Staropramen Ležák (Premium Lager) 12°

Brewed by Staropramen Breweries (InBev)
Style: Bohemian Pilsener
Prague, Czech Republic

Had a 12 oz. bottle at a Greek restaurant. Actually went pretty well with the olive and spice-based appetizers. Of course, the food probably hid some of the aroma and taste of the beer, but all and all, not a bad Pilsner. Will have to try again sometime when other factors aren’t present.

I’ve had Staropramen Lezak both on tap in Prague and in bottles, but for this rating, I’m concentrating on the bottled (well, more speicifically, the one sitting in front of me). Staropramen isn’t one of my favourite Bohemian Pilsners (Pilsen Urquell, Budvar (Budweiser) and Gambrinus all knock spots off it) but my local supermarket has recently stopped stocking Pilsen Urquell (bah to them!). It pours nicely with a decent head. The aroma is fairly nice, with that sharp crispness particular to Pilseners (although, not as nice as others), the appearance is quite pleasant, marginally darker than some other Pilseners, although maybe I’m splitting hairs. The taste isn’t bad either, but you don’t get the nice sharp after taste of other brands, and in the mouth it doesn’t have the same bubbly feel on the palate - in fact, somewhat watery. So in summing up, it’s not a bad little beer - but in it’s field you can do alot better.

Ok, Ok, Ok call me crazy - I actually liked this. It surprised me for a pilsner (which I usually don’t like). Typical clear gold pour. Had a pleasant yeasty nose. A grassy start, floral hop middle, and surprisingly ok finish.

Bottle. Pours a gold color with minimal head. When I drink this, I think of all of the hot Czech chicks who never get to know the true me. Not really. But it’s nice to think that way. Think Beck’s beer, but without the suck that goes with it.

A drinkable beer. Not bitter or something else negative. It is just a beer without a special taste. just raffinement.

Another Czech pilsner owned by the tyrant. Anyway, not a bad effort overall. Easily quaffable, but against the legends of the Republic it seems a little bland. Poured a clear medium gold with a small touch of amber. Head rose and then fell in on itself to leave a white froth that left some legs. Nice mix of honey, breadcrumbs and spicy, grassy hops in the aroma, which quickly died off after a few whiffs. In the mouth the spicy and bitter grassy hops form a backbone and make their presence felt. Light bodied and crisp on the tongue; soft notes of pale, husky and sweet grains give it a little balance. Finish is very short for a beer of its style. Its very clean whilst cold, but becomes a little flat on the palate as it warms. A decent summer quaffer, but a little undemanding to drink. Not bad! (33cL, 03/08/06, Morley Liquor Merchants)

dark golden color, thin head, well balance of all parts, A very nice pilsener

12oz bottle: Pours to a clear straw-amber, pale but not to the point of say bud light, with a medium white bubbly head that quickly dies. Small bubbles can be seen rising to the surface throughout. The aroma is light bread, sweaty malts, a hint of floral hops, and light malts that come off very clean. The taste is crisp, dry, with notes of bitter floral hops (mild), bread, feathery light malts, and very mild fruits. Finishes lightly bitter, dry, and mostly clean. Light bodied, lively carbonated, refreshing and crisp on the palate. Unfortunately there is just a tiny hint of vegitable that could be part of the beer or due to the green bottle and travel.