Orloj
Xül Beer Co.

Pours a dark, but not opaque, brown with a bit of mahogany around the limb when held up to the light. Foam is lighter tan, initially moderate before fading to pretty persistent lacing. Smell is malty but with noteworthy smoky (more than roasted) and rye notes. Very distinctive. Flavor starts very clean, with roasted grain. Malt joins second, dominating the middle flavor before leaving the aftertaste again to the roasted grain. Mouthfeel is very crisp and dry, with carbonation and moderate hops balancing the body very well, encouraging more drinking. Overall, this feels like a great session beer, full of flavor without being too full of body or alcohol. As only the second example of a Dark Czech lager that I've experienced, and neither native-born, I can't say if this is true to style, but it definitely measures up well with against the related German styles, with some distinctive flavor differences.

Dated 12/13/25 BIG BLACK CLOCK, into a Southern Grist Czech style mug.

Pours a deep dark brown with tan foam. Aroma is rich brown sugar, honey, and dark cocoa. Flavor is similar with lots of molasses and a floral hop kick on the back end. Very balanced and surprisingly crisp but with great dark malt flavors and a little hop bite. There's a good amount of dark cocoa and some light roast espresso that I enjoy, but nothing burnt and the roasty flavors are actually pretty minimal. Overall, it leans lighter with brighter flavors just balanced out by darker notes, which makes it a lot more complex than more standard examples of the style. Finish is crisp but with a little sugar, not too bitter, just enough to counteract the darkness of the malts. Feel is great, lower carbonation which lets the complex flavors shine and it's extremely easy to drink without being too light.

Shockingly, Xul does traditional Czech lagers with the same grace and attention to detail that they do with their fruited sours and IPAs. It's kind of wild that this lager feels innovative but also true to style while being such high quality.

On tap at the Hardin location earlier this evening.

Black body, syring tan head, rings of lacing. Aroma is malty. On tasting, smooth, clean, slightly sweet. Roast is restrained, which I appreciate. Finish is is clean.

Overall, nice lager, and a hard to find style. Thanks Xul.

 

 

A very light khaki head slowly falls from 1.5" to a thin blanket. Meanwhile the beer is gem-clear, dark brown (SRM 28-33) with dark auburn highlights. A complex patchwork of lace forms on a tall Pilsner glass.

The aroma is rich and bready, similar to fresh baked wheat bread, with a hint of sourness. Possibly some milk chocolate and cashews. The malt acquires a toasted quality with warming.

The malt is beautifully presented here, with lightly toasted caramelization. Pumpernickel bread adds a light nuttiness. These is some faint milk chocolate early in the sip that fades as the malt flavor builds bready characteristics. The finish if brief and mild. The balance is exquisite with light bitterness in equal measure to sweetness.

It has a full body with a creamy texture. There is a light touch of alcohol and fine, soft carbonation. It leans toward being dry, despite a slight sugary residue left on the lips.

Of the few identified Czech Dark Lagers I have tried, this one is far and away the most enjoyable. I can envision spending a long afternoon, lingering into the evening at a pub with friends casually talking or playing cards while rounds of this beer flow. I will definitely seek more of this one to enjoy on a summer afternoon.