The Bohemian pilsener has a slightly sweet and evident malt character and a toasted, biscuit-like, bready malt character. Hop bitterness is perceived as medium with a low to medium-low level of noble-type hop aroma and flavor. This style originated in 1842, with “pilsener” originally indicating an appellation in the Czech Republic. Classic examples of this style used to be conditioned in wooden tanks and had a less sharp hop bitterness despite the similar IBU ranges to German-style pilsner. Low-level diacetyl is acceptable. Bohemian-style pilseners are darker in color and higher in final gravity than their German counterparts.
Bohemian-Style Pilsener
Category: Pilseners and Pale Lagers
Food Pairings
- Shellfish, Chicken, Salads
- Mild White Cheddar
- Shortbread Cookies
Commercial Examples
- Bohemian Pilsener, Ninkasi Brewing Co.
- Mama’s Little Yella Pils, Oskar Blues
- Sweet Ride, Bagby Beer Co.
Appearance
Color
Straw to Light Amber
Clarity
Clear to Brilliant
Carbonation (Visual)
Medium Rising Bubbles
Flavor/Aroma
Alcohol
Not Detectable to Mild
Hop
Hop aroma and flavor are low to medium-low, deriving from noble-type hops. Hop bitterness is medium
Malt
Toasted, biscuit-like, and/or bready malt flavors along with low levels of fermented-malt-derived sulfur compounds may be evident
Esters
Not common to style
Phenols
Not common to style
Fermentation By-Products
Low levels of fermentation-derived sulfur compounds may be evident. Very low levels of diacetyl and DMS flavors may be perceived
Sensations
Body
Soft
Carbonation
Medium
Finish Length
Short
Attenuation
Medium
Ingredients
Hops
Czech Saaz
Malt
Pilsner, CaraPils
Water
Low mineral content
Yeast
Lager
