What is beer drinkability?

The age-old idiom in the Czech language is “Jdem na jedno” meaning “We go to the pub to get one beer” (from the shortness of the original version you can easily say how often this is used by the locals). Every Czech also knows very well what that means. He will come from the local pub with a broad Slavic smile, which indicates drinking much more than a single glass. The real reason behind this is the drinkability of the Czech lager. So let´s take a deeper look. And next time you will have a similar issue, you will know better.

It’s all about the pleasure

Believe it or not, drinkability is an actual term being used scientifically in the brewing industry. You see the problem with beer tasting is that an expert usually has a different idea about what is a good beer than your average beer-drinking Joe. It is no secret that breweries want for their product to be sought after. So it is therefore important for them to understand what makes us drink more. 

In short, it is all about the pleasure of drinking. The beer must be tasty for the consumer and he must be looking forward to drinking another glass. Probably the most poignant definition is: “The drinkability of beer is a harmony of taste, aroma, and appearance which stimulates taking a sip”.

So why is the Czech-style pils lager so drinkable?

Pils is the most favorite beer in the world and its consumption is still on the rise. And among all the original Czech lager is one of the most drinkable. Just look at the whopping 130+ liters of beer consumed by an average Czech a year. The drinkability of Czech pils was proven also experimentally by Japanese scientists. So what is the secret sauce?

It boasts a higher residual (non-fermentable) extract, giving it more body, a deeper color, lower acidity, and a richer content of polyphenolic compounds from hops. These are responsible also for the feeling in your mouth that screams "Drink some more!"  Also, less fermentation means less alcohol content. But let's talk taste. A proper pils lager is all about that full-bodied flavor, a lingering bitterness, minimal funky smells or flavors, and a rich golden hue capped off with a creamy white head.

Nutritional powerhouse

The beer experience isn't just about what's in the glass; it's about what it does for you. Research from the Brewing and Malting Research Institute (VÚPS) has shown that original pils also packs a nutritional punch. In their study, they found that Czech brews have higher levels of carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals compared to foreign beers.

Věra Hönigová, research manager at VÚPS, confirms, "We've revisited a vast array of domestic and foreign Pilsner-style beers and confirmed the results of our previous studies. This means Czech beer continues to reign supreme in drinkability. Plus, we discovered that Czech pils contains 45% more vitamin B6 and 30% more vitamin B1 than its foreign counterparts." 

So there you have it, folks – Czech pils isn't just a beverage; it's a nutrients-packed sensory delight tapped into one frosty glass. Cheers to that!