In a celebration of the unique character of Czech beer, London’s Bohem Brewery is launching Most, a single hop lager brewed in collaboration with hop specialist and merchant Charles Faram.
The beer is named for the Most hop, developed by Charles Faram and grown exclusively in the Czech Republic. Bohem is one of a handful of brewers taking part in a select series of international collaborations spotlighting Most.
After six weeks in the refrigerated lagering tanks at Bohem’s north London brewery, the new 4.5% ABV dry-hopped, single hopped limited edition Czech lager is now available in kegs and cans, while stocks last.
The brewing collaboration day saw Charles Faram MD Paul Corbett, and Jon Stringer, sales manager/brewer, join Bohem head brewer Matěj Krizek. The team used the brewery’s authentic Czech decoction brewing kit to create a beer that spotlights the flavour profile of the Most hop, which has been in development over the past five years.
Most lager has a grapefruit and melon aroma, with a complex taste profile for a single-hop lager. Initial ripe fruits contribute to a balance of sweet and savoury notes. A soft, full mouthfeel and subtle bitterness rounds out a drinkable beer that tastes bigger than its 4.5% ABV.
Corbett said: “Most is a very new hop and still in trials. Brewing with Bohem gave us a chance to see how the hop performs ‘under fire’, using real-world Czech brewing kit and producing a commercial beer with genuine appeal to lager drinkers.”
Bohem and five Canadian breweries have joined in a technical collaboration with Charles Faram to unlock the exciting and creative potential of this burgeoning hop.
For Krizek, and brewing assistant Honza Svatek, it was an opportunity to create a lager that highlights the light fruity characteristics of Most, including tropical fruits and strawberry, while still retaining the essential character and spicy finish of a classic Czech lager.
“Most is a complex hop that has delivered a complex beer, which is different to anything else we brew. We’re really pleased that Charles Faram has given us the opportunity to work with the new hop, and it was great to work with Paul and Jon on the collaboration.”
Most is a dual-purpose hop that can used for aroma or bittering. It was developed by Charles Faram & Co Ltd and named Most by the Czech growers, meaning “bridge”, as it was seen as a bridge between the UK and the Czech Republic. It is a sister variety of Charles Faram UK hop varieties Jester and Olicana.
Most Dry-Hopped, Single Hopped Czech Lager is available on draught and a limited run of cans from Bohem Brewery while stocks last. For more details see www.bohembrewery.com
