Svatý Norbert Tmavé 14°

Brewed by Klásterní Pivovar Strahov
Style: Dunkel
Prague, Czech Republic

Well made for the style (more porter for my tastes) but perhaps a bit pedestrian. Light milk chocolate on the nose. Palate shows medium strength sweet chocolate with a sliver of bitterness. Solid if not spectacular.

Back from a Czech Republic pub-crawl this is part of my express ratings for the “typical” Světlý 11°- (Czech light Pils), Světlý 12°+ (Czech Pils), Polotmavý (Czech Amber Lagers) and Tmavý (Czech Black Lagers). Non-typical beers will receive personalized descriptions after the express ratings.
-------- /> How: Tap at brewpub (Klásterní Pivovar Strahov, Prague)
The look: Black body with medium beige head
To me a typical Czech Tmavé (Czech Black Lager) is: Dark malts and barely any roastiness sensation. Some dark fruits flavours (raisins with a little figs, dates and prunes) wrapped in smooth dark caramel (borderline toffee) and a subtle chocolate note. A bit bready. Moderately sweet without much hops presence and only a mild bitterness (voluntary unbalanced it seems). Very smooth body, like a watery cream.
This one: As above with a little tobacco hint. Average.

En fût. Pinte dégustée directement à la brasserie. Arôme: Légère odeur fruité et de torréfaction. Apparence: La couleur est noire opaque. Présence d’un large col mousseux et d’une large dentelle sur le verre. Saveur: Goût de caramel fruité avec une pointe de café. Durée moyenne de l’arrière goût. Palette: Le corps est moyen avec une texture légèrement minérale. Moyenne effervescence en bouche. Arrière goût légèrement torréfié. (Rating #1513)

At the brewery. Pitch capped with mountainous beige. Deceptively citrussy nostril with some very English sulphur. Smells almost like a cask ’golden ale’. Bitter hop punch (mandarin,grapefruit) without much malt roast or chocolate. Vaguely smoky, but it could be the choking nicotine. Tasty, uncomplicated, juicily hopped...

Draught, Strahov/Praha. Head is initially average sized, frothy, light brown, mostly lasting. Body is dark brown to black. Aroma is moderately malty (roasted grain, coffee, chocolate). Flavor is moderately sweet, lightly bitter. Finish is lightly sweet, moderately bitter. Medium body, watery texture, lively carbonation. Straightforward and plain but decent. If I hadn’t had the Kout dunkel a day or two earlier, I might have liked this a bit more, but it wasn’t even close.

Tap at the brewpub, 12-14-07. Deep brown with a big soapy beige head. Sweet roasty, woody and chocolate aroma. Flavor is sweet and malty with low bitterness and a hint of smoke. Just enough hops to balance, but no more. Palate is medium, smooth, and creamy. Very nice dunkle. "This is a good morning beer; tastes like you could brush your teeth with it." - Adam

Mr. Ostendorf brought a bottle of this home from his Czech visit. I couldn’t help but expect something below average. He delivered. Packed with flavor for being 5.5%. Riddled with roasted/burnt malts - finishes with a rather bitter espresso, dark fruit, hoppy punch. From my memory of Czech beers during my visit - this one is way up there. Very good!

I had this at the brewery in Prague and brought two bottles of it back with me to the States. Wow, what a beer. Probably the best I had over two short days in the city. A nice flavor, a bit of hop, not too strong nor overpowering. I polished off two there and could’ve had more.