BJCP 3D · Czech Lager
Czech Dark Lager
A malt-rich dark Czech lager with caramel, toasted bread and a touch of soft chocolate or coffee, balanced by Saaz hops.
Czech Dark Lager by the numbers
- Alcohol (ABV)
- 4.4 – 5.8%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
- Bitterness
- 18 – 34 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
- Color
- 17 – 35 SRM33–69 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 Dark Lager is like
A dark lager with rich malt, caramel sweetness, toasted bread and soft chocolate or coffee notes, balanced by spicy hops. It can range from quite sweet to drier and more roasty.
Appearance
Dark copper to nearly black, with ruby or garnet highlights, and clear. Dense, long-lasting beige to tan head.
Aroma
Rich malt with caramel, toasted bread, nuts, chocolate or soft coffee, and low to moderate spicy hops. There may be slight diacetyl or a plum-like fruitiness.
Flavor
Sweet, toasty malt with caramel, chocolate or light coffee, and medium to low bitterness for balance. The roast should never be harsh, and the finish can be slightly sweet or dry.
Mouthfeel
Medium to medium-full body, creamy, with moderate to low carbonation.
Where Czech Dark Lager comes from
“Tmavé” are the Czech dark lagers, with a tradition that at some breweries, like U Fleků in Prague, goes back centuries. They're classified by strength in the same way as the pale and amber lagers.
Ingredients
Pilsner and Munich malt with caramel malts and some roasted or chocolate malt. Saaz hops, soft water and Czech lager yeast. It's usually decoction mashed.
Brew it yourself
How to brew Czech Dark Lager at home
Use small amounts of debittered roasted malts to get the dark color without the harshness of a stout. A generous base of Munich and caramel malts gives the rich body. 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 overdoing the roast.
Food pairing
Goes well with braised meats, smoked sausages or not-too-sweet chocolate desserts.
Glassware: beer mug (stein), big and with a handle, as in German and Czech beer halls.
Classic examples
- U Fleků Flekovský tmavý ležák 13°
- Budějovický Budvar Tmavý ležák
Frequently asked questions
How strong is Czech Dark Lager?
Between 4.4% and 5.8% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a moderate strength.
How bitter is Czech Dark Lager?
It has 18 to 34 IBUs, a moderate bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is Czech Dark Lager?
Light brown to black: 17 to 35 SRM (33 to 69 EBC).
What food pairs well with Czech Dark Lager?
Goes well with braised meats, smoked sausages or not-too-sweet chocolate desserts.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try Schwarzbier, Munich Dunkel and International Dark Lager.
If you like Czech Dark Lager, try these
Classification and statistics: official Czech Dark Lager guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.