Czech Premium Pale Lager Tasting – BJCP Category 3B

This episode was a long time coming. In more than one way. First off, Jesse brewed a Czech Premium Pale Lager so we’d have two things to taste, and it just took way longer to lager than we were expecting.

Then on top of that, we kept right on filming, and our editing staff (Mike) just couldn’t keep up. So here we are, 3 months later, and we’re finally releasing it. Colorado has gone back into the COVID-19 restrictions, and since Jesse and I aren’t in the same household, we’ve taken a bit of a break from filming. So if you’re wondering why we’re right in the same house, it’s because we filmed this back before those restrictions when into place right after Thanksgiving of 2020.

Mike hasn’t been having any luck with his Czech Pale Lager, it was still lagering as of December of 2020, we just tried it, and it has some diacetyl problems. Unlike Jesse’s beer, it just isn’t working out. Mike’s going to have to give this another shot.

Jesse’s Recipe can be found right here:

• Did I Do That?! – Czech Premium Pilsner Recipe (All Grain / BIAB)

The Pilsner Urquell really blew Mike away. Most of the Czech Pilsners that he’s had were fairly straightforward, in the better examples, not much flavor to them except for a sharp bitterness, and in the less favored examples they didn’t even have that sharp hop bitterness.

The Pilsner Urquell has a lot going for it in the flavor department, just very complex. Some really nice grainy notes and sweet malt and caramel flavors, but it still brings the bitterness to the party. Really great beer.

Now, for the style! From the BJCP 2015 Guidelines

Overall Impression

• Rich, characterful, pale Czech lager, with considerable malt and hop character and a long, rounded finish.
• Complex yet well-balanced and  refreshing.
• The malt flavors are complex for a Pilsner-type beer, and the bitterness is strong but clean and without harshness, which gives a rounded impression that enhances drinkability.

Appearance

• Gold to deep gold color.
• Brilliant to very clear clarity.

Aroma

• Medium to medium-high bready-rich malt and medium-low to medium-high spicy, floral, or herbal hop bouquet; though the balance between the malt and hops may vary, the interplay is rich and complex.
• Light diacetyl, or very low fruity hop-derived esters are acceptable, but need not be present.

Flavor

• Rich, complex, bready maltiness combined with a pronounced yet soft and rounded bitterness and floral and spicy hop flavor.
• Malt and hop flavors are medium to medium high, and the malt may contain a slight impression of caramel.
• Bitterness is prominent but never harsh. The long finish can be balanced towards hops or malt but is never aggressively tilted either way.
• Light to moderate diacetyl and low hop-derived esters are acceptable, but need not be present.

Mouthfeel

• Medium body.
• Moderate to low carbonation.