Krušovice Imperial Lager

Kralovsky Pivovar Krušovice
Krušovice, Czech Republic
Imported by: Binding Brauerei U.S.A.
Place: Norwalk, CT

Available: NY, NJ, PA, MD, DE, GA, FL, IL, WI, OH, CA, UT, WA

In nine years, exports of Krušovice have expanded from three countries to nearly 30. It was named best Bohemian Style Lager at the 2006 World Beer Cup in Seattle.

Alcohol (wt.): 3.94
Alcohol (vol.): 5.0
Color: 13
Bitterness: 29
Original Gravity: 11.8
Final gravity: n/a
Malts used: Czech barley malt from Moravia
Hops used: Czech hops from the Žatec area

One of the things I love about Czech lagers in general is the way they seamlessly blend sumptuous malt with drying hoppiness, and Krusovice is no exception in this regard. Several shades darker than the average German pils, even a richer gold than Pilsner Urquell, it has a soft, round and floral aroma and enters the palate with similarly floral, caramelly malt. The hops begin to assert themselves about midway through the taste, bringing their drying qualities and a modest bitterness that never overwhelms, even through the finish. This is simply an excellent beer and one I’d love to serve to beer drinkers making the transition from mainstream to craft.
- Stephen Beaumont

Expectation of a classic Bohemian “pils” style lager does not disappoint. Imperial in name, i.e., not a souped-up version. Full mouthfeel and flavor of golden grains of malted barley and the sensually spicy bite of hops. Though no hop aroma, it is absolutely, thirst-quenchingly clean and refreshing. Hop character is superb in the aftertaste. Great at bedtime, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Great at and after work too. A treat.
- Charlie Papazian

I enjoyed this beer on a recent trip to the Czech Republic. It looks the same—deep gold with a fluffy white head. The nose shows perfectly balanced bready malt and flowery hops. The palate follows through in a similar fashion, with robust bitterness holding a clean line through the center. Malt lingers in the finish. A very fine beer in the Czech Pilsner style—just check the date and make sure it’s fresh. Then enjoy it with some funky Serrano ham.
- Garrett Oliver

Stephen Beaumont
Stephen Beaumont boarded his first plane at the age of 15 and hasn’t looked back since, obsessing about travel to the point that he gets nervous if he doesn’t have a ticket or two stacked on the corner of his desk. When he’s not running around in search of new taste experiences, he makes his home in Toronto, where a new cultural experience is only as far away as the next neighborhood.

Charlie Papazian
Author of the New Complete Joy of Homebrewing, founder of the Great American Beer Festival and a Beer Examiner at www.examiner.com, Papazian is a leading voice in beer and brewing.

Garrett Oliver
Internationally recognized brewer and expert on traditional beer, Garrett Oliver is the brewmaster of the Brooklyn Brewery and the author of The Brewmaster's Table.

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