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Svijanská Kněžna

Pivovar Svijany
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🌍 Czechia · Czech Dark Special Lager · One of 1 Czech Dark Special Lagers in hopIQ

A dark lager built on four kinds of roasted malt, which the brewery points out means the colour comes from the grist rather than from added colouring. The result is denser than the pale beers, with a coffee-and-caramel character. It is the intended partner for cutting with any of the other Svijany beers. First place at Beer of the Czech Republic in 2016.

ABV
5.2%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter33 IBU
Roasted bitterness
SRM
deep amber20
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Taste structure· The backbone of the beer, regardless of style.
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
hopIQ take

Even from Body through Texture, the taste structure is evenly distributed.

Harmony over emphasis — the beer is built for each note to sit at the same volume.

Wider bands mean we're less certain about the exact position.
Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Czech Dark Special Lager.
Malt character
roasted
caramel
coffee
malty
Fermentation & yeast
clean
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Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Svijanská Kněžna

Appearance

Deep mahogany brown with excellent clarity, revealing the natural color derived from four roasted malts rather than added colorant. A dense, persistent head forms with fine retention and builds a fine lacing. Carbonation appears moderate and well-integrated.

deep mahoganycleardense head

Aroma

The nose opens with prominent roasted grain and coffee notes, complemented by subtle caramel sweetness. Dark malt character dominates, suggesting cocoa and toasted bread without harsh burnt edges. The aromatic profile remains clean and inviting, with balanced complexity.

roasted maltcoffeecaramelcocoa

Taste

Full-bodied on entry with a pronounced malty foundation and coffee-forward character that carries through the mid-palate. Caramel sweetness provides structural balance without cloying. Moderate bitterness (33 IBU) emerges smoothly in the finish, lending definition without dominance. The overall impression is clean and well-crafted.

full-bodiedmaltycoffee-forwardbalanced bitterness

Finish

The finish is smooth and moderately dry, with lingering roasted grain and subtle caramel notes. Bitterness fades gradually, leaving a pleasant malty aftertaste.

smoothmalty finish
84
hopIQ score
Aroma
85
Taste
86
Appearance
82
Finish
80
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Svijanská Kněžna

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 Svijanská Kněžna

About Czech Dark Special Lager

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Czech Dark Special Lager?

Czech Dark Special 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 Special Lager

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

WHERE TO BUY

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