Black Flannel Academy

Czech Dark Lager

bottom-fermented · Czech Republic · dark-color · decoction · lagered · Malty · standard-strength · tmavé pivo

A rich, dark, malty Czech lager with a roast character that can vary from almost absent to quite prominent.

Color

17 – 35 SRM

Bitterness

18 – 34 IBU

Alcohol

4.4 – 5.8% ABV

Sweetness

a light to moderate residual malt sweetness

Balance

Hop bitterness remains perceptible at moderate levels.

History

Historical Development

Czech Dark Lagers are one of the styles of beer with the most variety in their flavor profiles. Tmave translates to dark, but not quite black. This is one of the reasons why the style varies so much. Some present quite sweet with notes of bread, nuts, and sweet dried fruit, whereas others carry more prominent roast and bitterness.

Pilsner and dark caramel malts with the addition of debittered roasted malts are most common, but additions of Vienna or Munich malt are also appropriate. Low mineral content water, Saazer-type hops, Czech lager yeast. Any fruity esters are typically from malt, not yeast.

Janáček sits squarely in the middle of the style, with a smooth roastiness allowing some of the lighter cola, bready malt, and raisin aromas to come through, while also featuring our hand-selected Saaz hops and Raven malt from the Czech Republic. Robust enough to be worthy of a cold Vermont night, but light enough to drink in volume, Janáček is a beer that will appeal to lager and stout drinkers alike. This beer’s namesake, Leoš Janáček, is a famous Czech composer who dedicated his life to learning about folk music from the rural reaches of the Czech Republic and writing music inspired by it.

Classic characteristics

Appearance

Dark copper to nearly black, typically displaying red or garnet undertones. Clear, with a substantial cream-colored head that persists well.

Aroma

Substantial malt depth, potentially featuring bread crust, toast, nut, or caramel notes. Roasted malt characteristics remain moderate at most, allowing base malt to dominate. Spicy hop aromatics and fruity esters are minimal.

Flavor

Deep malt complexity forms the foundation, complemented by malty-rich Maillard products and a light to moderate residual malt sweetness. Additional notes may include toast, nuts, or chocolate. Hop bitterness remains perceptible at moderate levels.

Mouthfeel

Medium to medium-full body with creamy texture and smooth character. Carbonation low to moderate, occasionally showing slight warmth in stronger versions.

Flavor Profile Deep Dive

Service notes

BJCP designation

Overall Impression: A rich, dark, malty Czech lager with a roast character that can vary from almost absent to quite prominent. Malty with an interesting and complex flavor profile, with variable levels of hopping providing a range of possible interpretations.

Appearance: Dark copper to almost black color, often with a red or garnet tint. Clear to bright clarity. Large, off-white to tan, persistent head.

Aroma: Medium to medium-high rich, deep, sometimes sweet maltiness, with optional qualities such as bread crusts, toast, nuts, cola, dark fruit, or caramel. Roasted malt characters such as chocolate or sweetened coffee can vary from moderate to none but should not overwhelm the base malt character. Low, spicy hop aroma is optional. Low diacetyl and low fruity esters (plums or berries) may be present.

Flavor: Medium to medium-high deep, complex maltiness dominates, typically with malty-rich Maillard products and a light to moderate residual malt sweetness. Malt flavors such as caramel, toast, nuts, licorice, dried dark fruit, chocolate and coffee may also be present, with very low to moderate roast character. Spicy hop flavor can be moderately-low to none. Hop bitterness may be moderate to medium-low but should be perceptible. Balance can vary from malty to relatively well-balanced to gently hop-forward. Low to moderate diacetyl and light plum or berry esters may be present.

Mouthfeel: Medium to medium-full body, considerable mouthfeel without being heavy or cloying. Moderately creamy in texture. Smooth. Moderate to low carbonation. Can have a slight alcohol warmth in stronger versions.

Comments: This style is a combination of the Czech styles tmavý ležák (11–12.9 °P) and tmavé speciální pivo (13–14.9 °P). More modern examples are drier and have higher bitterness while traditional versions often have IBUs in the 18–20 range with a sweeter balance.

History: The U Fleků brewery has been operating in Prague since 1499. Many small, new breweries are brewing this style.

Characteristic Ingredients: Pilsner and dark caramel malts with the addition of debittered roasted malts are most common, but additions of Vienna or Munich malt are also appropriate. Low mineral content water, Saazer-type hops, Czech lager yeast. Any fruity esters are typically from malt, not yeast.

Style Comparison: The beer is the Czech equivalent of a dark lager ranging in character from Munich Dunkel to Schwarzbier, but typically with greater malt richness and hop character (aroma, flavor, and/or bitterness).

Vital Statistics: OG: 1.044 – 1.060 | FG: 1.013 – 1.017 | IBUs: 18 – 34 | SRM: 17 – 35 | ABV: 4.4 – 5.8%

Brewers Association designation

Style comparison

Similar Styles

Darker and richer than Czech Amber Lager, with more roast character.

Ingredients

Grain Bill

Pilsner and dark caramel malts combined with debittered roasted varieties. Czech lager yeast.