2B - Bohemian Pilsners

Bohemian Pilsners are the base pilsner style, all other pilsners are compared to these beers. What characterizes the style is the deep golden color and intricate layers of hop flavor, aroma and bitterness from the local Saaz variety of hop. A true Bohemian pilsner will be brewed with soft water, continental (Moravian) pils malt, a good Czech lager yeast, and Saaz hops.

• Aroma: A complex pils maltiness coupled with the typical floral Saaz hop bouquet shines through a Bohemian pilsner. Some describe the spiciness as being peppery or zesty. In this style, a slight diacetyl aroma is OK but not required. Generally, the beer is typical of clean lagers in that there are no fruity esters at all.

• Appearance: These beers can have a pretty wide range of colors from very pale gold to almost amber (described in style guidelines as deep burnished gold). Long cold lagering and use of lots of hops creates a brilliant to very clear beer. The hallmark of all Bohemian pilsners is a dense, creamy-white head that lingers for a long time. Czech pils are usually a little deeper gold than the German versions.

• Flavor: These beers have a complex maltiness from the Moravian malt and a conspicuous but smooth bitterness and spicy-floral flavor from the use of Saaz hops, some say one of the finest hops available. They say that some diacetyl is acceptable, but for homebrewed versions, you'd probably be better off eliminating the diacetyl altogether. The Saaz hop produces a nice bitterness that is pronounced but not harsh. The bitterness should not linger on the tongue. Even though there is a pronounced hop aroma, flavor, and bitterness, the aftertaste is balanced between the hops and the complexity of the malt flavors. You will not notice any fruity esters from this clean well lagered beer.
• Mouthfeel: Like the German versions, the Bohemian pilsners are medium in mouthfeel and carbonation. If present, the diacetyl may give the impression of a slightly fuller mouthfeel.
• Overall Impression: These beers are always crisp, balanced but complex and refreshing. If you like beers with a firm hop presence, you will like this beer.
• Comments: Czech brewers use a decoction mash which accentuates the Moravian malt profile, essential to balance the substantial hop notes. The water profile being soft with low sulfates helps to smooth out the hop bitterness and accentuate the aroma and flavors compared to the northern German versions. Czech yeasts can sometimes yield a diacetyl note so it is best to give the beer plenty of time to clean up at a slightly elevated temperature before lagering. Traditionally, the diacetyl and dextrins will give the impression of a fuller body and mouthfeel for these beers.
• Ingredients: Soft water, low in sulfates and carbonates is used along with local Saaz hops, Moravian malted barley and a Czech lager yeast.
• Vital Statistics: OG: 1.044-1.056 FG: 1.013-1.017 IBUs: 35-45 SRM: 3.5-6 ABV: 4.2-5.4%
• Commercial Examples: Pilsner Urquell, Krušovice Imperial 12°, Budweiser Budvar (Czechvar in the US), Czech Rebel, Staropramen, Gambrinus Pilsner, Zlaty Bazant Golden Pheasant, Dock Street Bohemian Pilsner

Information for this page was adapted from the BJCP Style Guidelines for 2008, the article Picturing pilsner by Eric Warner in All About Beer magazine, and the paper Pilsner to Summer Brew: An Odyssey by Jaime Jurado, 2002.

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