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Zvíkov Best Bitter Ale 12°

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A top-fermented best bitter that puts hops first: a very intense to extreme aroma of 'exotic' hops with herbal accents meets the pleasant esters of ale fermentation. The bitterness is strong in intensity and in character. Brewed at 12° original gravity by the family brewery near Zvíkov, which Josef Valenta and Michal Voldřich founded in 1993.

ABV
5.2%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
amber12
PaceA Few
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
What makes this beer itself
MaltHop
hoppyherbaltropical
hoppy
herbal
tropical
fruity
yeasty
caramel
Aroma
An assertive hop-forward nose dominates, presenting exotic citrus and herbal notes with pronounced tropical fruit undertones—mango and stone fruit emerge alongside earthy, resinous accents.
also:malty
not found:juicy,roasted,clean,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Zvíkov Best Bitter Ale 12°

◎ Appearance

Golden amber hue with excellent clarity and a dense, creamy head that clings persistently to the glass walls. Fine carbonation delivers steady effervescence throughout the pour, maintaining robust head retention that speaks to careful conditioning and proper glassware presentation.

golden ambercleardense headwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

An assertive hop-forward nose dominates, presenting exotic citrus and herbal notes with pronounced tropical fruit undertones—mango and stone fruit emerge alongside earthy, resinous accents. Beneath this lies the gentle fruity ester character typical of ale fermentation, with subtle caramel malt undertones providing a gentle counterpoint to the aggressive hop profile.

exotic hopsherbaltropical fruitester-forward

◐ Taste

The palate opens with clean malt sweetness and a subtle caramel note before the robust bitterness takes hold, delivering persistent and penetrating hop character throughout. Mid-palate reveals layered herbal and citrus dimensions that complement rather than soften the bite; yeasty, slightly fruity notes add complexity without obscuring the central bitter thrust. The body remains smooth and well-balanced despite the intensity.

bitter-forwardherbal bitesmooth bodyhoppy throughout

◑ Finish

The finish is long and dry, with lingering herbal-bitter notes and a clean hop signature that fades gradually without astringency. Residual tropical fruit esters provide gentle sweetness that balances the final aftertaste.

dry finishlong aftertasteherbal residue
82
hopIQ score
Aroma
88
Taste
85
Appearance
86
Finish
76
Serve at 8–11°C

Serve at 8–11°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Zvíkov Best Bitter Ale 12°

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About Best Bitter

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Best Bitter?

Best Bitter 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 Best Bitter

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same hoppy, bitter, herbal character as Zvíkov Best Bitter Ale 12° will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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