Nettle Beer - Pivovarský Dům

chinchill

South Carolina

3.45/5  rDev +10.2%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

On tap at the brewery: July 2011

This "beer" is so exotic that it is certainly debatable whether it belongs in a beer listing. It is not just made with some nettles for flavoring, nettles seems to be the main ingredient. Consequently, the beer is distinctly green and the head is even notably greenish: An employee assured me that the color is all natural (as, I believe, can be said of all of their beers). The aroma is of herbs and a spinach-like earthy plant I assume is the nettles. (I did eat nettles once many years ago but have only vague memories). The flavor too is largely nettles with everything else mostly submerged.

Fun and exotic. I rather liked it but ultimately felt once was probably enough. You may want to opt for a smaller sample as part of their nice tasting wheel.

Serving type: on-tap

08-03-2011 01:26:15 | More by chinchill

metter98

New York

3.25/5  rDev +3.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

On-tap at Pivovarský Dům, Prague, Czech Republic

A: The beer is clear light green in color and poured with a two finger high white head that had a slight lime green tint to it. The head slowly died down and there are no signs of visible carbonation.
S: The beer definitely smells like the forest and also has some woody aromas.
T: The taste is very strong and similar to the smell; there is some bitterness and the finish leaves a strong aftertaste of the nettle leaves.
M: It feels light-bodied on the palate with a light to moderate amount of carbonation. There is some dryness in the finish.
D: The beer is definitely unique and worth a try, but there's no way that I could have more than one of these at a time. The beer grows on you and becomes easier to drink after you've had a few sips.

Serving type: on-tap

12-09-2010 10:59:19 | More by metter98

FreshHawk

Illinois

3/5  rDev -4.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 2.5

A - Clear, light kiwi green color with an average sized foamy head that is white with a greenish tint. Average retention with a decent lacing left.

S - Definitely has a strong nettle/herbal smell. Also a bit earthy and peppery.

T - Similar to the nose with a lot of nettle, herbal, and pepper taste. This provides a biting and bitter taste throughout. Slight earthy and herbal hops are present in the middle of the sip. After drinking it for a while, there was a very slight almost mint like taste on the finish, although it never lasted long or really competed with the nettle taste.

M - Light body with lower than average carbonation. Fairly smooth but quite thin.

D - The nettle flavors get to be a bit much and I wouldn't want to drink more than one, but it was smooth and wasn't a chore to drink.

Notes: 5% ABV. Interesting beer that definitely has a strong nettle taste. Worth a try, especially if you like new, interesting beers. I had it before the meal and it did make a decent apéritif.

Serving type: on-tap

03-29-2010 18:52:55 | More by FreshHawk

rukus29

New York

2.42/5  rDev -22.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

just back from prague with some updates/additions for this brewery. typed up from hand written note taken at the microbrewery.

A = Green, sour apple color, slight haze, thin layer of white-greenish head fades fast leaving some slight lacing.

S = Peppery, cinnamon, licorice, pumpkin, spices, smells like non-alcoholic tequila.

T = Spicy and peppery and cinnamony, like an alcohol-free tequila. In addition to the nettle taste, some pumpkin comes in first half while black licorice hits in the middle. A hint of malt comes through at the end along with a nice amount of hops that linger. The spices/herbs almost remind me of green italian seasoning.

M = Very light, low carbonation, very smooth like water.

D = Not very drinkable for me as the spices and herbs are too strong for my tastes.

Serving type: on-tap

12-08-2009 12:26:41 | More by rukus29

Big78CJ

Michigan

3.05/5  rDev -2.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 2.5

Beer tasted and reviewed June 2006. Typed from notes.

Now this was an experience. I read about this eucalyptus beer in MJ's pocket beer guide. I was absolutely intrigued by the idea and his description of its uniqueness. I was not disappointed, at least not in its originality.

As another reviewer pointed out, the beer is a clear light green. No haze and no floaters in this beer. Mine had the remnants of a light white head but that did not last long. The smell was very herbal and earthy, almost dirty. My ratings above are a composite of my own and my father's impression of the beer. He loved its originality and likely would have given the taste a 4.5. I, on the other hand, applaud the originality but the beer tasted too strongly of black-pepper to me. There was a strong herbal bite to the beer that turned me off. I still finished it and would even give it another try next time I am in Praha. That being said I put the drinkability low because there is no way in hell this would be a regular in my fridge.

Still, it is a great place to stop by for a beer and the train takes you right to the street corner it is on.

Serving type: on-tap

10-11-2007 16:16:03 | More by Big78CJ

wl0307

United Kingdom (England)

3.65/5  rDev +16.6%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3

Tasted this beer at the brewpub on 28 June. Don't know if it's their experimented product but the name aroused so much imagination I couldn't resist ordering a glass to try...

It pours a mysteriously beautiful, almost totally clear, lime-like green colour, with a fine white head. The colour can also be said of the famous Czech spirit, Absinth, but I was conscious enough not to be confused. The nose is utterly fresh-leafy (though I have no idea whatsoever what Nettle leaves should smell like), with a softly hoppy note and mild maltiness. The palate is again, interesting--malty flavour underlined by the juicy nettle-leafy savour, followed by zatec/saaz-like hops' soft and aromatic bitterness. The aftertaste is not lingering, with maltiness and hoppyness negotiated by the almost warmish mouthfeel of nettle leaves (so it IS lingering after all, as far as the nettle's flavour is concerned). Not a bad try, and this beer may offer more imagination for more experienced and knowledgeable BAs. But one glass is surely more than enough (well...as the brewpub has so many different exciting stuffs to offer~~). Can be a good aperitiv though.

Serving type: on-tap

07-11-2005 18:50:42 | More by wl0307