KOZEL
Plzeňský Prazdroj
Czech Republic, 4.8%
If Czech pilsner is the finest in the world, and those from the Plzeňský Prazdroj brewery the finest in the Czech Republic, then that brewery’s Velkopopovický Kozel is arguably the finest of them all. From its 16th century beginnings in the small Czech town of Velké Popovice, this bitingly strong beer – perfect for people who like their beer to taste of beer with none of that fruity nonsense – finally acquired its Kozel name (meaning goat) and emblem in 1874, and has steadfastly resisted the vagaries of Bohemian history to this day, unless you count the baffling Axl Rose bandana on the goat that introduces the Kozel website. Unfortunately, Kozel is only available in bottles in the UK, so to enjoy it on draught you need to board a Stagnightair.com flight, take a rickety tram at least two stops away from the tourist masses, enter a dusty barroom and sit down at a table, place a beer mat in front of you and engross yourself in your Prague Post. Within five seconds – and without a single word being exchanged – a man with a battered waistcoat and a luxuriant moustache will stick a half-litre of Kozel on the mat. Drink it at your leisure. Blink. When you open your eyes, that same gentleman will have left you with another foaming glass and hot-footed it with your empty. This will continue until you work out how to stop him. And the bill for the whole lot will come to about a quid and a half. Including tip. MJ
