At East Brother Beer Co., we’ve always been drawn to the styles that have stood the test of time; beers built on craft, patience, and a sense of place. Our newest release, Czech Dark Lager, belongs to a tradition that never felt the need to chase the spotlight.
In its homeland of Bohemia, Tmavé Pivo (literally "dark beer") wasn't a novelty or a seasonal gimmick; it was the comforting heartbeat of the local pub. While the world still celebrates the 1842 "Golden Revolution" of Pilsner, the dark lager remained in the shadows—soulful, steady, and deeply misunderstood.
What Makes a Czech Dark Lager Different?
One of the reasons this style is often overlooked is that it’s frequently filed under the wrong label. Many drinkers see a dark lager and immediately think of a German Schwarzbier. While the comparison makes sense at a glance, the experience is fundamentally different.
The Flavor Profile: Unlike the lean, roasty finish of a Schwarzbier, a Czech Dark Lager is all about the bread crust and caramel.
The Body: We’ve utilized Weyermann Melanoidin Malt to mimic the traditional decoction mashing process, giving the beer a rich, "chewy" mouthfeel without being heavy.
The Roast: To achieve that deep garnet color without the harsh bitterness of a stout, we use a precise blend of Thomas Fawcett Pale Chocolate and Simpsons Black Malt. It’s cocoa and toast, not burnt coffee.
Local Roots, Continental Soul
While the inspiration is European, the soul of this beer is local. Our malt bill features California-grown grains from Admiral Maltings, including their Feldblume, Admiral’s Hearth, and Kilnsmith varieties. These malts provide a fresh, toasted-biscuit foundation that grounds the beer in our own backyard.
To balance that rich maltiness, we turned to a classic European hop profile. We used German Magnum for a clean, stable bitterness, layered with the noble, herbal aromas of Hallertau Mittelfruh and Tettnang. Fermented with a traditional German Lager yeast, the result is a beer that is incredibly complex yet remarkably "crushable."
A Beer Built for Another Round
Some beer styles arrive with fireworks and disappear just as fast. Others earn your loyalty the way the best local spots do—slowly, warmly, and without needing to shout.
Czech Dark Lager is that second kind of classic. It offers a unique middle ground for the modern craft drinker:
Complexity for the Connoisseur: The layers of Admiral and specialty malts provide plenty to talk about.
Sessionability: Despite its dark hue, it finishes crisp and clean, making it a beer built for another round.
In a world of loud flavors, there is something radical about a beer that is simply, reliably good.
