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Kozel Černý

Plzeňský Prazdroj
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🌍 Czech Republic · Czech Dark Lager · One of 7 Czech Dark Lagers in hopIQ

Kozel's dark lager — 'Černý' means 'Black'. A low-alcohol Czech dark lager with roasted malt, caramel, light chocolate and a smooth, clean finish. Deceptively sessionable at 3.8%, Kozel Černý is the Czech dark lager style at its most approachable: malt-forward without being heavy, with the signature Kozel smoothness. A popular Czech-pub half-pint alongside a pint of Světlé.

ABV
3.8%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
dark33
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Crisp mouthfeel.

A sharp texture drives the beer — a clean, direct pour with room for the palate to fill in.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Czech Dark Lager.
Malt character
malty
roasted
caramel
chocolate
bready
Fermentation & yeast
clean
Distinctive notes
smooth drinking
Compare with another beer →

FEATURED IN

Featured inThe Best Czech Beers

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Kozel Černý

Appearance

Deep garnet to black color with excellent clarity, revealing the beer's true dark character without cloudiness. A modest tan head forms initially and dissipates to a thin collar, typical of Czech lagers. Fine carbonation creates a refined visual presentation befitting this approachable session lager.

deep garnetblackclearmodest tan head

Aroma

The nose leads with toasted bread and roasted malt character, creating an inviting, approachable bouquet. Subtle chocolate and caramel undertones emerge, with a faint coffee note that adds complexity without overwhelming the delicate balance. Clean lager yeast provides a crisp backdrop, avoiding any harsh or overly roasted notes.

toasted breadroasted maltchocolatecaramel

Taste

Entry is smooth and malt-forward, with bread and grain flavors establishing the foundation. Mid-palate develops caramel sweetness and light chocolate notes, creating a balanced sweetness that never becomes cloying. Low bitterness (25 IBU) allows the malt character to shine, while a subtle coffee dryness begins developing on the palate.

malt-forwardbreadchocolate caramelsmooth balanced

Finish

The finish is remarkably clean and dry for a dark lager, with lingering roasted malt and grain notes fading gracefully. No harshness or excessive sweetness remains, instead leaving a pleasant, dry aftertaste that invites another sip.

cleandrysmooth
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
84
Appearance
81
Finish
83
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Kozel Černý

Serve at 4–7°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 4–7°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Stein
Recommended for this style

The sturdy German stein maintains temperature and keeps carbonation intact. Built for long, convivial drinking.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Kozel Černý

About Czech Dark Lager

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Czech Dark Lager?

Czech Dark Lager is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Czech Dark Lager

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same roasted, malty, clean character as Kozel Černý will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Czech Dark Lagers in hopIQ

WHERE TO BUY

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