How To Brew Czech Dark Lager Beer: From Prague to Pint With This European Elixir

Czech Dark Lager poses a little dark secret. They are the second most popular beer style in the region. pFriem Czech Dark Lager is one of these beers that are ordered several times in pubs throughout the Czech Republic.

With aromas of toasted bread, toffee, and dates and notes of chocolate, and caramel on the palate.

This tmavé pivo or “dark beer” proves that there’s nothing wrong with being the second most popular.

While looking around to see what has been written about Czech Dark Lagers, I decided on a little beer fact list of sorts about the beer loving land that is Czech Republic.

Some think of it as a “beer drinkers paradise.”

Here are some beery facts to get your thirsty for another pint.

• Fact #1: Czech Republic drinks more beer per capita than any other nation in the world.

Kirin Brewery in Japan performs a survey each year and each year Czech Republic comes out on top. In 2013, the average Czech drank 147 liters, almost 40 liters more than any other nationality. On average, Americans drink only 76 liters per year.

• Fact #2: Nearly everyone is obsessed with beer.

In America, we usually categorize beer, wine, and spirits together. The Czechs take national pride in their beer and believe it belongs in a special, separate category all by itself.

• Fact #3: The first brewery opened in 993 AD.

Beer was usually brewed by monks in monasteries. The monastery in the Břevnov district in Prague started brewing beer in the 10th Century and recently started making beer again after a 120-year hiatus.

• Fact #4: In the 13th Century, death was the punishment for stealing hops. 

To prove how important hops were to the local economy, King Václav II of Bohemia thought this was a way to deter people from stealing such a national treasure. It is unknown if anyone ever tested the limits of this punishment.

• Fact #5 : Pilsner-style beer originally came from Plzeň (Pilsen).

A globally known beer first appeared in the 19th century in Plzeň. Pilsner Urquell was first produced in 1842 and quickly became an extremely popular beer throughout the world.

• Fact #6: Czech Republic is home to the original Budweiser. 

I know, I know, I said the dirty little B-word. The official language of Czech Republic is German. Budweiser is what they call beer in České Budějovice, which is called Budweis in German. German immigrant Adolphus Busch emigrated to America and started a brewery called Bubweiser.

• Fact #7: Communism crippled the Czech brewing industry. 

For several centuries, almost every Czech town has their own brewery. It has been said that there were over 1,000 small breweries in Czech Republic in the early 20th century.

The brewing industry was nationalized after the fall of the Iron Curtain. The result was the rise of the larger breweries and mass produced beer. Today, smaller breweries are making a come back.

• Fact #8: Czech beer is categorized in degrees.

Beer in Czech Republic is categorized according to the Balling scale, which represents the weight of liquids.

The higher the degree means more sugar and therefore more alcohol. Usually Czech lagers are 10 or 12 degrees, which equates to 4-5% abv.

• Fact #9 Old time Czech beer drinkers sometimes like more foam than beer.

This was a common way to check the quality of a beer. You experience the sweet taste of the foam and the bitter flavor of the beer.

• Fact #10 Early in and early out

Czechs like their beer, no doubt. They also like to socialize while having their beers. Drinking is meant to be done after work where locals can talk with family and friends.

Rarely do you see people drinking to get drunk, but rather the Czechs take a much more refined and controlled approach with their beer consumption.

Reservations are usually a must and tables start to fill up by 5 or 6 in the evening. Usually beer halls close by 11 or 12.

• Fact #11: Know your Czech beer etiquette.

Use your beer coaster, your waiter or waitress will appreciate it. When you toast, say “na zdraví,” which translates to “to your health.” Make eye contact with each person you touch glasses with.

When ordering another round, use your thumb to represent 1 beer and your thumb and forefinger for 2 beers and so on.

Style Profile for Czech Dark Lager

Appearance

Color ranges from dark copper to almost black; sometimes with a reddish tint. Clear to bright clarity. Large, off-white to tan head which is quite persistent.

Aroma

Sweet maltiness with optional qualities such as bread crusts, toast, nuts, cola, dark fruits, or caramel.

Roasted malt characters such as chocolate or sweetened coffee can vary from moderate to none but should not overwhelm the base malt character.

Low, spicy hop aroma is optional. Low diacetyl and low fruity esters may be present.

Mouthfeel

Medium to medium-full body with considerable mouthfeel without being heavy or cloying. Moderately creamy.

Taste

Medium to medium-high deep, complex maltiness. Malt flavors include: caramel, toast, nuts, licorice, dried dark fruit, chocolate, and coffee malt. Low to moderate roast character.

Hop flavor can be moderately-low to none at all. Hop bitterness may be moderate to medium-low and should be noticeable.

Tips for Brewing your own Czech Dark Lager

Grain

Bohemian floor malted Pilsner once again will be your base grain for this beer. Caramunich I will assist in the enhanced body and malt character in the beer.

Victory malt will help you achieve that nutty, toasty, and biscuit-like flavors and the bready aromas. Of course the chocolate malt aids in the color and the rich chocolate flavor and aroma in this beer.

Hops

As with Czech Pale Lager, Saaz hops are the showcase here. Saaz can be used for bitterness, aroma, and taste.

Sterling and Tettnang can be a quick substitute if Saaz hops are not available at your local homebrew shop.

The profile for Sterling and Tettnang are very similar to Saaz. Two ounces at 60 minutes and an additional ounce with 15 minutes left in the boil should be the hop additions.

Yeast

• Wyeast: Bohemian Lager 2124, Czech Pils 2278
• White Labs: Pilsner lager Yeast WLP800, Czech Budejovice Lager Yeast WLP802, German Lager Yeast WLP 830
• Imperial Yeast: Urkel L28

Water:

Plzen water is some of the softest water used in brewing. The best way to replicate Plzen water is to use store bought distilled water.

If you are going to treat your water, know that the Parts Per Million (PPM) levels for your common minerals need to be in single digits.

Fermentation:

Ferment at 50°F (10°C) or whatever your yeast manufacturer suggests until your final gravity is reached. It is a good idea to increase the temperature by about ten degrees at the end of fermentation to assist in diacetyl cleanup.

Once the beer completes fermentation and after the diacetyl rest, you may want to cold crash it to 35°F (2°C) for about 4 weeks to improve clarity.

Czech Dark Lager By the Numbers

• Color Range: 14 – 35 SRM
• Original Gravity: 1.044 – 1.060 OG
• Final Gravity: 1.013 – 1.017 FG
• IBU Range: 18 – 34
• ABV Range: 4.4 – 5.8%

Czech Dark Lager Homebrew Recipe

Grain

• 69% 6 lbs Pilsner, Floor Malted Bohemian
• 11% 1lb Caramunich I
• 11% 1 lb Victory Malt
• 9% 12 oz Chocolate Malt

Hops

• 2 ozs Tettnang Pellets – Boil 60.0 min
• 1.00 oz Saaz Pellets – Boil 15.0 min

Yeast

• 1.0 pkg German Lager Yeast WLP 830

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Czech Dark Lager’s Unique Flavor Profile?

The Czech Dark Lager is a complex beer with a medium to medium-high maltiness that includes flavors such as caramel, toast, nuts, licorice, dried dark fruit, chocolate, and coffee malt. It may also have a low to moderate roast character.

The aroma is equally complex, featuring sweet maltiness with optional qualities like bread crusts, toast, nuts, cola, dark fruits, or caramel. The beer is medium to medium-full in body and moderately creamy in mouthfeel.

How Does the Czech Dark Lager Water Profile Affect the Brewing Process?

The water profile for brewing a Czech Dark Lager is crucial. Plzen water, known for its softness, is often used as a base. If you’re treating your water, the Parts Per Million (PPM) levels for common minerals should be in single digits.

This soft water profile allows for a more authentic Czech Dark Lager experience, emphasizing the malt and hop flavors without the interference of mineral content.

What are the Recommended Ingredients for a Czech Dark Lager Recipe?

For brewing your own Czech Dark Lager, Bohemian floor-malted Pilsner is recommended as the base grain. Caramunich I enhances the body and malt character, while Victory malt contributes nutty, toasty, and biscuit-like flavors.

Chocolate malt is used for color and rich chocolate flavor. Saaz hops are the go-to for both bitterness and aroma, although Sterling and Tettnang can be used as substitutes.

How Long Should You Lager a Czech Dark Lager?

The fermentation process for a Czech Dark Lager involves fermenting at 50°F (10°C) until the final gravity is reached.

After fermentation and a diacetyl rest, it’s advisable to cold crash the beer to 35°F (2°C) for about four weeks to improve clarity. This lagering period allows the flavors to meld and results in a cleaner, crisper beer.

How Do You Say Cheers in Czech and What is the Etiquette?

When toasting in the Czech Republic, the phrase to use is “na zdraví,” which translates to “to your health.” It’s customary to make eye contact with each person you’re toasting with.

Understanding and following this etiquette shows respect for Czech traditions and enhances the beer-drinking experience.