Zatec
Style: Pilsner
ABV: 4.6%
Presentation: 500 ml brown bottle
Brewery: Zatec Brewery
Country: Czech Republic
KANPAI! w/ Jeff Werstiuk
Not all pilsners are made equal, but one thing’s for sure, Zatec sure stands out from the crowd. For those interested in branching out a bit from their usual fare such as Molson’s popular chuck wagon bedecked version, or the afficianado who knows exactly what makes a true pilsner and draws them to the style, this import is a real treat. The beer and the brewery itself are named after the region in Czech Republic that it is brewed in, which is famous for its Saaz hops and boasts exports of them for over 1000 years. In fact Zatec is Czech for Saaz. The current facility brewing Zatec is about 200 years old, built on the grounds of an old castle in collaboration with a neighbouring brewery, both of which had been producing beer in that region for almost 700 years now.
As with this particular style the fresher it is, the better. Unfortunately this brand doesn’t come with a “best before” or “brewed on” stamp on the bottle or the label. Available in 500 ml brown bottles, expect to find a transparent golden amber body in appearance when poured into glassware, along with a tall fluffy white head that will slowly settle and leave a good amount of lacing in its wake as the glass is emptied. A baked bread aroma from the malt will also greet you, even a bit of a metallic character from the grain, along with mildly spicy, grassy hints of Saaz hops. Silky smooth is the texture of the mouthfeel, this is a well balanced pilsner, with the biscuity character of the malts blending nicely with the floral and grassy qualities of the hops. Some versions of pilsners like to lean more heavily towards a bitter dandelion green hop presence, yet for those intimidated by hoppy beers Zatec is still very approachable and balanced, in fact I would recommend it as a great introduction to the style for the uninitiated. Personally this is one of my new favourite pilsners since I first sampled it, one of the most enjoyable of the style that I’ve had in quite a while. Definitely worth trying.
For those interested in pairing this balanced pilsner with food you suddenly have a new best friend for your Mexican cuisine (although not the overly spicy dishes) or your next Indian take-out, so long as you don’t get too hot of a curry like madras or vindaloo. However it’s refined enough to not overwhelm sushi either, or many noodle dishes. Ham will also pair well with Zatec, even the saltier or spicier varieties. And when seafood is on the menu this is almost an ideal match for most shellfish, from crab and lobster to mussels and clams. Lastly for the cheese lovers out there a rule of thumb is to pair pilsners with American Cheese, yet the assertive malt presence in Zatec will also go nicely with Swiss, Emmental and Havarti.
The next steps in the cooler:
In-Style:
Krusovice
Czechvar
Pilsner Urquell
Radeberger
Domestic Fare:
Czechmate - Paddockwood
Phil’s Pils - Half Pints
Kelowna Pilsner - Tree Brewing
Powderhound Pilsner - Grizzly Paw
Lateral Steps:
Wild Rose S.O.B. (Special Old Bitter)
Pump House S.O.B. (Special Old Bitter)
Propeller Bitter
Fuller’s ESB (Extra Special Bitter)
For The Adventurous:
Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A. - He’Brew
Rogue XS Imperial IPA
Tags: Czech Republic, Pilsner