{"title":"Chodovar","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"chodovar-prezident-500ml","title":"Chodovar Prezident 500ML","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChodovar Prezident 500ML\u003c\/strong\u003e is a 5.0% ABV Bohemian-style premium pilsner lager from the Czech Republic, brewed and lagered in 800-year-old granite cellars. Winner of the Prize of Czech Brewers in 2002, this bottom-fermented lager represents one of the more distinctive examples of the Czech 12° pale lager tradition, shaped by house-malted barley and exceptionally soft local water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 5.0%  |  Origin: Chodová Planá, Czech Republic  |  Style: Bohemian Pilsner (12° Lager)  |  Brewery: Chodovar\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChodovar Brewery operates in the western Bohemian town of Chodová Planá, where brewing has been documented for centuries. What separates Chodovar from most Czech breweries is its self-sufficiency in malting: the brewery produces approximately 1,700 tons of malted barley annually in its own floor malting house, a labor-intensive traditional method that gives the brewery full control over grain character. Prezident is bottom-fermented and matured in the brewery's celebrated granite rock cellars, carved some 800 years ago, where naturally low-mineral water drawn from the surrounding granite geology contributes to the beer's clean, soft mouthfeel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Light cereal grain leads the nose, followed by subtle yeast and a gentle grassiness from Saaz hops. There is a distinct impression of fresh bread and a faint floral lift.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The entry is malty and smooth, with a grainy, bread-like sweetness at the center of the palate. Mid-palate, the malt character deepens with a dry edge, while the Saaz hops introduce grassy and floral tones that stay restrained rather than assertive.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e The finish is moderate in length, clean and dry, with hop bitterness arriving only at the close. A lingering cereal note keeps the final impression balanced rather than sharp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Chodovar Prezident\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eServe chilled at 5–7°C (41–45°F) in a traditional Czech half-liter glass or pilsner flute to appreciate the golden color and persistent white foam crown. This is a straightforward drinking beer best enjoyed on its own or alongside food rather than mixed into cocktails. That said, its malty backbone makes it a natural fit for a \u003cstrong\u003eShandy\u003c\/strong\u003e with fresh lemonade on warm days, a \u003cstrong\u003eMichelada\u003c\/strong\u003e where the grain sweetness tempers lime and hot sauce, or a \u003cstrong\u003eBlack Velvet\u003c\/strong\u003e variation layered with stout for textural contrast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExploring traditional Czech pilsners beyond mass-market brands\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePairing with hearty Central European cuisine\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroducing beer enthusiasts to floor-malted, cellar-lagered lagers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCasual gatherings where an approachable yet distinctive lager is called for\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Chodovar Prezident taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e Chodovar Prezident is a malty, grain-forward Bohemian pilsner with flavors of fresh bread, dry cereal, and restrained grassy-floral Saaz hop bitterness that emerges primarily in the finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Chodovar Prezident compare to Pilsner Urquell?\u003c\/strong\u003e Pilsner Urquell tends to deliver more pronounced hop bitterness and a crisper bite, while Chodovar Prezident leans toward a softer, maltier profile with less aggressive hopping. Both are Czech 12° lagers, but Prezident reflects the influence of its granite-filtered water and house-malted grain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Chodovar Prezident good for someone new to Czech beer?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — its smooth, malty character and mild bitterness make it an accessible entry point into Bohemian-style lagers without overwhelming hop intensity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Chodovar Prezident made?\u003c\/strong\u003e Chodovar Prezident is brewed at the Chodovar Brewery in Chodová Planá, a small town in the western Bohemia region of the Czech Republic known for its granite rock formations and mineral-soft water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Chodovar Prezident?\u003c\/strong\u003e Roast pork with bread dumplings and sauerkraut (a classic Czech combination), grilled sausages such as klobása for their smoky-savory contrast, schnitzel where the beer's carbonation cuts through the fried coating, aged Gouda or Emmental for their nutty richness alongside the malt, and freshly baked pretzels which echo the bread-like grain character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Chodovar Prezident come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e The standard format is the 500ML bottle, consistent with the traditional Czech half-liter serving size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Chodovar Prezident worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e Chodovar Prezident sits in the affordable import lager tier, yet its floor-malted barley and granite-cellar lagering give it a craft pedigree that most beers at a similar price point cannot match, making it strong value for anyone interested in authentic Czech brewing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Chodovar Prezident?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe defining edge of Chodovar Prezident is provenance-driven flavor: house floor-malted barley, naturally soft granite-rock water, and maturation in cellars that predate most European breweries still in operation. These are not marketing claims but tangible production steps that directly shape the beer's smooth, bread-rich character. Recognized with the Prize of Czech Brewers in 2002, it earned distinction among expert evaluators familiar with the country's deep lager tradition. For drinkers who want a Bohemian pilsner rooted in place and process rather than industrial scale, Prezident delivers a quieter but genuinely crafted alternative to the Czech Republic's more widely exported names.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chodovar","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44839461191849,"sku":"40026","price":3.79,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/Chodovar-Prezident__92991.jpg?v=1730521664"},{"product_id":"chodovar-zamecky-500ml","title":"Chodovar Zamecky 500ML","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChodovar Zamecky 500ML\u003c\/strong\u003e is a Czech dark lager brewed by Chodovar Brewery in Chodová Planá, Czechia, at 4.2% ABV. This expression earned the Beer of the Czech Republic 2006 prize (as Zámecké Černé), and carries the EU Protected Geographical Indication \"Chodské pivo®,\" awarded in 2008 — a mark of authenticated regional brewing tradition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: 4.2%  |  Origin: Chodová Planá, Czechia  |  Style: Czech Dark Lager  |  Brewery: Chodovar\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChodovar Brewery operates from a site in western Bohemia where granite rock cellars were carved between the 12th and 14th centuries — roughly 800 years old and still in active use today. Zámecky undergoes a lengthy fermentation and lagering process of two to three months within these original cellars, where the stable temperature and humidity of solid granite create natural conditioning. The brewery floor-malts its own barley on-site and uses exclusively Czech Saaz (Žatec) hops, the noble variety synonymous with Bohemian brewing. This combination of heritage infrastructure and traditional Czech ingredients distinguishes Zámecky from industrially produced dark lagers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e A full caramel malt character leads, followed by aromas of brown bread crust and a gentle, earthy hop bouquet. Underneath, faint notes of dark chocolate and roasted grain round out the nose.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The entry is medium-sweet with immediate toffee and caramel malt richness. Mid-palate, flavors of dark chocolate and coffee develop, layered over a smooth, structured bitterness that keeps the sweetness in balance. The malt body is full but never heavy, thanks to the moderate 4.2% ABV.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e A soft, lingering bitterness closes the sip, with echoes of roasted malt and a faint coffee-like dryness. The finish is clean, medium in length, and invites the next drink.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Chodovar Zamecky\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eServe chilled at 6–8°C in a half-liter Czech pilsner glass or a tulip to concentrate the malt aromas. This is a sessionable dark lager best enjoyed on its own or alongside food. For cocktail-curious drinkers: a \u003cstrong\u003eBlack Velvet\u003c\/strong\u003e (layered with dry sparkling wine) works well here, as the caramel malt provides a richer base than typical stouts; a \u003cstrong\u003eMichelada\u003c\/strong\u003e variation using Zamecky adds unexpected chocolate-malt depth to the tomato and lime profile; and a simple \u003cstrong\u003eBeer Flip\u003c\/strong\u003e (shaken with a whole egg and a touch of sugar) showcases the toffee and coffee character in an unconventional format.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIntroducing a craft beer enthusiast to authentic Bohemian dark lager\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePairing with a rich Central European dinner\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding a tasting flight of Czech beer styles alongside a pale lager and amber\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA cold-weather session beer with more character than a standard lager\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Chodovar Zamecky taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e Chodovar Zamecky delivers a malt-forward profile dominated by caramel, toffee, dark chocolate, and coffee, balanced by a gentle structured bitterness and a clean, medium-sweet body at 4.2% ABV.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Chodovar Zamecky compare to Velkopopovický Kozel Dark?\u003c\/strong\u003e Both are Czech dark lagers, but Zamecky is lagered for two to three months in centuries-old granite rock cellars — a unique production environment not replicated at large industrial breweries. Zamecky also uses exclusively floor-malted barley and Czech Saaz hops, which tends to produce a more nuanced malt complexity and a more traditional hop character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Chodovar Zamecky good for sipping on its own?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — at 4.2% ABV with rich caramel and chocolate malt flavors, it drinks easily on its own and is sessionable enough for extended enjoyment without palate fatigue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Chodovar Zamecky made?\u003c\/strong\u003e Chodovar Zamecky is brewed at the Chodovar Brewery in Chodová Planá, a town in the Plzeň Region of western Bohemia, Czechia, where the brewery's granite rock cellars date back to the 12th–14th centuries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Chodovar Zamecky?\u003c\/strong\u003e Roast pork with bread dumplings and sauerkraut (vepřo-knedlo-zelo) mirrors the beer's malt sweetness; smoked meats benefit from the chocolate and coffee undertones; aged Gruyère or Comté cheese echoes the caramel character; dark rye bread with butter is a simple but effective pairing; and chocolate torte amplifies the roasted malt finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Chodovar Zamecky come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e Chodovar Zamecky is commonly available in a 500ml bottle, the standard format for Czech lagers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Chodovar Zamecky worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e Chodovar Zamecky positions as an import craft lager with a genuinely artisanal production method — rock-cellar lagering and floor-malted barley — that justifies a modest premium over mass-produced Czech dark lagers while remaining accessible as an everyday European import.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Chodovar Zamecky?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery few breweries in the world still lager beer in medieval granite cellars, and Chodovar's 800-year-old rock chambers are not a museum piece — they are the actual production environment for this beer. That two-to-three-month lagering period in stable subterranean conditions produces a smoothness and depth difficult to replicate in stainless steel. The Beer of the Czech Republic 2006 award and EU Protected Geographical Indication confirm that this is not just marketing heritage — it is documented, regionally authenticated brewing. For anyone seeking a Czech dark lager with genuine provenance and layered malt complexity, Zamecky is one of the most distinctive options available outside Bohemia.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chodovar","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44839461355689,"sku":"40027","price":3.79,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/Chodovar-Zamecky__02100.jpg?v=1730521667"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/chodovar.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}