Žatec Blue Label (Bright Lager)

Stolen half in the elevator of the Mercure. Aroma soft leather, miniscule banana, pencilly Saaz, sweet malts like honey. Slick and efficient. Creeping almond, mellow conifer, grassy hops and honey malt sweetness. Better lager/pils than you expect to find in a UK hotel bar.

Bright yellow/gold appearance with a large, fluffy, white head and minimal lacing. Subdued, straightforward aroma of hops and sweet, grainy malts. Taste was slightly sweet, clean and crisp, though not especially bitter. Light-to-medium bodied mouthfeel with good carbonation leading to a short lived finish. Will not knock your socks off, but a nice, easy drinking, uncomplicated pils.

500ml bottle into Pilsener glass at Four Dogs Tavern. Pours clear gold with a quickly dissipating 1-finger head. Aroma is sweet, floral. lots of honey, a little metal. Flavor is very heavy green apple and honey. Grass, light spice also there. Clean, abrupt finish. Refreshing.

Bottle. Nice golden body, dense white head receding, Saaz (or should I say Zatec Red) nose. Honeyed malts, Saaz, light DMS. Lightly carbonated for the style.

[330ml bottle at Malmaison, Reading] Attractive deep gold/ amber with a large, lasting foamy white head. Smells sweet, honeyed, some grass. Tastes disappointing in comparison; some malt and a tiny hint of grass, but mainly a bland watery bitterness. Instantly forgettable.