Half A Mind
Double Elbow Beer
- From:
- Double Elbow Beer
- Minnesota, United States
- Style:
- Czech Amber Lager
- ABV:
- 4.9%
- Score:
- +9 ratings needed
- Avg:
- 4.15 | pDev: 0%
- Ratings:
- | reviews: 1
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- Mar 17, 2026
- Added:
- Mar 10, 2026
- Wants:
- 0
- Gots:
- 0
NO SCORE
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What is Polotmavý, anyway? Sandwiched between the more famous Světlý (pale) and Tmavý (dark) Czech lagers lies Polotmavý, literally translated as "half-dark." Ok, so we know at least something about it from the name. Americans typically refer to it as "Czech Amber Lager" and, well, tough to object. Much in the way that Altbier resists easy codification, Polotmavý is one of those things that feels a little bit... uncertain. Malty but not roasty, bitter but also a bit sweet, round in the way that Czech beers so often are, does it skew more towards Urquell or U Fleků? Well, kinda, both? A collaboration with my friend Matt from Sway up in Door County, WI? His brewing ethos echoes many of the same values that mine does - attention to detail, small beers, mindfully-sourced ingredients, anachronistic process nonsense - and we felt like this might be a fun and enriching journey to go on together. We had half a mind to try it out, anyway. Hopefully you enjoy our flight of fancy.
Recent ratings and reviews.
Reviewed by MonDak_Joe1953 from Minnesota
4.15/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
4.15/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
16oz can, adhesive label. Bottom stamp is '03/09/26' for canning date.
Clear, medium amber colored body. Off white head, up to two fingers with the pour, and this reduces to a bubbly cap and higher ring.
Aroma of roasted but not bitter malts, and a bunch of chocolate milk.
Taste is similar to the nose - sweet and roasty. Has a panoply of chocolate flavors, with a little extra bitterness way at the end of the profile. Roasted grains, with hints of cream and caramel. Shimmering floral note. Mellow grainy aftertaste.
A little more than medium mouthfeel. Coats the mouth but ends dry and clean. A little spicy. Very good carbonation.
Really flavorful for its ABV%. Sessionable. Has both sweet and bitter bits but well balanced between the two.
Mar 17, 2026Clear, medium amber colored body. Off white head, up to two fingers with the pour, and this reduces to a bubbly cap and higher ring.
Aroma of roasted but not bitter malts, and a bunch of chocolate milk.
Taste is similar to the nose - sweet and roasty. Has a panoply of chocolate flavors, with a little extra bitterness way at the end of the profile. Roasted grains, with hints of cream and caramel. Shimmering floral note. Mellow grainy aftertaste.
A little more than medium mouthfeel. Coats the mouth but ends dry and clean. A little spicy. Very good carbonation.
Really flavorful for its ABV%. Sessionable. Has both sweet and bitter bits but well balanced between the two.
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