Beer of the Weekend #285: Staropramen
For whatever reason, our bathroom started smelling like Czech pilsner this week. I have no clue why, and I have yet to ask Mervgotti about it. Regardless, it has me craving Czech pilsner, so I bought a bottle down at John’s to drink for my health tonight.
The beer tonight is Staropramen, brewed by Pivovar Staropramen Praské Pivovary of Prague, Czech Republic.
I bought it because I saw it advertised in last month’s BeerAdvocate. According to the ad, it is the “#1 Prague beer in the world.”
Serving type: One 330 ml (11.2-ounce) bottle. The “BEST BEFORE END” date is “05 AUG 2012.”
Appearance: Poured into a stange. The color is gold or bronze. Four fingers of fluffy, white head dissipated quickly to leave trails of foam on the glass, a billowy cap, and, eventually, a spotted lacing and ring around the edge.
Smell: It has that enticing Czech skunkiness right out of the bottle. The aroma is clean and crisp with tons of barnyard hay and grassy Saaz hops. There is also lemon zest, apple tartness, and spice.
Taste: Delicious and refreshing. Lots of light malts, Saaziness (grass and bitterness), lemon zest, green apple tartness, and a little metallic bitterness.
Drinkability: It is not going to blow one away with its complexity, but it is a very tasty pilsner that, as far as my experience goes, exemplifies the style.
Fun facts about Staropramen:
-Style: BA classifies it as Czech “Pilsener.” Here are the details:
-Price: $1.89/bottle at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
-Serving temperature: 46ºF.
-Alcohol content: 5 percent ABV.
-Food pairings: Beers of the World recommends “bread and cheese.” By comparison, BA goes all out, recommending curried cuisine, Indian, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Pan Asian, and sharp cheeses (Blue, Cheddar).
-According to Beers of the World, the word “staropramen” means “old spring.”
-From the Staropramen website:
-Here is one thing I should start doing on these posts: showcase the beer’s television commercials, when applicable. Here a Staropramen commercial:
I think this marks the first time I have ever heard Czech spoken. Personally, Slavic languages have never appealed to me.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B.
The beer tonight is Staropramen, brewed by Pivovar Staropramen Praské Pivovary of Prague, Czech Republic.
I bought it because I saw it advertised in last month’s BeerAdvocate. According to the ad, it is the “#1 Prague beer in the world.”
Serving type: One 330 ml (11.2-ounce) bottle. The “BEST BEFORE END” date is “05 AUG 2012.”
Appearance: Poured into a stange. The color is gold or bronze. Four fingers of fluffy, white head dissipated quickly to leave trails of foam on the glass, a billowy cap, and, eventually, a spotted lacing and ring around the edge.
Smell: It has that enticing Czech skunkiness right out of the bottle. The aroma is clean and crisp with tons of barnyard hay and grassy Saaz hops. There is also lemon zest, apple tartness, and spice.
Taste: Delicious and refreshing. Lots of light malts, Saaziness (grass and bitterness), lemon zest, green apple tartness, and a little metallic bitterness.
Drinkability: It is not going to blow one away with its complexity, but it is a very tasty pilsner that, as far as my experience goes, exemplifies the style.
Fun facts about Staropramen:
-Style: BA classifies it as Czech “Pilsener.” Here are the details:
The birth of Pilsner beer can be traced back to its namesake, the ancient city of Plzen (or Pilsen) which is situated in the western half of the Czech Republic in what was once Czechoslovakia and previously part of the of Bohemian Kingdom. Pilsner beer was first brewed back in the 1840's when the citizens, brewers and maltsters of Plzen formed a brewer's guild and called it the People's Brewery of Pilsen.
The Czech Pilsner, or sometimes known as the Bohemian Pilsner, is light straw to golden color and crystal clear. Hops are very prevalent usually with a spicy bitterness and or a spicy floral flavor and aroma, notably one of the defining characteristics of the Saaz hop. Smooth and crisp with a clean malty palate, many are grassy. Some of the originals will show some archaic yeast characteristics similar to very mild buttery or fusel (rose like alcohol) flavors and aromas.
-Price: $1.89/bottle at John’s Grocery in Iowa City.
-Serving temperature: 46ºF.
-Alcohol content: 5 percent ABV.
-Food pairings: Beers of the World recommends “bread and cheese.” By comparison, BA goes all out, recommending curried cuisine, Indian, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Pan Asian, and sharp cheeses (Blue, Cheddar).
-According to Beers of the World, the word “staropramen” means “old spring.”
-From the Staropramen website:
In every glass of Staropramen lies the free spirit of Prague. Within this city of lovable sins, Staropramen will inspire to savour your zest for life amongst your friends. The well balanced, full bodied, highly drinkable and pleasantly smooth taste of our Premium Lager offers a rewarding pleasure of the genuine Czech beer. Each Staropramen variety is unique. Choose one, and let her take you to this magical land.
-Here is one thing I should start doing on these posts: showcase the beer’s television commercials, when applicable. Here a Staropramen commercial:
I think this marks the first time I have ever heard Czech spoken. Personally, Slavic languages have never appealed to me.
The Quiet Man’s grade: B.
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