Budweiser Budvar has announced a landmark new collaboration created in conjunction with respected Czech craft brewery, Pivovar Clock.
Reflecting its position as the Czech national brewery, Budvar’s stated mission is to enhance the reputation of all Czech beer globally, and this is the first collaboration beer Budvar has released internationally in support of this aim.
Lager lovers will have the chance to try Bohemian Idols, a 5.2% ABV lager, at a series of tap takeovers around the UK. The brew will be available in the UK on-trade from October in a limited run of 20-litre kegs, as well as a small number of 500ml cans, available to consumers at selected events
The name Bohemian Idols is a link to the No Idols beer range brewed by Pivovar Clock, and also reflects both breweries’ place in the beer culture of Bohemia.
As well as uniting the two brewers themselves, Bohemian Idols also brings together tradition and innovation in two Czech hop varieties. The recipe uses Saaz Late, a variation on the ancient Czech Saaz hop, bringing an important balance of bitterness and aroma, and the newly developed Kazbek, which has a citrus flavour, often used in IPAs, as well as the spice of a classic noble hop.
Bohemian Idols was brewed in the Pivovar Clock brewery in Potštejn, eastern Bohemia, by brewmaster Jakub Sychra, and Aleš Dvořák, of Budvar. Together with Budvar’s traditional malts, sourced from the Hana region of Moravia, the double decoction mashing process was followed by six weeks of cold conditioning in Pivovar Clock’s cellars.
As the nation’s brewery, still proudly owned by the Czech people, Budweiser Budvar collaborates with many smaller and up-and coming breweries, but Bohemian Idols is the first collaboration by Budvar to be available beyond the Czech border.
Jitka Vlčková, managing director of Budweiser Budvar UK, said: “The UK is one of the most important markets for Budvar outside the Czech Republic itself, and so we’re delighted to be launching Bohemian Idols at a series of Tap Takeovers hosted by some of our closest on-trade partners.
“Czech brewing is a proud combination of tradition and innovation, and Bohemian Idols brings that all together with a new and refreshing take on the classic Czech lager.”
Jakub Sychra, of Pivovar Clock, said: “Budweiser Budvar is the beer I’m proud represents Czech brewing around the world. A collaboration between what is the biggest craft brewery and one of the smallest was a logical step for us. Our aim was to make a classic Czech beer, but one that will have that extra zest of new raw materials, new hops, and a New World kind of taste.”
The tap takeovers
Tap Takeovers will be held during October and November at venues in London, Brighton, Manchester, Bristol, Worcester, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Venues and dates include:
- Pivo, London EC1V 9AA, 20th October
- The Pembury Tavern, London E8 1JH, 31st October
- The Porterhouse, London WC2E 7NA, 27th October
- Llandoger Trow, Bristol BS1 4ER, 3rd November
- Firefly, Worcester WR1 2SE, 4th November
- Cambrian Tap, Cardiff CF10 1AD, 5th November
- Left Handed Giant, Bristol BS2 0JE, 12th November
- Piccadilly Tap, Manchester M1 2GH, 15th November
- Salthorse, Edinburgh EH1 1NB, 24th November
- Koelschip Yard, Glasgow, 25th November
Further dates and venues will be listed here as they are confirmed.
