Chodovar Prezident 500ML

Chodovar Prezident 500ML is a 5.0% ABV Bohemian-style premium pilsner lager from the Czech Republic, brewed and lagered in 800-year-old granite cellars. Winner of the Prize of Czech Brewers in 2002, this bottom-fermented lager represents one of the more distinctive examples of the Czech 12° pale lager tradition, shaped by house-malted barley and exceptionally soft local water.
Quick Facts: ABV: 5.0%  |  Origin: Chodová Planá, Czech Republic  |  Style: Bohemian Pilsner (12° Lager)  |  Brewery: Chodovar
Production & Heritage
Chodovar Brewery operates in the western Bohemian town of Chodová Planá, where brewing has been documented for centuries. What separates Chodovar from most Czech breweries is its self-sufficiency in malting: the brewery produces approximately 1,700 tons of malted barley annually in its own floor malting house, a labor-intensive traditional method that gives the brewery full control over grain character. Prezident is bottom-fermented and matured in the brewery’s celebrated granite rock cellars, carved some 800 years ago, where naturally low-mineral water drawn from the surrounding granite geology contributes to the beer’s clean, soft mouthfeel.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Light cereal grain leads the nose, followed by subtle yeast and a gentle grassiness from Saaz hops. There is a distinct impression of fresh bread and a faint floral lift.
Taste: The entry is malty and smooth, with a grainy, bread-like sweetness at the center of the palate. Mid-palate, the malt character deepens with a dry edge, while the Saaz hops introduce grassy and floral tones that stay restrained rather than assertive.
Finish: The finish is moderate in length, clean and dry, with hop bitterness arriving only at the close. A lingering cereal note keeps the final impression balanced rather than sharp.
How to Drink Chodovar Prezident
Serve chilled at 5–7°C (41–45°F) in a traditional Czech half-liter glass or pilsner flute to appreciate the golden color and persistent white foam crown. This is a straightforward drinking beer best enjoyed on its own or alongside food rather than mixed into cocktails. That said, its malty backbone makes it a natural fit for a Shandy with fresh lemonade on warm days, a Michelada where the grain sweetness tempers lime and hot sauce, or a Black Velvet variation layered with stout for textural contrast.
Best For
Exploring traditional Czech pilsners beyond mass-market brands
Pairing with hearty Central European cuisine
Introducing beer enthusiasts to floor-malted, cellar-lagered lagers
Casual gatherings where an approachable yet distinctive lager is called for
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Chodovar Prezident taste like? Chodovar Prezident is a malty, grain-forward Bohemian pilsner with flavors of fresh bread, dry cereal, and restrained grassy-floral Saaz hop bitterness that emerges primarily in the finish.
How does Chodovar Prezident compare to Pilsner Urquell? Pilsner Urquell tends to deliver more pronounced hop bitterness and a crisper bite, while Chodovar Prezident leans toward a softer, maltier profile with less aggressive hopping. Both are Czech 12° lagers, but Prezident reflects the influence of its granite-filtered water and house-malted grain.
Is Chodovar Prezident good for someone new to Czech beer? Yes — its smooth, malty character and mild bitterness make it an accessible entry point into Bohemian-style lagers without overwhelming hop intensity.
Where is Chodovar Prezident made? Chodovar Prezident is brewed at the Chodovar Brewery in Chodová Planá, a small town in the western Bohemia region of the Czech Republic known for its granite rock formations and mineral-soft water.
What foods pair well with Chodovar Prezident? Roast pork with bread dumplings and sauerkraut (a classic Czech combination), grilled sausages such as klobása for their smoky-savory contrast, schnitzel where the beer’s carbonation cuts through the fried coating, aged Gouda or Emmental for their nutty richness alongside the malt, and freshly baked pretzels which echo the bread-like grain character.
What sizes does Chodovar Prezident come in? The standard format is the 500ML bottle, consistent with the traditional Czech half-liter serving size.
Is Chodovar Prezident worth the price? Chodovar Prezident sits in the affordable import lager tier, yet its floor-malted barley and granite-cellar lagering give it a craft pedigree that most beers at a similar price point cannot match, making it strong value for anyone interested in authentic Czech brewing.
Why Chodovar Prezident?
The defining edge of Chodovar Prezident is provenance-driven flavor: house floor-malted barley, naturally soft granite-rock water, and maturation in cellars that predate most European breweries still in operation. These are not marketing claims but tangible production steps that directly shape the beer’s smooth, bread-rich character. Recognized with the Prize of Czech Brewers in 2002, it earned distinction among expert evaluators familiar with the country’s deep lager tradition. For drinkers who want a Bohemian pilsner rooted in place and process rather than industrial scale, Prezident delivers a quieter but genuinely crafted alternative to the Czech Republic’s more widely exported names.