🔥 Brewed & Done: Czech Pilsner (Bohemian Style)

Category: Choobrew 🍺

Made by: John Isaiah

Package Date : 4/2/2025

We just knocked out a beautiful, crisp Czech Pilsner — and this one’s the real deal. Smooth malt backbone, soft bitterness, and that clean, floral Saaz hop finish. This brew sticks true to tradition but was made with love right here at Choobies.

Here’s a quick look at what went down with this batch:

🛠 What Went Into It:

• Style: Classic Bohemian Pilsner

• Grains: 100% authentic Czech malts

• Hops: All Czech Saaz (for that noble, herbal aroma)

• Yeast: W-34/70 for that clean lager taste

• Water: Soft profile tailored for Czech lagers (adjusted with Gypsum & CaCl₂)

📅 Brewing Breakdown:

• Mash Temp: 152°F for 90 minutes

• Boil Time: 90 minutes (to kill off DMS)

• Fermentation: 50°F for ~2 weeks

• Diacetyl Rest: 65°F for 2–3 days

• Lagering: Cold conditioned at 34°F for 4–6 weeks

📈 Final Stats:

• ABV: ~4.8%

• IBU: ~35

• Color: Golden (SRM 3–5)

• Taste: Malty-smooth with a spicy, floral hop edge

🍺 What We Learned (aka The Real Story Behind the Lager)

Every brew has a story, and this Czech Pilsner taught us something special.

From the start, we aimed to create something timeless—clean, crisp, and true to the classic Bohemian style. No gimmicks. Just quality ingredients and a traditional approach. What we didn’t expect was how much it would resonate with such a wide range of people.

At our first tastings and gatherings, we noticed something interesting. A lot of folks who usually chase after juicy IPAs or bold hop bombs were loving this lager. It wasn’t trying to be loud or complex, but the balance it carried—smooth malt backbone, floral noble hops, and a dry finish—spoke for itself.

Then came the real surprise: the non-beer drinkers.

We saw people who usually pass on beer altogether take a sip, then another, and finish the glass. They didn’t need time to “acquire the taste.” This one was instantly drinkable. Light, refreshing, and clean—without sacrificing character. We kept hearing things like, “I don’t even like beer, but this... this I’d drink.”

That feedback meant a lot.

It reminded us why we do this. Sometimes in brewing, it’s easy to chase bold flavors or ride the latest trends. But this lager showed us that there's power in simplicity. That when done right, a traditional beer can still feel fresh, exciting, and welcoming to everyone—no matter their usual taste.

This Czech Pilsner has officially earned its place in our core lineup. It started as a nod to tradition and ended up becoming a crowd favorite. We’ll definitely be brewing it again—and maybe even riffing on it with a few creative twists down the road. But the original? That one’s a keeper.

🍺 What’s Next?

This one’s been cold lagering and is tasting clean, crisp, and ready for sipping. We might host a tasting session soon — if you're down to try it, fill out the Choobrew Tasting Form here.

Donations are always appreciated too 🙏 — every bit goes into crafting better beer and bringing Choobies to life.

More brews on the way. Jungle Hop, the porter project, and maybe even something peachy… stay tuned.

If you tried it, Tell us what you think in the comments.