Bohemia Regent Prezident 500ML

Bohemia Regent Prezident 500ML is a 6.0% ABV Czech pilsner brewed by Pivovar Regent in Třeboň, South Bohemia. Featured in 1001 Beers You Must Taste Before You Die, this fuller-strength lager distinguishes itself through a cold-hopping process using prized Saaz hops that intensifies hop aroma without adding harsh bitterness.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6.0%  |  Origin: Třeboň, South Bohemia, Czech Republic  |  Style: Czech Pilsner  |  Brewery: Pivovar Regent Třeboň

Production & Heritage

Pivovar Regent Třeboň traces its origins to 1379, making it one of the oldest continuously operating breweries in the Czech Republic. Prezident is brewed with water drawn from local artesian wells, barley malt, and yeast, then undergoes a signature cold-hopping step — Žatecký poloraný červeňák (Saaz) hops are leached in lager tanks at low temperatures rather than added during the boil. This technique extracts delicate varietal hop aromatics that would otherwise be driven off by heat, resulting in a more fragrant and nuanced lager than conventional brewing methods typically produce.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Warm bread-like malt leads, followed by a gentle caramel sweetness. A grassy, herbal character from the cold-hopped Saaz hops rounds out the nose with a distinctly Czech hop signature.

Taste: The entry is soft and malt-forward with a pronounced caramel sweetness that builds through the mid-palate. Moderately intense overall, the sweetness gives way to a slightly stronger bitterness that balances the malt weight without overwhelming it. At 6% ABV, there is a touch more body and warmth than a standard Czech pilsner.

Finish: Rather dry, pulling away cleanly from the earlier sweetness. A short, pleasant aftertaste of hop bitterness settles on the tongue and fades without lingering.

How to Drink Regent Prezident

Serve chilled to around 6–8°C (43–46°F) in a traditional Czech pilsner glass or a tall half-liter mug to showcase the golden color and maintain the head. Prezident is best enjoyed on its own as a standalone drinking beer, but its malt-forward profile also works in beer-based serves: a Michelada benefits from the caramel malt backbone balancing the lime and hot sauce; a Shandy pairs the dry finish with fresh lemonade for a lighter summer drink; and a Black and Tan layered beneath a dry stout creates an appealing contrast between Prezident's sweetness and roasted bitterness.

Best For

• Introducing someone to authentic Czech-style lagers beyond mass-market brands
• Pairing with a traditional Central European dinner of roast pork and dumplings
• Building a curated European beer tasting flight at home
• Gifting a beer enthusiast who values historic breweries and traditional methods

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Regent Prezident taste like? Regent Prezident has a sweet, caramel-rich malt character balanced by moderate Saaz hop bitterness, finishing dry with a short, pleasant bitter aftertaste.

How does Regent Prezident compare to Pilsner Urquell? Both are authentic Czech pilsners using Saaz hops, but Prezident runs higher at 6% ABV versus Pilsner Urquell's 4.4%, giving it a noticeably fuller body and sweeter malt profile. Prezident's cold-hopping technique also produces a more aromatic hop character compared to Pilsner Urquell's triple-decocted, more bitter-leaning approach.

Is Regent Prezident good for sipping on its own? Yes — its balanced malt sweetness and clean dry finish make it a satisfying standalone lager, particularly for drinkers who enjoy a slightly stronger Czech pilsner with more body than the typical 4–5% range.

Where is Regent Prezident made? Regent Prezident is brewed at Pivovar Regent in Třeboň, a town in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic known for its protected landscape and clean water sources. The brewery has been operating at this location since 1379.

What foods pair well with Regent Prezident? Roast pork with bread dumplings and sauerkraut mirrors the beer's Bohemian roots. Aged Gouda or Emmental cheeses complement the caramel malt. Grilled sausages such as klobása or bratwurst match the moderate bitterness. Pan-fried trout with butter works with the dry finish, and a simple pretzel with mustard highlights the malt sweetness.

What sizes does Regent Prezident come in? The standard widely available format is the 500ML bottle, consistent with the traditional half-liter Czech serving size.

Is Regent Prezident worth the price? Regent Prezident positions as a premium imported Czech lager, sitting above mass-market European pilsners but remaining accessible for an import beer with a heritage dating back over six centuries and recognition in major beer reference publications.

Why Regent Prezident?

The cold-hopping technique used in Prezident is uncommon among traditional Czech breweries and gives this beer a hop aromatic profile that most conventionally brewed pilsners cannot replicate. Pivovar Regent's more than 640 years of continuous brewing in Třeboň lends genuine historical credibility that few competitors can match. Its inclusion in 1001 Beers You Must Taste Before You Die signals recognition beyond regional Czech beer circles. For anyone seeking a fuller-bodied Czech pilsner with real provenance and a distinctive production method, Prezident is a direct and honest expression of South Bohemian brewing tradition.