9 Iconic Czech Beers Worth Trying

The reputation of Czech beer extends far beyond the country's borders. The brewing heritage in the Czech Republic goes back centuries, and many of its modern beers today have exceptional drinkability, balanced bitterness, and distinctive character. There's plenty to explore, whether you're into refreshing pilsners or more malt-forward brews. It's no surprise that you're curious about them, as Czech brewing traditions have influenced beer culture around the world. Perhaps the best example of this is pilsners being created here, specifically in the city of Plzeň.

To put this selection of Czech beers together, Tasting Table reached out to experts for expertise. We also took wider consumer opinions and beer reviews into consideration to find nine standout examples worth seeking out. Some of these iconic beers are known around the world, whereas others may only be familiar to beer aficionados. What they all have in common, however, is exceptional quality that makes them well worth trying. Tasting all nine of these will give you an idea of what makes Czech beer so special before diving even deeper into the category.

Starting with probably the most obvious selection on this list: Pilsner Urquell. DJ Soria, Bartender at State Fare Bar & Kitchen at The Ritz-Carlton, Rancho Mirage, told Tasting Table it's an essential experience for beer enthusiasts. As Soria explained: "When it comes to iconic Czech beers, Pilsner Urquell is one I would encourage every beer enthusiast to experience at least once. First brewed in Plzeň in 1842, it set the standard for the golden pilsner style we know and enjoy today." Its enduring appeal comes down to an exceptional balance of flavors.

Soria went on to elegantly explain what those flavors are: "What makes it particularly special is its beautiful balance of rich malt character, delicate floral hop notes, and a refreshing finish with just the right touch of bitterness. It's a wonderful example of how exceptional craftsmanship and time-honored brewing traditions can create something that remains just as relevant and enjoyable nearly two centuries later." It's these qualities that make buying a pack of this lager at Walmart — or any other store, for that matter — a wise choice.

Staropramen is a brilliant beer that comes from the Czech capital, Prague. Its history goes back to 1871, with its name roughly translating as "old spring," and it has gone on to be one of the country's most well-known exports. The flagship Staropramen Premium Lager is a pale golden pilsner-style beer, offering an approachable introduction to Czech brewing. Its light flavor is hinted at on the nose, as it's a mix of gentle cereal notes, a light malt sweetness, and a touch of floral hops. The palate is similarly uncomplicated, but that shouldn't be mistaken for a lack of quality.

What you'll find in Staropramen Premium Lager is a level of balance that makes it endlessly refreshing. That comes from a mild biscuit-like malt, some subtle sweetness, and a fairly restrained bitterness. The finish is clean and leaves you with a modest hop presence rather than the lingering bitterness you'll find in other options. A seasoned beer drinker looking for depth of flavor may look past Staropramen, but its appeal is easy to understand. It's consistent, refreshing, easy to drink, and one of the most underrated European beers you can find in U.S. stores.

A lot of these beers will have both an international and a Czech name, but this one is a little different. Known as Czechvar in North America, it's known as Budweiser Budvar to everyone else. Established in 1895 in the South Bohemian city of České Budějovice, the brewery values traditional brewing methods and locally sourced ingredients, including using Moravian barley. While a fairly simple lager, it has a character that many alternative, internationally available pale beers lack.

Before even tasting Czechvar, you'll appreciate its golden appearance and bready malt, floral, slightly spicy, and hoppy aroma. When you take a sip, you'll notice it's more pronounced than many mainstream lagers. But it remains elegantly restrained, leading to a crisp, refreshing finish. Its maturation produces a rounded, well-integrated flavor profile without sacrificing drinkability. It's an essential for anyone wanting to experience what makes Czech beer so highly regarded.

Kozel Světlý is a traditional Czech pale lager that comes from just outside of Prague, from the Velké Popovice Brewery. There are a few great beers from Kozel, including its Černý dark beer and Premium Lager export, yet the Světlý represents an easy introduction to the brand. Also known as Kozel 10, it represents the lighter, more straightforward side of Czech brewing, giving you supreme refreshment and everyday drinkability. At around 4.2% ABV, Kozel Světlý pours a lovely golden-yellow color with an approachable character.

There is a subtle grassy element on the nose of Světlý, along with light malt sweetness and a touch of fresh bread. Its easy-drinking nature is the highlight, but it's not without flavor. You should be able to pick out notes of biscuit, cereal, and lightly toasted bread. Both the malt sweetness and herbal hop bitterness are quite mild and nicely balanced. Its relatively light body and clean finish make it particularly easy to enjoy alongside food. With beers this easy to drink, it's no surprise that the Czech Republic consumes the most beer per capita in the world.

If you're looking for a Czech lager with a little more bite, then Radegast Ryze Hořká 12 may well be what you're looking for, and a great example of what hops actually do in beer. That's because what you get here is a high emphasis on bitterness. That unique bitterness is aided by it being brewed with three types of Moravian hops. At 5.1% ABV, it results in a fairly distinctive beer, but one that is still easy enough to drink. It pours with a clear golden color; there are plenty of grassy and herbal aromas here from the hops, but also some floral and sweet notes.

As soon as you start drinking it, you'll notice how particularly full-bodied Radegast Ryze Hořká 12 is for a pale lager. It has a solid foundation of malt running through the drink, and along with that comes the significant hop bitterness. Additionally, you get notes of cereal, contrasted by earthiness and some spice. Its bitterness carries through to a crisp and lingering finish, showcasing this as a beer with a personality that doesn't sacrifice drinkability. If you like pale lagers but often feel they are too sweet or restrained, Radegast Ryze Hořká 12 is an appealing alternative.

Known as Sváteční Ležák in Czechia, Bernard Celebration is produced by the Bernard Brewery in the small town of Humpolec. It takes a lot of pride in the way it traditionally makes its beer, which is reflected in its more rustic product. The yeast influence is particularly prominent and leads to a slight cloudiness in its golden appearance. You can smell that yeast a little on the nose, but mostly you'll be getting notes of fresh bread, sweet malt, and a little fruit. It's another full-bodied beer, with this one coming in at 5% ABV.

That distinctive yeast character,  evident in Bernard Celebration's appearance and aroma, also comes through on the palate. It helps give it an earthy character, and there can be a little sediment left at the bottom of the bottle. Most of what you'll get is a pleasant malt and a range of flavors, including toasted bread, caramel, and cereal. The hop bitterness is noticeable but not quite to the level of the Radegast above. A touch of warmth on the finish confirms this as another characterful Czech pale lager. Yet, if you like crisp beer, you won't be disappointed here either.

Plenty of Czech breweries have fascinating histories, and Krušovice is a great example. Tracing back to 1581, it became a royal brewery just two years later. Now owned by Heineken, it still makes many great beers, including Krušovice Originál — another pale lager that comes in at 4.2% ABV. There is a strong focus here on locally sourced ingredients, with the hops coming from the Žatec and both Czech and Moravian barley malts being used. This gives the beer its distinctive character and, once poured into a glass, you'll appreciate its rich golden color and creamy white head.

Krušovice Originál is a particularly refreshing lager with flavors of biscuit, grain, and lightly caramelized malt. There's only a gentle sweetness in it, and it's balanced by a pleasant slight bitterness that has a little spicy edge. Its finish isn't quite as crisp as some of the other beers here, but it's still very clean. If you're looking for deep, adventurous flavors, you won't find them, but there's plenty to appreciate in terms of balance and drinkability. For a historical beer that still tastes great, it's another solid option.

Gambrinus Originál 10 is another beer from Plzeň — proving why it's one of the must-visit European cities for beer fans. With it, you'll enjoy a beer that's light-bodied and refreshing, with cereal, biscuit, and sweet malt flavors. The bitterness is noticeable but restrained, with grassy and herbal hops. All of this comes in a lovely golden appearance and a nice, bready aroma. It's a Czech pub staple that offers a taste of the country's everyday brewing traditions.

For the Gambrinus Originál 10, much of its uniqueness comes from its use of Sládek hops, which adds to its aromatic character. It's another beer with plenty of history — including its name, which comes from the legendary King Gambrinus, also known as the "king of beer." The brewery's history dates back to 1869, and as is the case with many of the beers on this list, it's an easy-drinking introduction to the rest of the brand's range.

Svijanský Máz comes from the Svijany Brewery, which is situated about 50 miles north of Prague and can trace its roots back to 1564. Svijanský Máz is perhaps its best-known beer and showcases those classic qualities of Czech lager. It's a pale lager with a lovely golden appearance. This also comes with a combination of fresh malt and herbal hop aromas. When you get to tasting, you'll appreciate its nicely rounded flavors, with its biscuit-like malt sweetness being the biggest highlight.

Svijanský Máz has gentle grain flavors and a noticeable hop bitterness that's more pronounced than most mainstream Czech lagers. They provide it with personality without overpowering the beer's refreshing qualities. It's this combination of traditional brewing character and everyday drinkability that appeals to many. For those looking to enjoy a classic Czech lager, Svijanský Máz is more than worth a try.