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Velkopopovický Kozel is the most famous brand of Czech beer. It is produced at the facilities of two factories – Velkopopovicky pivovar (Velke Popovice) and Plzeňský Prazdroj (Pilsen), which are part of Plzeňský Prazdroj, as. In December 2016, the rights to the trademark were transferred to the Japanese brewing company Asahi Breweries.
The history of the brewery, named after the place where it is located, goes back to the 1870th century. However, the most successful period for the company began in 1874, when it was acquired by a successful entrepreneur, Baron Frantisek Ringhoffer II. He rebuilt the brewery, purchased modern equipment, set up a pension fund for factory workers. The first batch of beer was brewed in XNUMX – this date still adorns every bottle and can of Kozel beer.
The name of the brand arose from the desire of Emmanuel Ringhoffer, who inherited the brewery, to stand out from the competition. In Wielka Popovice, a stronger, darker beer was introduced, which bore the regional name Kozel. According to legend, the label for beer was painted by a French artist who wandered into these parts in search of a beautiful nature. He was fascinated by the magnificence of nature and the kindness of the locals, and gave them such a gift.
The period of the new history of the brewery began in 1991, when the plant became an open joint stock company. Since 2002, the British beer giant SABMiller has received the rights to the brand. In 2016, before the corporation was taken over by its main competitor Anheuser-Busсh InBev, it sold its business in the Czech Republic to Japanese manufacturer Asahi Breweries.
Awards
World Beer Championships, Chicago:
- 1999 – Gold (Velkopopovický kozel Premium) medal.
World Beer Cup, США:
- 2004 – Золотая (Velkopopovický Kozel Premium) и серебряная (Velkopopovický Kozel výčepní světlý) medals;
- 2010 – Bronze (Velkopopovický kozel Premium) medal;
- 2014 – Silver (Velkopopovický Kozel 11°) medal.
Beer festival, Helsinki:
- 1997 – Gold (Velkopopovický kozel Premium) medal;
- 2005 – Gold (Velkopopovický kozel Medium) medal.
Czech Beer of the Year:
- 2010 – Gold (Velkopopovický kozel Premium) and silver (Velkopopovický Kozel Medium) medals;
- 2012 – Gold (Velkopopovický Kozel 11°) medal.
Australian International Beer Awards, Балларет:
- 2008 – silver (Velkopopovický kozel Tmave) and 2 bronze (Velkopopovický kozel Medium), Velkopopovický kozel Premium) medals;
- 2010 – 3 серебряные (Velkopopovický Kozel Medium, Velkopopovický Kozel Premium, Velkopopovický Kozel Dark) medals;
- 2011 – 2 Серебряные (Velkopopovický kozel Premium, Velkopopovický kozel Medium) medals;
- 2017 – Trophy main prize, gold medal and title of “Best Beer” (Velkopopovický kozel Dark), bronze (Velkopopovický kozel Premium) medal.
International Brewing Awards, Лондон:
- 2017 – Gold (Velkopopovický Kozel Dark) medal.
Interesting Facts
Since 1938, the brewery has maintained the tradition of live mascots – it goes without saying that the goat is the company’s mascot. The first horned “employee” was an animal the size of a good calf and with long wavy hair. Everyone had to take care of it in turn, but most of all the goat became attached to the beer pourer Oldrich Lenz, in whose honor he received the name Olda. The nickname began to be inherited by each new pet taking over the talisman. Currently, Old Yard is regularly serving at the brewery.
How to “cut” the beer “Velkopopovitsky Kozel”
For those who cannot decide whether to prefer light Kozel beer to dark beer or vice versa, the Czechs advise trying cut beer. To do this, both types of drink are poured into the glass in layers, and the secret of skill lies in the fact that the layers do not mix. It is not easy to master this science right off the bat, and beginners can simply experiment with mixes, empirically selecting the optimal balance of tastes. More sophisticated connoisseurs are able to create a “rezak” with a clear border – for this, only the firmness of the hand, patience and the usual dessert spoon are needed.
First, the glass is filled with beer with a higher density (for other brands it is usually light, but in the case of Kozel, on the contrary, it is dark). After a short pause, they begin to pour light beer in a thin stream onto the convex part of the spoon, which is pressed against the inner wall of the container. Due to the difference in density between the varieties, the top beer lays in a neat layer on top of the bottom beer (it is recommended to cool it more).
Types of beer Velkopopovitsky goat
Velkopopovický kozel Černý (Dark), 3,8%
The most famous Czech dark beer that has lost count of its awards at international and national competitions. Caramelized malt gives the drink a ruby-brown hue and a sweetish aroma. In a bright fruity bouquet, notes of blackcurrant and cherry are felt, as well as caramel, chocolate and cashew nuts, seasoned with a spicy curry with a pinch of ginger. On the palate, delicate sweetness and pleasant bitterness are manifested, which are perfectly balanced. Gastronomic accompaniment may consist of brisket on ribs, fried Nuremberg sausages, talian with horseradish sauce.
Velkopopovický kozel Světlý (Pale), 4,0%
A classic light beer whose popularity is confirmed by numerous victories both at the main national competition České pivo and at international brewing competitions. The highest manifestation of national and international love for this drink is the noisy beer festival “Day of the Goat”, which is celebrated in June in the Czech village of Velke Popovice. On this day, merry competitions of innkeepers are held, and drinking beer is accompanied by the serving of national snacks. Beer is characterized by a light golden color with a pronounced “spark”, high foam does not fall off for a long time. Very fresh, rich aroma of meadow herbs and honey. Bright fruity taste with a transition to pineapple, citrus and mango is complemented by light notes of hops.
Velkopopovický Kozel 11 °, 4,6%
Beer rich golden color, with a high “crown” of lush foam. It is a standard pale “bed” (ležàk), brewed using three types of Czech barley malt, with an initial must gravity of 11-12%. For this variety, a particularly aromatic hop of the Sladek variety, grown in the Zatec region, is used. The bouquet harmoniously combines notes of wild flowers, grain, warm apple pie. Spicy hops join the malty, slightly sweetish taste, so that later, when the glass warms up slightly, it mixes with nutty tones. When choosing snacks for beer, you should pay attention to chicken nuggets, smoked salmon, marinated hermelin cheese.
Velkopopovický Kozel Premium, 4,8%
Premium quality beer, awarded the “gold” at the world’s most significant competitions World Beer Championships and World Beer Cup. It is brewed according to the original old recipe, using Moravian malts and Saaz hops. Lager poured into a glass forms a dense, pearly foam cap, with tiny bubbles. The aroma is thick, sweetish, reminiscent of the smell of a homemade yeast dough pie. On the palate, the beer is round, full-bodied, slightly “grainy” on the tongue, with a subtle citrus note. It is easy to drink, unobtrusive hop bitterness appears already in the aftertaste. As an appetizer, game pate, guacamole, smoked turkey are suitable. Before serving, it is recommended to cool to 6-8 °C.
Velkopopovický Kozel Bohaty Hops, 4,7%
New in 2017, limited edition. In Russia, beer is produced under license at the Efes Rus plant in Kaluga. The mild flavor of this lager is determined by the late hopping and the special yeast used in the production process. This technology allows you to save a large amount of aromatic essential oils in the wort without adding excessive bitterness to the taste of the drink. The bouquet is dominated by fragrant hops and notes of sun-warmed hay. The taste is refreshing and invigorating, yeast gives a slight sourness. In the long aftertaste, you can feel the tones of hops and honey biscuit in a harmonious proportion. It is bottled in green cans with a recognizable brand symbol – a goat.
