STAROPRAMEN
InBev
Czech Republic, 5% ABV
The name of this Czech classic has been mispronounced by thirsty punters to bemused bar staff more times than I care to mention. Various attempts have been overheard, a favourite being ‘Stop Amen’! The beer’s tag line advertising itself as the Star of Prague is an easy way to remember pronunciation. (A direct translation of the name is in fact ‘Old Spring’.) Most folks these days ask for it as ‘Star’ and they are served one of the greatest pilsner beers the celebrated brewers of Bohemia have ever created. They’re not daft these Czechs; not only (in 1869) did they build the Staropramen Brewery slap bang in the middle of Prague’s industrial quarter ensuring a proximity to beer drinkers, they also have a term, riz, which means ‘just right’ in the context of a thirst quenching finish to a beer. Using Saatzer hops gives Czech pilsner its distinctive taste and Staropramen pilsner especially that cutting, hoppy delicious finish. In the 1930s, the Staropramen brewery was the largest in Czechoslovakia, but after the Second World War all Czechoslovakian breweries were nationalised under Soviet rule. When independence returned in 1989, Staropramen became part of the Prague Breweries group (Prazské Pivovary). Although now a worldwide brand owned by InBev, weirdly, until the late 1990s one of the few places ‘Star’ was available in the UK on draught was in the Rovers Return at the end of the Coronation Street Granada Studio tour! Now say after me, ‘Star-oh-Pramen please, Betty!’ GT
