Samson 1795 Original Czech Lager 6Pk

Samson 1795 Original Czech Lager 6Pk is a 4.7% ABV Czech pale lager brewed in České Budějovice using Saaz hops and deep artesian water. This lager earned a Silver medal at the 2024 World Beer Awards and a Bronze at the 2024 European Beer Star competition, affirming its standing among authentic Czech pilsner-style beers.

Quick Facts: ABV: 4.7%  |  Origin: České Budějovice, Czechia  |  Style: Czech Pale Lager  |  Brewery: První Budějovický Pivovar Samson

Production & Heritage

První Budějovický Pivovar Samson — the First Budweis Brewery — has been brewing in České Budějovice since 1795, making it one of the oldest active breweries in the storied Bohemian brewing city that lent its German name, Budweis, to some of the world's most recognized beer brands. Samson 1795 Original is brewed with Czech barley malt, prized Saaz hops (the definitive noble hop variety), and pure artesian water drawn from 274 meters underground. The brewery follows a traditional Czech brewing process at every stage, relying on these three local ingredients and time-tested methods rather than shortcuts or adjuncts to produce a lager of clean, honest character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Freshly baked bread and biscuit malt rise first, followed by delicate herbal and grassy notes from the Saaz hops. A subtle soda-cracker dryness rounds out the nose.

Taste: The entry is bright and malty with cereal grain and a lightly toasty quality. Mid-palate, a measured noble hop bitterness balances the malt sweetness, keeping the beer crisp and clean. The overall impression is light-bodied yet flavorful — never hollow.

Finish: Medium-dry and refreshingly brisk, with grassy hop bitterness lingering just long enough to invite the next sip. Clean and sessionable without trailing sweetness.

How to Drink Samson 1795

Pour into a pilsner glass or Czech-style half-liter mug at 4–6°C (39–43°F) for the best expression of its malt and hop balance; a steady pour builds the thick white head traditional to the style. Beyond drinking it straight, Samson 1795 works well in a Shandy, where its crisp bitterness cuts through lemonade without losing structure; a Michelada, where the clean malt base pairs naturally with lime, hot sauce, and tomato; or a Czech Boilermaker alongside a shot of Becherovka, a classic Bohemian pairing that plays herbal bitters against the lager's bready backbone.

Best For

• Introducing friends to authentic Czech-style lager beyond mass-market brands
• Pairing with grilled sausages, roast pork, or weekend barbecue spreads
• Stocking the fridge for casual warm-weather sessions on the patio
• Building a European beer tasting flight alongside other Bohemian and Bavarian lagers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Samson 1795 taste like? Samson 1795 delivers a clean, biscuity malt core balanced by herbal Saaz hop bitterness and a dry, refreshing finish. It is light-bodied with cereal grain and toasty bread flavors typical of well-made Czech pale lagers.

How does Samson 1795 compare to Budweiser Budvar (Czechvar)? Both lagers are brewed in České Budějovice with Saaz hops and share the city's deep brewing heritage, but Budvar is a significantly larger operation producing over 1.35 million barrels annually compared to Samson's roughly 80,000. Samson 1795 tends toward a slightly drier, more understated profile, while Budvar is often noted for a fuller malt sweetness and broader international distribution.

Is Samson 1795 good for beginners? Yes — its 4.7% ABV, clean flavor profile, and approachable bitterness make it an excellent entry point for anyone exploring Czech lagers or European beer styles beyond mainstream American lagers.

Where is Samson 1795 made? Samson 1795 is brewed at První Budějovický Pivovar Samson in České Budějovice, a city in the South Bohemian region of Czechia with a brewing tradition dating back centuries. The brewery itself has operated continuously since 1795.

What foods pair well with Samson 1795? Roast pork and bread dumplings complement the beer's bready malt character. Grilled bratwurst or klobása sausages match its clean bitterness. Fried cheese (smažený sýr), a Czech pub staple, plays off the dry finish. Lighter fare like pretzels with mustard or a simple green salad with vinaigrette also pair well, as the beer's carbonation and hop crispness cleanse the palate between bites.

What sizes does Samson 1795 come in? This product is sold as a 6-pack; Samson 1795 Original Czech Lager is also commonly available in individual bottles and cans depending on the market.

Is Samson 1795 worth the price? Samson 1795 positions as an affordable import lager that punches above its price tier, particularly given its 2024 World Beer Awards Silver medal and European Beer Star Bronze recognition. It delivers genuine Czech brewing pedigree at a price point accessible for everyday drinking.

Why Samson 1795?

What separates Samson 1795 from the crowded imported lager shelf is provenance you can actually taste. The artesian water drawn from 274 meters beneath České Budějovice gives the beer a mineral backbone that synthetic water treatment cannot replicate, and the exclusive use of Saaz hops — grown in the same Bohemian fields that supply the world's top pilsner brewers — delivers an herbal bitterness that feels rooted in place. Back-to-back recognition at the World Beer Awards (Bronze 2021, Silver 2024) and the 2024 European Beer Star confirms a brewery on an upward trajectory. For a lager with over two centuries of continuous brewing history behind it, Samson 1795 remains one of the most underrated Czech exports available today.