Samson 1795 Original Czech Lager 500ML

Samson 1795 Original Czech Lager 500ML is a 4.7% ABV Czech pale lager brewed in České Budějovice using Saaz hops and artesian water drawn from 274 meters underground. This expression earned a Bronze medal at the World Beer Awards 2019, reinforcing its standing among authentic Czech lagers.

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

Production & Heritage

První Budějovický Pivovar Samson traces its roots to 1795 in České Budějovice — a city synonymous with Czech brewing tradition. The brewery uses Czech barley malt and whole Saaz hops, the noble hop variety prized for its delicate spice and floral character. What most distinguishes the production is the water source: pure artesian water drawn from a well reaching 274 meters below the surface, contributing a subtle mineral backbone that shapes the lager's clean, dry profile.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet bread and straw rise first, followed by gentle floral and grassy notes from the Saaz hops. A faint honey-like sweetness rounds out the nose.

Taste: The entry is clean and malt-forward, with pale malt sweetness giving way to a distinct minerality at mid-palate. Spicy, herbal hop notes build alongside subtle hints of orchard fruit, while the grassy Saaz character keeps the flavor focused and refreshing.

Finish: Mostly dry with moderate length, the finish leaves behind traces of herbal bitterness and a light bread-grain quality. The body is thin to medium, with average carbonation that keeps the drinking experience crisp.

How to Drink Samson 1795

Pour into a pilsner glass at 4–6°C to showcase the crystal-clear bright gold color and allow the Saaz hop aromatics to open up fully. Samson 1795 works well as a straightforward lager — no embellishment needed — but it also holds its own in beer-based mixed drinks. A Michelada benefits from the dry mineral finish cutting through lime and hot sauce. A Shandy pairs the bread-malt sweetness with fresh lemonade for warm-weather drinking. A Boilermaker alongside a clean Czech spirit like Becherovka creates a traditional Central European pairing.

Best For

• Introducing someone to authentic Czech lager beyond mass-market brands
• Pairing with grilled sausages or roasted pork at a summer cookout
• Stocking a beer fridge with reliable, sessionable European lagers
• Exploring the brewing heritage of České Budějovice alongside Pilsner Urquell

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Samson 1795 taste like? Samson 1795 delivers a clean pale malt sweetness with notes of sweet bread, straw, and a touch of honey, balanced by spicy, herbal Saaz hop bitterness and a mineral undercurrent. The finish is mostly dry with a crisp, refreshing quality.

How does Samson 1795 compare to Pilsner Urquell? Both are brewed in the Czech tradition and originate from the same broader region, but Pilsner Urquell tends to show more pronounced hop bitterness and a richer malt body. Samson 1795 leans lighter and drier, with a more prominent mineral character attributed to its deep artesian water source.

Is Samson 1795 good for everyday drinking? At 4.7% ABV with a balanced, sessionable profile, Samson 1795 is well-suited to casual, everyday consumption without fatigue or heaviness.

Where is Samson 1795 made? Samson 1795 is brewed by První Budějovický Pivovar Samson in České Budějovice, a city in southern Bohemia, Czechia, historically one of Europe's most important brewing centers.

What foods pair well with Samson 1795? Grilled bratwurst and Czech-style klobása complement the malt sweetness. Roast pork with dumplings mirrors the bread-grain character. Mild, semi-hard cheeses like Edam echo the clean finish. Fried schnitzel benefits from the beer's dry carbonation cutting through the richness. Simple salted pretzels highlight the mineral backbone.

What sizes does Samson 1795 come in? The standard format widely available is the 500ML bottle, consistent with traditional European lager packaging.

Is Samson 1795 worth the price? Samson 1795 positions as an accessible, entry-level imported Czech lager that delivers genuine regional character at a competitive price point within the European import category.

Why Samson 1795?

The deep artesian water source — drawn from 274 meters underground in České Budějovice — is not a marketing flourish but a measurable production factor that imparts the mineral dryness distinguishing this lager from softer-water competitors. A Bronze medal at the World Beer Awards 2019 and over 18,000 ratings on Untappd confirm broad recognition among both judges and everyday drinkers. For anyone exploring Czech lager beyond the ubiquitous Pilsner Urquell, Samson 1795 represents a direct link to the same city's brewing lineage at a fraction of the hype. It is a straightforward, well-made pale lager that earns its place through honest ingredients and a water source few breweries can replicate.