The ambitious goal of creating a special Czech birthday beer exclusively for Britain — and doing it from the very foundation, rather than simply adjusting one or two parameters of an existing beer — has paid off.
It is 25 July, and I step off the train at the small provincial station of Ware in Hertfordshire, UK, full of anticipation but also with a little uncertainty: What will the beer be like? How will it taste? Will it really be the promised masterpiece?
I walk closer to the crowded bar and am immediately greeted by the owner, Tom — extremely busy, but in an excellent mood. He instantly hands me a chilled pint from the Cvikov brewery, with a beer of an unusually beautiful, hazy golden colour. “Taste it, I’ll be with you in a moment.”
So I dive in — and yes, it is a masterpiece. The beer has an exceptionally full body and is wonderfully, beautifully bitter in a refined way. The bitterness does not linger harshly on the palate; on the contrary, it encourages me to take another sip. As an added layer, the finishing notes reveal exotic citrus fruit aromas, brought out by the beer’s cold hopping with the Most variety.
It is a beautifully full-bodied lager, but with a transition towards an ale-like character. Amazing — and on top of that, incredibly refreshing.
“The guests love it,” says Tom, who has just returned. I nod in agreement and let myself relax — it has completely won me over. Everything is enhanced by the atmosphere of the packed bar, the DJ, great music, and the perfect vibe.
And what makes it even more special is that behind this delight from Cvikov are Czech and British beer enthusiasts, journalists who travelled from the Czech Republic, and even the head of the Czech Beer Fan Club in the UK, Rob Comrie. It was worth it. 🙂
The CzechTrade journey began at the start of May, when Tom and Geoff — owners of British pubs — and I brewed this beer using new hop varieties, Harmonie and Most. Today, it is already contributing to the excellent reputation of independent Czech breweries in Britain.
“Keep going,” I tell myself, as I order another Cvikov birthday lager…
Martin/Czech Beer Ambassador
