Kozel - Pivovar Velké Popovice a.s.

andrenaline

Ontario (Canada)

3.43/5  rDev +4.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

A - Pours a clear golden colour, finger of head with some retention and some sporadic lacing.

S - Bread crusts and grassy hop notes, hints of buttery corn and a hint of sour apple.

T - The bread crust flavours come through nicely alongside the grassy hop notes, the sour apple is coming through on the finish with some lemon rind a touch of caramel and a sour lemon bitterness that lingers.

M - Medium bodied, smooth and a touch of dryness.

O - Traditional mass produced euro export pilsener. Nothing mind blowing, easy drinking and reasonably flavourful. I probably wouldn't buy it again but it's worth a try and certainly a reasonable option in a pinch.

Serving type: can

05-19-2013 22:20:51 | More by andrenaline

Brabander

Netherlands

3.7/5  rDev +12.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

I bought this beer a few weeks ago in a supermarket when i was in the Tsjech republic. Small town called Cheb. Best before august 2013.

Poured in my Struise glass this beers looks good with it's golden yellow fluid and the nice white head. Very little carbonation but overall a good start.

Smell is typical for this style. Nothing special yet inviting.

Taste is good, not spectacular but the good mouthfeel makes this a good beer on a warm day! Next!

Serving type: bottle

05-12-2013 18:59:41 | More by Brabander

flyingpig

United Kingdom (Scotland)

3.58/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75

Clear, light golden amber colour with a head that settles to a pinky sized ring around the top of the beer after starting out quite large and there is some nice lacing left on the glass.

Butterscotch and sweetness along with a touch of vanilla and basic lager hops. Not that strong a beer but a pleasant smelling one at least.

Nice, sweet malts to begin along with the butterscotch and the vanilla that featured in the nose, albeit they are a little stronger here in the taste without overpowering. There is some bitterness towards the end but nothing out of place for a lager.

Smooth with a medium body and a light, bittersweet mouthfeel that was very easy to drink.

I'd tried this before and it's now like night and day when compared to this one. A lot sweeter and easier to drink without the skunk flavours, this one was a very nice lager that I would have again.

Serving type: on-tap

04-20-2013 00:40:13 | More by flyingpig

OWSLEY069

Pennsylvania

1.63/5  rDev -50.5%
look: 3 | smell: 1.5 | taste: 1.5 | feel: 2 | overall: 1.5

Pours a clean yellow color with a white head. In the aroma, faint lager like notes, but almost nothing. In the taste, dry lager tones, but almost skunky, which is weird cause it's in a can. A small bite and a medium bodied mouthfeel, with a small dryness to a clean aftertaste. Domestic lager like, faint tastes and smells, eh!

Serving type: can

08-23-2012 16:04:15 | More by OWSLEY069

CMUbrew

Michigan

2.4/5  rDev -27.1%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 2 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Reviewed from notes

Tall can poured into a plastic cup

A: Clear golden color. Plenty of carbonation bubbles racing to the surface. Not much head retention, mostly a spotty film that lingered.

S: I mostly get an earthy smell from this one. Not much else. Maybe that's the hops?

T: Earthy taste with grass and a bit of hop bitterness. Aftertaste is a bit unpleasant.

M: Light bodied, foamy feel in the mouth. Not great.

O: I hope the style gets better than Kozel. I didn't enjoy this one.

Serving type: can

03-10-2012 21:37:52 | More by CMUbrew

korguy123

Ontario (Canada)

3.2/5  rDev -2.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5

16oz can.

A- Darker straw yellow pour. Crystal clear with a two finger soapy head.

S- Light biscuit with a touch of grass and super faint hop.

T- Slight grass with an earthy taste. Slight cereal with a touch of hop. Very bland smelling.

M- Light and refreshing, prickly carbonation.

O- Typical Czech Pilsener, light and refreshing.

Serving type: can

01-05-2012 00:31:59 | More by korguy123

ludachris

Ontario (Canada)

3.15/5  rDev -4.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours a perfectly clear pale golden hue with two fingers of sticky and fluffy white head that displays good retention and leaves sheets of sticky, patchy lace.

The nose is dominated by grassy hops, fresh leaves, a bit of spice and a touch of lemon. It seems basic with too much emphasis placed on the grassy hop character.

A clean citrus zest which is surprisngly more assertive in the taste than the nose would lead you to think, is the first thing to hit the palate and quickly paired with some leafy spice. The finish is where the grassy hops come in, imparting a raw, organic bitterness that seems to be a bit out of place.

Mouthfeel is light bodied, a bit wet, with a crisp finish and a decent amount of carbonation.

Overall, this is an average Czech pilsner that carries its most basic characteristics and doesn't strive to improve on them. With the abundance of pilsners readily available to me, this seems easy to pass up.

Serving type: can

04-15-2010 20:20:31 | More by ludachris

biegaman

Ontario (Canada)

2.63/5  rDev -20.1%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2 | taste: 3 | feel: 2 | overall: 2.5

Golden delicious apple with a slight lime tinge when held up to the light. The beer is scantily coloured, its complexion is pale and transparent. It's an antiseptic looking appearance, which isn't exactly working in its favour like you'd imagine it might. The head is substantial and (in keeping with theme) bleaches the surface with a big wash of peroxide white froth.

This doesn't smell a tick like floral, spicy or grassy hops - in fact, it doesn't smell like any kind of hop. It doesn't really smell malty either. What does it smell like then? Well, I'm not entirely sure but whatever it is it's not appealing to my senses, that's for sure. Not only do I suspect hop extracts but I also suspect adjuncts for the malt too. This isn't promising in the least...

The taste isn't bad but, come to think, it isn't much of anything really. It certainly doesn't have the nice, freshly toasted bread taste or floral, grassy hoppiness that it should. Then again, it doesn't have as much of the stale grains and syrupy corn adjuncts that I expected it might. All things considered, it drinks about on par with most domestic macro offerings.

There is little bitterness but even less malt or hops. This is such a shame considering the Czech Pilsner style typically showcases so much of both of those things. What I would like and I feel is only reasonable to expect: sweet malts and a subtle but crisp and spicy hoppiness. What I get: cotton-mouth resulting from cheap adjuncts.

Chances are if you've ever had a beer then you've tried a Czech inspired pilsner. Their clean complexion, quenching light body and zesty hop profile converted an entire planet of beer drinkers onto lagers. It's too bad that so many macro breweries (apparently Czech ones included) have bastardized the style and exposed so many to such poor renditions.

Serving type: can

02-20-2009 22:43:06 | More by biegaman

CampusCrew

Florida

3.78/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

I loved in Czech for 6 months and I would have to say this was one of my favorites. Most of Americans didn't like it as much and opted for the less pungent Gambrinus. Great example of a fine Pilsner. I tried back in the US and I would have to say it's not the same. But, still a great beer.

Serving type: on-tap

10-13-2008 18:36:42 | More by CampusCrew

Ralphus

Ontario (Canada)

2.98/5  rDev -9.4%
look: 2.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Kozel is a popular Czech brand of Velkopopovicky, which is owned by Plzensky Prazdroj, a subsidiary of SABMiller. SABMiller is best known for it's flagships Miller and Pilsner Urquel but has grown this beers' market share considerably, making inroads in Russia and Finland and distributing it to 23 other countries world wide. My canned sample from the LCBO is marked for expiration 5 months from now so it's probably not very representative of it at its best.

Kozel is a shade or two darker than your typical lager right from the pour. While noticeable it's not distracting. The head is substantial but dull white and recedes quickly leaving next to no lacing. A steady stream of micro bubbles work their way to the top leaving the faintest reminder of the head you poured moments ago.

Smell-wise it could be better. Straw and hay lightly malted together, but only if you really breathe it in. The taste is a decent balance of malt and hops but with a pronounced and sometimes jarring metallic aftertaste. You'll finish your drink but in the beginning you might think twice about ordering a second.

As another reviewer mentioned there is some creaminess in the mouthfeel. It's a little odd in the beginning because something isn't quite right about it. Probably more carbonation than real creaminess, however towards the end you hardly realize it's there.

Drinkability is just OK. The strange looking goat / rooster creature on the label seems quite proud of it but I'm not sure you will be.

Serving type: can

08-16-2008 00:59:41 | More by Ralphus

seanyfo

United Kingdom (Scotland)

3.03/5  rDev -7.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

50CL Bottle poured into imperial pint glass

A- Golden blonde, creamy 2 finger head, that has moderate retention and some nice lacing

S- Not a lot, some faint grassy malts.

T- Some bready malt in the beginning changing to an inoffensive faint hop bite in the finish. Finish is creamy, which i think is supposed to be a hallmark of czech pilsener?

M- Medium body and carbonation.

D- Not enough hops, too bland, but i think im right in saying the creamy texture in the finish is supposed to be there, so that makes up slightly for it. Nevertheless, better pilseners out there! Next!

Serving type: bottle

03-23-2008 17:06:49 | More by seanyfo

Antilochus

Ontario (Canada)

3.78/5  rDev +14.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Appearance is deep golden yellow, crystal clear. Sudsy white head that sinks down slowly. Lots of small streaming bubbles. Looks like a lacemaker.

Grainy and grassy nose. Refined sugar, green apples, butterscotch, diacetyl, sourdough. Straightforward and nothing off here.

Bit of a salty, mineral palate... this is very obvious and a flaw. Buttery, biscuity sweet malt. Candied fruits. Light hop bitterness. Limited spiciness. Subtle herbal finish. Refreshing aggressive carbonation and medium body.

I think this is a fairly tasty and accurate example of of simple style.

Serving type: can

02-24-2008 05:01:27 | More by Antilochus

brendan13

Australia

3.28/5  rDev -0.3%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

A - Slightly hazy, deep golden colour poured into a DAB stein with a fluffy inch of white head that slowly falls away.
S - Slightly sweet grainy malt aroma with touches of grassiness.
T - Very much like the smell but even a touch more grainy.
M - Medium bodied mouthfeel with a fairly low carbonation for the style.
D - Not the most interesting beer but a good one nonetheless. Pretty good value too at $2.99AUS for a 500ml bottle

Serving type: bottle

11-29-2007 09:21:43 | More by brendan13

cyrenaica

Ontario (Canada)

3.85/5  rDev +17%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

I tried this beer after purchasing at my local LCBO store. It poured a somwehat cloudy gold colour, not translucent. The aroma was strong and malty with some grainy tones. It is slightly thick on the tongue with very little carbonation. The taste is slightly malty with a toasty aftertaste. This is another Czech beer I would have no problem trying again.

Serving type: can

07-01-2007 04:08:12 | More by cyrenaica

MTNboy

Missouri

3.85/5  rDev +17%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

As with most Czech beers this one is great. I still think Czech beers are under rated and this one is definitely worth trying and it has a reasonable price.

Appearance- A little on the darker side of gold with just less than two fingers of head. It also leaves a little lace.

Smell- Average pilsner scent.

Taste- This beer has a little of a hay or grainy taste but to me that is a good thing. It lets you know that the beer is natural.

Mouthfeel. Light bodied with a balanced carbonation.

Drinkability- An easy drinking beer.

Serving type: can

06-23-2007 14:56:56 | More by MTNboy

vancurly

Australia

3.25/5  rDev -1.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5

Pale gold, heavy, white rocky head, good bubbling.
Restrained nose...some hay & caramel hints.
Malt & hop well balanced.... Slight metallic/blood flavour.
Medium bitterness and body. Finishes crisply, and not cloying. Quite refreshing, but nothing remarkable.

Serving type: bottle

05-31-2007 06:59:35 | More by vancurly

bark

Sweden

4.22/5  rDev +28.3%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 5

This autumn, I bought some 100 cans of this beer. Why haven't I reviewed it yeat?

The colour is gold; the two finger head is compact at the top, airy underneath. It sinks down very slowly leaving lots of lacing.

The smell got a bitter, almost metallic note. There are some fine bread-like notes of fresh malt and a chemical hint of diacetyl and bitter herbs. If it would have been just a little bit stronger, it would have received the highest mark!

The first taste is malty with some gentle sweet flavours. Then, buttery notes of diacetyl emerge together with some dough/bread/flour (maybe a hint of yeast too). The aftertaste is balanced with minerals, butter/margarine and an elegant fresh bitterness that fades away slowly.

The carbonation is medium strong and very refreshing; medium sized bubbles.

A good example of an underrated style. There might me a lot of more complex ones, but a Czech Pilsener should be straightforward.

Serving type: can

02-27-2007 20:43:17 | More by bark

northyorksammy

Ontario (Canada)

2.53/5  rDev -23.1%
look: 3 | smell: 2.5 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Not much of a pilsner. Sweet with a lot of foam, Ok mouthfeel but on the light side. A bit of bitter grassy hops. Drinkable because its not offensive, but only got me through as nothing else worth drinking.Nothing in aroma past the malt for me. A macro version of a Czech beer.

Serving type: can

10-16-2006 00:58:04 | More by northyorksammy

jarmby1711

Australia

3.48/5  rDev +5.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5

Pours reasonably dark amber for a Pilsener.It attained and maintained a good frothy head with an adequate bead and lace
The smell and flavour were nothing remarkable tending to the sour side by the third bottle .
Tried chilling one right down and it was a better drink for doing so.
There are plenty of biscuity malts and not a lot else in this beer.
Pleasnat and drinkable especially as the days become longer and warmer

Serving type: bottle

10-06-2006 01:01:35 | More by jarmby1711

Phyl21ca

Quebec (Canada)

2.1/5  rDev -36.2%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2 | feel: 2 | overall: 2

Can: Poured a yellowish color pilsner with a big white foamy head with good retention. Aroma of what seems like corn and adjunct is quite surprising since I didn’t though Czech brewery were using those ingredient. Taste is also bland with very little malt and no hops at all. Overall, I was quite disappointed with this one and was expecting closer to Pilsner Urquell then this.

Serving type: can

09-05-2006 14:26:21 | More by Phyl21ca

CrazyMike

Alberta (Canada)

3.68/5  rDev +11.9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 3

Golden yellow appearance with a thick head. The smell is sweet and a bit fruity and grainy.

The taste is thick and grainy. Definatly malty with grassy hops. Aftertaste is slightly bitter and a bit light bodied (most likely from the can).

Smooth beer, tasty and refreshing. Not an outstanding Pilsner but definatly respectable.

Serving type: can

08-24-2006 22:29:17 | More by CrazyMike

3Vandoo

Quebec (Canada)

3/5  rDev -8.8%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3

Fuzzy little head, shy shy was thy head! All this over a pale yellow beer with appear to be quite boring and lifeless.

Smell is hoppy, watery and cerealic, nothing much, nothing to brag about, a fair normal macro lager.

Taste is crisp, hoppy, with good floral hops that comes to play with a great ceralic flavour and taste.

Serving type: can

08-19-2006 07:39:22 | More by 3Vandoo

CharlesDarwin

Rhode Island

3.63/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Originally reviewed February 19, 2005. 12 Oz Bottle. Appealing golden-tan pour. Coarse carbonation, uneven lacing. Fresh cotton and malt aroma. Supple lager, great fresh malt, nicely balanced and swirled with hops. Light citrus and complex grain finish. Sweet, yet a little dry. Sustains on the palate. Very drinkable and smooth!

Serving type: bottle

07-23-2006 15:04:30 | More by CharlesDarwin

ernie

Russian Federation

4.47/5  rDev +35.9%
look: 4 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 5

Pale golden color, medium carbonation level, medium long-lasting creamy head.

Aroma herbal, floral, hoppy - an exciting one.

Start fresh, malty, not sweetish in any damn way. Body firm and round, with an exceptional balance of malts and hops. Mouthfeel smooth and delightful. Finish herbal and hoppy, with some acidity, aftertaste malty, long, heavenly.

Great beer from a great brewery. A must in Eastern Europe! Bottled version close, but no cigar...

Serving type: on-tap

06-20-2006 15:50:33 | More by ernie

weeare138

Pennsylvania

2.85/5  rDev -13.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5

Appears a light gold with a small white film that is scattered about the glass.
Smell is of corn syrup, flowers, honey, and slight maltiness.
Taste is of the same aromas. Nothing great jumping out of this.
Mouthfeel is sugary water with slight fizz.
Drinkability…nothing great…what’s the point of the yeast in this one? It’s just like diluted sugar water.

Serving type: bottle

03-31-2006 23:12:15 | More by weeare138