Budweiser beer: history, taste overview and types
The Budweiser brand can be considered one of the most controversial in the history of brewing. For several decades, American and Czech producers have been fighting for the right to own it.
The latter is supported by the fact that the town of Ceske Budejovice in the Czech Republic has been producing a drink of this name since at least the 16th century. While the American company "Anheuser-Busch" launched the production of Budweiser only in 1876.
Currently, the brand belongs to the Czech brewery Budějovický Budvar, which is why Vzboltai dedicated this article to it.
History of the company
Beer was probably brewed on the territory of Ceske Budejovice in the second half of the 13th century.
At that time, the city was known as Budvaise: this name formed the basis of the legendary brand's name.
According to legend, the king who founded the settlement granted its inhabitants the right to brew the frothy drink.
Later, the local beer became so popular that it was regularly supplied to the court of the Prussian monarch Frederick I.
The modern brewery on the site of the primitive brewery appeared only in 1895. "Budweiser Budvar has been actively increasing production volumes and has begun to supply products outside the country.
In 1897, the drink received a gold medal at an exhibition in Stuttgart.
Today, the brand is appreciated not only by Czechs but also by beer lovers all over the world - local products are exported to 80 countries.
Among the achievements - the title "World’s Best Lager" at the prestigious World Beer Awards competition.
Czech brewers value their reputation and not only maintain their positions, but also constantly improve the production process and develop new types of beverages.
The territory of the enterprise is open to tourists, who have a developed infrastructure, fascinating excursions and tastings at their disposal. The company has several branches located in Slovakia, Germany and the UK.
Features of Czech Budweiser
Careful selection of components
The company uses only first-class aromatic hops, high-purity artesian water extracted from a 300-meter well, a special malt variety ideal for brewing, and the best quality grain.
Yeast is produced in our own laboratory.
Compliance with the law of 1516 on the purity of beer
The oldest Regulation on the quality of ingredients, which is still in force today.
No artificial colors or hop extracts are used in the production process.
Creating a special microclimate
In breweries and the development of unique recipes for each type of drink.
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Original methods of processing raw materials that have a 750-year history
These include: boiled mashing method, slow primary bottom fermentation and long cold secondary fermentation.
The fermentation period depends on the type of beer and ranges from 10 to 15 days.
The yeast takes an average of 1-3 months to mature in special tanks at 1-3 °C, with some types being aged for more than six months.
During this period, the taste softens, the drink gets rid of unnecessary impurities and acquires a harmonious composition.
Types of Budweiser beer
The company produces both light and dark versions of the drink. The strength ranges from 4 to 7.5%. There is also a non-alcoholic product.
Budweiser Budvar B:ORIGINAL
Premium light beer. The use of high quality raw materials and a 3-month maturation period allowed us to create a delicious drink that delights all the senses.
The rich golden color, mild intoxicating aroma and pleasant bitterness will appeal to true connoisseurs.
Budweiser Budvar B:CLASSIC
"Beer that suits everyone" is how the manufacturer positions this light drink.
A light version of premium products.
Budweiser Budvar B:DARK
Dark premium beer is characterized by a pronounced color, a wonderful aroma of roasted malt and a dry, slightly bitter caramel flavor without dominant sweetness.
It is made using the same technology as a light drink, including three types of malt: Munich, caramel and roasted.
A fruit beer with cherries - Budweiser Budvar B:CHERRY - is also brewed on the basis of dark Budweiser.
Budweiser Budvar B:SPECIAL
To create this unusual drink, the traditional method was modified: the beer takes longer to mature and undergoes several fermentation cycles.
It is packaged in casks, which gives the product an original taste: connoisseurs find yeast notes in it.
The color of the special Budweiser is golden yellow, opaque, without the usual shine, the light initial taste is replaced by hardness and strength. Beer is a good refresher.
Bud B:STRONG
Due to the 200-day maturation period, this drink is considered the "peak of beer alchemy".
Its rich malt flavor and dark golden hue can be a worthy end to any evening or special day.
This is a truly Czech pearl in the field of brewing. The strength is 7.5%.
Budweiser Budvar Cvikl
Unfiltered yeast beer from a barrel is a tribute to local traditions.
To make the beer flow like a river, it is enough to get a beech wedge ("cvikl" in Czech).
This is the same drink from the cellar with a fresh, full flavor, more pronounced bitterness and a matte haze characteristic of the unfiltered product.
Budweiser Budvar B:FREE
Czech brewers have also taken care of those who have to abstain from drinking alcohol due to official duty or other circumstances.
Non-alcoholic Budweiser is designed for drivers and teetotalers: the taste is almost the same as the classic version.
Drink variants may differ in design and other characteristics depending on the place of production.
American Bud vs Czech Budweiser
Do not confuse the Czech product with the American one: they have similar tastes, but not the same ones.
The differences concern not only the composition but also other parameters:
Beer from the United States is lighter, better thirst quenching, light and fresh. It is more often produced under the brand name "Bud".
The Czech drink has a denser structure and is well suited for drinking after a hearty dinner, winter gatherings in a friendly or family company.
The taste, in addition to traditional hop and grain notes, contains caramel and coffee tones.
Recommendations for use
The optimal temperature for tasting is 5-10 °C.
Light varieties are good for summer because they have a refreshing effect.
Dark ones are ideal for winter.
The following are suitable as snacks: crayfish, shrimp, cheese, spicy snacks, chips, dried and dried fish, Asian dishes.
Dark species in harmony with meat, German and Latin American dishes.
Update: 14.12.2018
Category: Beer, Cider, Ale