Tasting

What does Budweiser beer from Budweis taste like? In the glass sits a clear, golden lager with a firm white head. On the nose, bread crust with a hint of honey, alongside the herbal note of Saaz hops. On the palate, it tastes round and lightly sweet, with a finish that's finely bitter and dry.

A good starting example is the Original from Budějovický Budvar, a pale lager at around five percent alcohol. For comparison, try the 1795 Original Czech Lager from the Samson town brewery, which according to the producer is about 4.7 percent and feels a touch lighter. A dark lager from the same town shows what roasted notes feel like.

In the south of the region, it's worth looking to Třeboň and the Regent brewery, which traces its history to 1379. Eggenberg in Krumau also offers a lager with its own distinct character. All of these beers are examples of flavour, not a ranking, and each offers a different take on the same style.

Here beer is usually served in a half-litre glass or mug, called půllitr in Czech. A tulip glass isn't needed, since the aromas unfold just as well in a straight glass. A serving temperature of around seven to nine degrees Celsius works well: cold enough to refresh, warm enough for the malt and hops to show through.

When pouring, tilt the glass first, then straighten it to build a stable head of foam. The foam protects the beer from air and carries the hop aromas upward. If foam still clings to the rim of the glass after the first sip, it was poured well.