BJCP 2021 / 3D
Czech Dark Lager
A smooth, malty dark lager where chocolate and toast show without sharpness.
- Any age
- standard strength
- dark color
- bottom fermented
- lagered
Serve: 42 to 48F, Mug or pint
OG1.120
1.044 to 1.060FG1.030
1.013 to 1.017IBU120
18 to 34SRM40
17 to 35ABV14%
4.4 to 5.8%Taste it in order
Aroma
12 pts- Bready malt with chocolate or toast
- Light caramel
- Faint herbal hop
- Vague
- Roasty
- Better
- Dark bread and chocolate
- Best
- Moderate toasted bread and light chocolate aroma, faint caramel, low spicy hop
Appearance
3 pts- Deep reddish brown to black
- Clear, ruby edges
- Tan, lasting head
- Vague
- Dark
- Better
- Brown with ruby edges
- Best
- Deep brown to near black with ruby edges at the rim, brilliant, tan head of good retention
Flavor
20 pts- Dark bread, chocolate and light caramel
- Roast stays gentle
- Hop bitterness balances without dominating
- Vague
- Malty
- Better
- Dark bread and chocolate
- Best
- Moderate bready malt with chocolate and light roast, low caramel, balanced bitterness, medium-dry finish
Mouthfeel
5 pts- Medium body
- Medium carbonation
- Smooth
- Vague
- Smooth
- Better
- Medium body, smooth
- Best
- Medium body, smooth, medium carbonation, no roast astringency
Overall Impression
10 ptsLifts it
- Roundness
- Gentle roast
Drops it
- Burnt notes
- Heavy sweetness
Writing tip
Check how the roast sits. Example: 'Chocolate and toast with a smooth finish, no harsh roast. Hop bitterness keeps it from cloying.'
Pour these
- Kozel ČernýVelkopopovický KozelLight roast and caramel, easy drinking
- Budweiser Budvar Dark LagerBudějovický BudvarRoasted malt and a full finish
Often confused with
- 8A Munich DunkelMunich Dunkel is more bready and less hoppy
- 8B SchwarzbierSchwarzbier is drier and crisper with more roast
Fine here
- Diacetyl: A faint hint is traditional
Ruinous here
- Astringent: Acrid roast
- Oxidized: Stale, papery
- Phenolic: Smoky plastic from poor water or sanitizer
Style names, numbers and vital statistics follow the BJCP 2021 beer guidelines. Descriptions and example choices are our own. Check a beer is still made before you hunt for it.