Herold Cerny Lezák (Bohemian Black Lager) 13°

Brewed by Pivovar Herold
Style: Schwarzbier
Breznice, Czech Republic

This is the best invention since the prenuptual agreement, Unfortuately I did not have one but I have had one ofg these. Black lager!! I didnot know it existed but its blody good. Like a guiness coloured god. Malty and chocolate and firm bittered. One of my all time favs. I like there football tem too.

This brew is rare example of "old world" quality. The dark malt protects both the aroma and flavor from oxidation. The aroma is that of soft, aromatic hops. The most expensive type. The taste is delicate and robust at the same time. This is due to the malt, decotion mashing, soft water and long (by western standards) lager time. An exceptional value and almost always "fresh" tasting.

Czechs for centuries, have brewed dark lagers, the most famous coming from a 15th Century brewpub in Prague called U-Fleku. Herold Bohemian Black Lager comes out of that Czech dark lager traditon, and is a delicious, smooth, complex dark lager, very similar to German schwarzbier or "black beer". This beer is brewed with four different malts including pilsner, crystal, Munich, and black patent. It employs the decoction method of brewing, in which a portion of the mash is removed from the mash tun, heated to a higher temperature, and then returned to the mash. This step in the brewing process gives a beer deep, toasty, and nutty malt character. Herold Bohemian Black is an exceptionally smooth beer, being lagered from 75 to 80 days. This beer is hopped three times with one variety, the famous Bohemian Red, or Saaz hop. Herold Bohemian Black Lager pours to a deep brown/black color with a thick and creamy white head, and a soft carbonation. The nose on this beer is very complex with aromas of sweet malt, nuts, dark chocolate, a hint of roast, a touch of smoke, and grassy hop aromas. The palate is equally complex with a slick and clean mouth feel. Flavors of dark chocolate, sweet malt, nuts, toast, with slight hints of roast and smoke that coat the tongue. This beer is very smooth and drinkable, and weighs in at 5.2% abv. Bohemian Black finishes with more complex dark malt flavors up front, and ends with a slighty grassy/cedary hop bitterness, that balances this beer to perfection. This is an outstanding dark lager with tremendous flavor and character. The label states this beer is a schwarzbier, and indeed it is. However, it is a little different from German examples. Herold Bohemian Black is a bit richer and fuller on the palate than its German counterparts, and a bit more hoppy in aroma and bitterness. This beer would work well with a number of hearty dishes. I would match this with German fare, Barbecued or grilled meats, even Japanese cuisine. Herold Bohemian Black is available in 1/2 liter bottles, and retails for $1.98 a bottle, making it well worth seeking out. A beer of this quality, at that price, is a steal.

Outstanding. Dark, almost stout-like in it’s appearance. Slight beige head. Nice bittersweet chocolate flavors. Full-bodied. Excellent. Got it in Tesco in Northern Ireland and wasn’t expecting much. Was blown away.

Bottled. Very dark brown, close to black colour, mediumsized brown head. Roasted malts and coffee in aroma with caramel coming in a bit weaker. Strong roasted malts and espresso coffee in flavour. Hops comes in aftertaste, along with roast. Extremely wellbalanced and excellent mouthfeel. I think I just got myself a new favourite Czech beer!

Bottled from Tesco. Drinking currently. Pours a very dark pint, with a large head that diminished quickly. Aroma is of coffee, chocolate and malt. Tastes of chocolate, coffee, and the malts come thru at the end of the taste along with Saaz hop at the end of the taste. Very nice beer, and certainly look different!

Excellent Schwarzbier having a deep ruby, almost black, colour. The roasted malts give pronounced coffee and chocolate flavour notes with the initial bitterness nicely complemented by the hoppiness that kicks in with the finish.

Tough crowd! I’m nuts about quality schwartz beers, and this one is the best I’ve had in a long time. One of the best, period. Only thing I can add to describe this is the wonderful mildly flowery Saaz taste. It is beautifully balanced throughout. Gusler and VENOM got it right. Ah! Nectar.