Herold Vyčepní Světlé 10°

Brewed by Pivovar Herold
Style: Bohemian Pilsener
Breznice, Czech Republic

Clear golden coloured body with nice copper highlights and a great micro-froth white head. Bubbles rising from the bottom just like you’d expect. This one looks perfect for the style. Aroma of canned corn, wheat, rice, raisins, caster sugar, grapes and a light malt. Medium-bodied; Tart astringent malt flavour with a light hoppy flavour. Tons of sugars and grapey flavours come out moments later. Taste is full with a good amount of character - especially for the style. Very light and fragrant while still having a nice astringency. Aftertaste leaves the palate sweet, yet tart. Overall, a damn good beer - one of the better lagers i’ve had recently and one to pick up if you can find it! I sampled this twelve ounce bottle purchased at Whole Foods in Tyson’s Corner, Virginia on 03-March-2005.

Update: I hate to descripe this as a poor cousin. No, with its low alcohol content and smaller malt bill, it does not acheive the greatness of the regular Svetle. But its complexity and creaminess would make this the world's greatest breakfast beer. One of my favorites, regardless of ratings. Old (7/03): This is odd--the version of Vycepni Svetle imported to the United States is 4.3%--and better, it seems, than that rated by motelpogo. Big pristine white head over a rich gold body. This has everything that's great about Svetle, "and less." Light but rich maltiness with a little butterscotch and apple but tons of Saaz hop flavor and aroma. Damned good, but at a certain point I can't help thinking that this is just a lighter (and, unfortunately, waterier) version of Svetle.

This is actually a very interesting beer. Although the first smell and sip are not promosing, as the beer goes down you begin to enjoy its complexity. The smell after a while is beer malty rice, which is crisp and refreshing. The flavor is choppy and variant, very different. For a pilsner, it makes a stand and gives you an excellent representation of European flavors. By the time I was done, I wanted some more. You don’t find beer like this in the states.

This is "Herold Traditional Czech Lager" in the states. Different and almost as good as its big brother. The hops are tuned down and the honeyish malts are more up front.

I believe this is the beer I had as "Herold Lager" at Brickskeller, Wash DC, 9/2/05: Golden, moderate activity and a foamy top. Biscuity aroma. Smooth malty tone and a light tinge of watery finish. Smooth and light.

Herold Traditional Czech Lager (Vycepni Svetle), 4.3% ABV. Nice clear golden body with gentle carbonation and a pure white, cottony head. Aroma is round and interesting with elements of pine nuts, toast, warm butter, mild spice and perfume. Pleasant diacetyl level enhances this beer and brings out the malt character which is well-balanced by some subdued hop flavor. Very solid session beer.

A sturdy, satisfying brew. Nutty malt aroma. Distinct sweet golden raisin and figgy notes. Diacetyl. Mellow but characteristic hopping. Straw flavours. Honey gold, good bottle, good label, good head. Mouthy, with a dark syrup and hop finish. This was an agile and well-balanced beer: It was good just to sip and nurse the one, but it would have been good at a picnic/meal, or with hors d’oerves.

Crystal clear, deep gold lager with a mid-sized, fizzy, white head. The aroma is fruity, spicy and interesting. Black pepper, jalapeno pepper, citrusy hops and an unidentified fruit... a morph between peach, avacado and watermelon. The flavor is perfectly balanced via careful bittering. Also delivers just a touch of clover honey. Medium-bodied with a lightly oily mouthfeel and medium carbonation. Lengthy, clean and then bitter finish. Nice surprise!