Overall Impression
A lighter-bodied, rich, refreshing, hoppy, bitter pale Czech lager having the familiar flavors of the stronger Czech Premium Pale Lager (Pilsner-type) beer but in a lower alcohol, lighter-bodied, and slightly less intense format.
Appearance
Light yellow to deep gold color. Brilliant to very clear, with a long-lasting, creamy white head.
Aroma
Light to moderate bready-rich malt combined with light to moderate spicy or herbal hop bouquet; the balance between the malt and hops may vary. Faint hint of caramel is acceptable. Light (but never intrusive) diacetyl and light, fruity esters are optional. No sulfur.
Flavor
Medium-low to medium bready-rich malt flavor with a rounded, hoppy finish. Low to medium-high spicy or herbal hop flavor. Bitterness is prominent but never harsh. Flavorful and refreshing. Low diacetyl or fruity esters are optional, but should never be overbearing.
Mouthfeel
Medium-light to medium body. Moderate carbonation.
History
Josef Groll initially brewed two types of pale beer in 1842–3, a výčepní and a ležák, with the smaller beer having twice the production; Evan Rail speculates that these were probably 10 °P and 12 °P beers, but that the výčepní could have been weaker. This is the most consumed type of beer in the Czech Republic at present.
Characteristic Ingredients
Soft water with low sulfate and carbonate content. Traditional Czech hops. Czech Pilsner malt. Czech lager yeast. Low ion water provides a distinctively soft, rounded hop profile despite high hopping rates.
Style Comparison
A lighter-bodied, lower-intensity, refreshing, everyday version of Czech Premium Pale Lager.
Vital Statistics
IBU
20 - 35
SRM
3 - 6
OG
1.028 - 1.044
FG
1.008 - 1.014
ABV
3% - 4.1%
Commercial Examples
Bernard světlé pivo 10, Březňák Světlé výčepní pivo, Notch Session Pils, Primátor Antonín světlé výčepní, Radegast Rázna 10, Únětické pivo 10°.Past Revision
Czech Pale Lager (2015)Style Attributes
bitter, bottom-fermented, central-europe, hoppy, lagered, pale-color, pale-lager-family, session-strength, traditional-style
Comments
The Czech name of the style is světlé výčepní pivo.