BJCP 3C · Czech Lager
Czech Amber Lager
An amber Czech lager with caramel and bready malt, spicy Saaz hops and a balanced finish. Rich, rounded and very easy to drink.
Czech Amber Lager by the numbers
- Alcohol (ABV)
- 4.4 – 5.8%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
- Bitterness
- 20 – 35 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
- Color
- 10 – 16 SRM20–32 EBCon a scale of 1 to 40
- Original gravity
- 1.044 – 1.060on a scale of 1.026 to 1.130
- Final gravity
- 1.013 – 1.017on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040
What Czech Amber Lager is like
An amber lager where the malt, with caramel and toasted bread notes, shares the spotlight with spicy Czech hops. Depending on the example, it can lean more toward the malt or toward the hops.
Appearance
Deep amber to dark copper, clear to brilliant. Creamy, long-lasting off-white head.
Aroma
Malt with caramel, bread or light toast, and moderate to low spicy, floral or herbal hops. There may be slight diacetyl or a soft fruity touch.
Flavor
Caramel, bread and some toast, with medium bitterness for balance and spicy hops. The finish may be slightly sweet or drier, but always clean.
Mouthfeel
Medium to medium-full body, smooth and rounded, with low to moderate carbonation.
Where Czech Amber Lager comes from
It corresponds to Czech “polotmavé” or semi-dark beer, a deep-rooted tradition of medium-colored lager in Czechia. It's brewed at different strengths, but the style covers the ležák and special-strength versions.
Ingredients
Czech pilsner malt and Munich or Vienna malt, with caramel malts. Saaz hops, soft water and Czech lager yeast. Decoction mashing is common.
Brew it yourself
How to brew Czech Amber Lager at home
Combine pilsner malt with some Munich and 10-15% caramel malts of different shades for color and depth without making it cloying. Ferment at 8-10 °C (46-50 °F), do a diacetyl rest and lager cold for several weeks; carbonate to 2.2-2.4 volumes. The typical mistake is a sweet, sticky beer from too much caramel and too little bitterness.
Food pairing
Pairs well with goulash, roast pork or mild aged cheeses.
Glassware: beer mug (stein), big and with a handle, as in German and Czech beer halls.
Classic examples
- Bernard Jantarový ležák
Frequently asked questions
How strong is Czech Amber Lager?
Between 4.4% and 5.8% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a moderate strength.
How bitter is Czech Amber Lager?
It has 20 to 35 IBUs, a moderate bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is Czech Amber Lager?
Copper to light brown: 10 to 16 SRM (20 to 32 EBC).
What food pairs well with Czech Amber Lager?
Pairs well with goulash, roast pork or mild aged cheeses.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try International Amber Lager, Märzen and Vienna Lager.
If you like Czech Amber Lager, try these
Classification and statistics: official Czech Amber Lager guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.