color with some garnet highlights that appeared when held up to sunlight. The head was a thin layer of tan foam that retained fairly well and left sliding bands of lacing. The aroma was of chocolate, brown sugar, molasses, bread and toasted malt. The flavors were just plain delicious and I was impressed. I tasted lots of chocolate, caramel and some honey followed by some earthy malt and toasted malt. I also tasted some dark fruits as it warmed up. The finish was clean and crisp aided by just enough Czech (Saaz?) hops. The mouthfeel was smooth, the body medium and the carbonation perfect. This, in short, was the best authentic Euro Dark Lager I’ve ever had and I can now see what this brewery has been doing for over a 1,000 (!) years.
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look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
Out of a bottle this beer was a dark brown color with some garnet highlights that appeared when held up to sunlight. The head was a thin layer of tan foam that retained fairly well and left sliding bands of lacing. The aroma was of chocolate, brown sugar, molasses, bread and toasted malt. The flavors were just plain delicious and I was impressed. I tasted lots of chocolate, caramel and some honey followed by some earthy malt and toasted malt. I also tasted some dark fruits as it warmed up. The finish was clean and crisp aided by just enough Czech (Saaz?) hops. The mouthfeel was smooth, the body medium and the carbonation perfect. This, in short, was the best authentic Euro Dark Lager I’ve ever had and I can now see what this brewery has been doing for over a 1,000 (!) years.
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3.98/5 rDev +5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4
My first Tmavé (Dark Czech lager). A fresh bottle that made it to the US - nice.
Pours a chestnut brown color with lot of carbonation. The head is sticky and has no quit in it at all.
I've heard these beers are similar to a dunkel/schwarzbier hybrid and I'm finding that to be true.
A very clean nose of lager yeast and straight ahead dark malts. Simple, but solid. No complaints from me.
The flavor profile also follows that simple but solid path. Hazelnut, milk chocolate, and just a hint of mild saaz hops in the finish. Creamy texture (no diacetyl, though) and the soft water makes this about as straight ahead as they come...but it's simple in a good way.
I'd say it reminds me a lot of a Munich dunkel, which is a style I'm far more familiar with. It's somewhat similar to Augustiner and Ayinger dunkels. I think the darker Franconian dunkels might be close, too. Maybe a hint drier and with softer hopping.
While not the geekiest thing in the world, I'm a big fan of milder dark lagers and this fits that role nicely.
I'll be on the lookout for more of these Tmavé lagers and I'll likely grab some more bottles of this particular beer in the future. Rock Solid. If other dark Czech lagers are anything like this one, I need to go.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4
My first Tmavé (Dark Czech lager). A fresh bottle that made it to the US - nice.
Pours a chestnut brown color with lot of carbonation. The head is sticky and has no quit in it at all.
I've heard these beers are similar to a dunkel/schwarzbier hybrid and I'm finding that to be true.
A very clean nose of lager yeast and straight ahead dark malts. Simple, but solid. No complaints from me.
The flavor profile also follows that simple but solid path. Hazelnut, milk chocolate, and just a hint of mild saaz hops in the finish. Creamy texture (no diacetyl, though) and the soft water makes this about as straight ahead as they come...but it's simple in a good way.
I'd say it reminds me a lot of a Munich dunkel, which is a style I'm far more familiar with. It's somewhat similar to Augustiner and Ayinger dunkels. I think the darker Franconian dunkels might be close, too. Maybe a hint drier and with softer hopping.
While not the geekiest thing in the world, I'm a big fan of milder dark lagers and this fits that role nicely.
I'll be on the lookout for more of these Tmavé lagers and I'll likely grab some more bottles of this particular beer in the future. Rock Solid. If other dark Czech lagers are anything like this one, I need to go.
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4.32/5 rDev +14%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Appearance: pours a dark brown with burnt orange highlights. Abundant light rocky head dissipates quickly to quarter inch of tan creamyness.
Nose: smells of rising dough and brewing coffee.
Taste: follows the nose with the addition of the spicy herbal Saaz hop character Cech Pilsners have perfected. The sweet/roasted character of the malt really pairs well with this hop profile
Mouthfeel: If not for the abundant carbonation I would call this beer creamy. As is it makes for a substantial yet easily quaffable brew.
Overall: This is almost exactly what I am looking for in a dark lager. The effervescence and clean finish of a lager with the depth of malt character and well constructed hop profile of an ale.
717 characters
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
Appearance: pours a dark brown with burnt orange highlights. Abundant light rocky head dissipates quickly to quarter inch of tan creamyness.
Nose: smells of rising dough and brewing coffee.
Taste: follows the nose with the addition of the spicy herbal Saaz hop character Cech Pilsners have perfected. The sweet/roasted character of the malt really pairs well with this hop profile
Mouthfeel: If not for the abundant carbonation I would call this beer creamy. As is it makes for a substantial yet easily quaffable brew.
Overall: This is almost exactly what I am looking for in a dark lager. The effervescence and clean finish of a lager with the depth of malt character and well constructed hop profile of an ale.
717 characters
4.15/5 rDev +9.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
500ml bottle poured pint glass 19/1/12
A dark reddish brown with a thumbs width of dark tan head that hangs around for a couple minuets leaving a couple partial rings of lace
S nutty dark toffee, some molasses, chocolate milk and a little over-ripe fruit
T a little more nutty then the nose, maybe a little cold coffee on top of what I smell
M light bodied and leaves your mouth feeling a little slick but its not a bad thing, pretty creamy from the bubbles and a chocolaty nutty aftertaste that lingers
O for style this one's quite good, It has no flaws and is very easy too drink
I'm a little surprised by this one as I didn't expect much but it was pretty good, I'm not saying this is a beer that's going too blow you away but for the style of beer it's great
771 characters
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
500ml bottle poured pint glass 19/1/12
A dark reddish brown with a thumbs width of dark tan head that hangs around for a couple minuets leaving a couple partial rings of lace
S nutty dark toffee, some molasses, chocolate milk and a little over-ripe fruit
T a little more nutty then the nose, maybe a little cold coffee on top of what I smell
M light bodied and leaves your mouth feeling a little slick but its not a bad thing, pretty creamy from the bubbles and a chocolaty nutty aftertaste that lingers
O for style this one's quite good, It has no flaws and is very easy too drink
I'm a little surprised by this one as I didn't expect much but it was pretty good, I'm not saying this is a beer that's going too blow you away but for the style of beer it's great
771 characters
3.53/5 rDev -6.9%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
deep amber capped by a slight off white head with good retention. scent is pretty clean, hint of caramel and yeast. taste is trending sweet with toffee and worther's origional like caramelly goodness, light grassyness. light bodied. This is a good beer, but not as good as another dark lager I just had from the brother neighbor to the east.
341 characters
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
deep amber capped by a slight off white head with good retention. scent is pretty clean, hint of caramel and yeast. taste is trending sweet with toffee and worther's origional like caramelly goodness, light grassyness. light bodied. This is a good beer, but not as good as another dark lager I just had from the brother neighbor to the east.
341 characters
Žatec Dark Lager from Žatecký Pivovar
Beer rating:
84 out of
100 with
108 ratings
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