Beer Style Guide: Get to Know Czech Amber and Czech Dark Lager with Em Sauter
The Czechs are known for their golden lagers of course plus their contributions to the discourse of lighter beers in general, but they have two other styles that are just as tasty: the Czech Amber Lager and the Czech Dark Lager.
Czech Amber
Czech Amber is a light brown, amber colored beer that is known in the Czech Republic as polotmavý or “half dark” - the lighter version of the Czech Dark or “tmavý.” Czech Dark is also known as “Černé” which is the Czech word for black. You’ll also see these beers labeled with the Plato gravity scale (see column on Czech Pale for more info on that). For amber, the Plato degree is usually 12° and for dark beers, the Plato number would be 14° although 12° dark beers exist. Higher alcohol beers are also labeled Speciál which denotes a higher Plato degree.
Until recently, these two styles were not really seen in the American beer landscape, however, that is changing with the rise in lager love in the United States. Whole breweries are now dedicated to brewing traditional Czech beer. It’s so great to see!
Typical ingredients for a Czech Amber Lager are pale malt and some caramel malt although darker base malts like Munich and Vienna malt can be used. For Czech Dark, the base is similar to Czech Amber but color comes from debittered roast dark malts. Both styles use Czech Saaz hops for that “spicy” flavor and Czech lager yeast.
Czech Amber is going to be similar to a Vienna Lager but instead of German ingredients, they would utilize Czech malt and hops plus a Czech lager strain. There’s a pleasant graham cracker note in this beer that I find simply charming.
Czech Dark
Czech Dark is going to be similar to a Munich Dunkel but with the use of Saaz hops, softer water and Czech Lager yeast. It reminds me of a less fruity, “cleaner” version of a porter as if an American porter was made with lager yeast. There’s a lovely licorice note that is seen in some versions.
Food Pairing
For food pairings, both these styles are quite versatile. Czech Amber Lagers are a wonderful staple with spicy Asian dishes like miso ramen. Czech Dark Lagers are great with beef like a grilled steak or even desserts like brownies or chocolate.
Beers to Try
These styles from the Czech Republic don’t really make it over here so best bet would be to go to Prague to try these beers yourself or visit your local brewery as many local craft breweries are dipping their toes into these wonderful styles.
Fox Farm Quiet Fire and Quiet Night
(Author’s note, I help out eight hours a week at Fox Farm) Salem, CT-based Fox Farm brews both a Czech Amber and Czech Dark Lager plus a Czech Premium Pale Lager called Quiet Life. Fox Farm does everything as traditional as possible except there’s no decoction mash. The beers are poured from the side pull faucet on the bar for all that tasty wet foam.
U Fleků Flekovský Tmavý Ležák 13°
U Fleku has been brewing beer for over 500 years and serves its dark lager at its restaurant in Prague. Its restaurant in Prague is a must visit and attracts all manner of tourists to locals who enjoy its warm interiors on snowy evenings to its shady beer garden in the summer.
Dovetail Czech Dark Lager
Chicago based lager (and spontaneous ales because why not!) Dovetail Brewery brews lovely traditional Czech lagers in addition to many other tasty lager styles. With an eye towards the past, Dovetail’s Czech Dark Lager’s attention to detail in all their beers is top-notch.