Koutský 14° Tmavý Speciál

Back from a Czech Republic pub-crawl this is part of my express ratings for the “typical” Světlý 11°- (Czech light Pils), Světlý 12°+ (Czech Pils), Polotmavý (Czech Amber Lagers) and Tmavý (Czech Black Lagers). Non-typical beers will receive personalized descriptions after the express ratings.
----------------------------------------------------------------
How: Tap at Koutland, Pilsen, Czech Republic
The look: Clear very dark ruby body with a medium beige head
To me a typical Czech Tmavé (Czech Black Lager) is: Dark malts and barely any roastiness sensation. Some dark fruits flavours (raisins with a little figs, dates and prunes) wrapped in smooth dark caramel (borderline toffee) and a subtle chocolate note. A bit bready. Moderately sweet without much hops presence and only a mild bitterness (voluntary unbalanced it seems). Very smooth body, like a watery cream.
This one: As above but with a bit more sweet malts presence (fudge cake flavour) and a bit less fruity than average. A bit heavier than average. One of the best one I’ve had from this style (Czech Tmavý) that I found generally boring.

En fűt. Pinte dégustée chez Koutland (Plzen, Rép. Tchčque). Arôme: Odeur de raisin, de chocolat et de mélasse. Apparence: La couleur est noire. Présence d’un large col beige mousseux et d’une fine dentelle sur le verre. Saveur: Goűt de caramel fruité avec une pointe chocolatée. Durée moyenne de l’arričre goűt. Palette: Le corps est moyen avec une texture légčrement minérale. Moyenne effervescence en bouche. Légčre présence de tabac en arričre goűt. (Rating #1551)

My Bottom Line:
Vinous fruitiness greets the chocolate sweetness warmly, leading it to hushed wooden hop bitterness for an almost balanced, but surely well-built Tmavé.

Further Personal Perceptions:
-A sheet of foam covers the burgundy-laced black.
-That vinosity evolves into a subtle tartness as well.
-The mouthfeel on this one straddles nourishment and drinkability.
-The maltiness is definitely enjoyable, but it could have more complex for my tastes in Tmavé.

On tap at Koutland, Plzen.

Draught, Domazlice. Head is mostly lasting. Body is medium brown. Aroma is moderately malty (toasted bread, cookie, caramel, roasted nuts), moderately hoppy (flowers, herbs), lightly yeasty (horseblanket), with notes of plum and honey. Flavor is moderately sweet, lightly bitter. Finish is lightly to moderately sweet, moderately bitter. Medium body, velvety texture, lively carbonation. Surprisingly my pick of the Kout line, although I only had 500mL of each beer a single time each, so maybe this just happened to be a lucky batch. Delicious nose with even a perplexing but repeatably identifiable waft of horsey wild yeast in there...not much, but just enough to keep my nose affixed to the mug. Great balance too. What a great brewery!

Ze sudu v Koutlandu, Plzen: Dark ruby-amber coloured, shy sweet-malty, caramelly and coffeeish nose, moderate sweet-bitter flavour, medium bodied, short caramelly finish. Not really impressive..........