BJCP 3A · Czech Lager
Czech Pale Lager
A light, pale Czech everyday lager with rich malt flavor for its strength and Saaz hops. Very drinkable and smooth, with a fine bitterness.
Czech Pale Lager by the numbers
- Alcohol (ABV)
- 3.0 – 4.1%on a scale of 2.0 to 14.0
- Bitterness
- 20 – 35 IBUon a scale of 0 to 100
- Color
- 3 – 6 SRM6–12 EBCon a scale of 1 to 40
- Original gravity
- 1.028 – 1.044on a scale of 1.026 to 1.130
- Final gravity
- 1.008 – 1.014on a scale of 0.990 to 1.040
What Czech Pale Lager is like
A low-alcohol pale lager with more flavor than its gravity suggests: bready malt, spicy Saaz hops and a clean bitterness. It's the everyday draft beer in Czechia.
Appearance
Straw to light gold, clear to brilliant. Creamy white head that lasts quite a while.
Aroma
Light bready or grainy malt and low to medium floral, herbal or spicy hops. A very slight hint of diacetyl is possible.
Flavor
Bready, slightly sweet malt, spicy Saaz hops and medium to medium-high but soft bitterness. The finish is clean and somewhat dry, with a bitterness that lingers a little.
Mouthfeel
Light to medium-light body and moderate carbonation; smooth.
Where Czech Pale Lager comes from
It corresponds to the “výčepní pivo” or draft beer category, the most widely drunk in Czechia. Czech beers are traditionally classified by degrees Plato, and this one is usually around 10 °P.
Ingredients
Czech pilsner malt, sometimes with a little very light caramel malt. Czech Saaz hops, very soft water and Czech lager yeast. It's often decoction mashed.
Brew it yourself
How to brew Czech Pale Lager at home
Use very soft water, for example reverse osmosis water with very few salts, because Saaz with hard water gives a harsh bitterness. A decoction or a step mash helps build malt flavor in such a light beer. Ferment at 8-10 °C (46-50 °F), do a diacetyl rest and lager cold for a few weeks; carbonate to about 2.3 volumes. The typical mistake is a watery beer from not using malt with enough character.
Food pairing
Pairs well with cured sausages, grilled sausages or spicy fried potatoes.
Glassware: beer mug (stein), big and with a handle, as in German and Czech beer halls.
Classic examples
- Únětické pivo 10°
- Notch Session Pils
Frequently asked questions
How strong is Czech Pale Lager?
Between 3.0% and 4.1% ABV, according to the BJCP 2021 Style Guidelines. That is a low strength.
How bitter is Czech Pale Lager?
It has 20 to 35 IBUs, a moderate bitterness. For reference, a mass-market lager is around 10 IBUs.
What color is Czech Pale Lager?
Straw to gold: 3 to 6 SRM (6 to 12 EBC).
What food pairs well with Czech Pale Lager?
Pairs well with cured sausages, grilled sausages or spicy fried potatoes.
Which styles are similar?
If you like it, also try Czech Premium Pale Lager, German Leichtbier and German Pils.
If you like Czech Pale Lager, try these
Classification and statistics: official Czech Pale Lager guidelines from the BJCP, 2021 edition. Original text by Hacer Cerveza Casera.