Budvar allows rare unpasteurised lager into UK
Czech brewery Budvar's rare unpasteurised lager is to come to the UK after the brewer decided to allow it to be sold outside of the Czech Republic for the first time.
But the beer will only be available in four batches each year - and only then to outlets that have been certificated by Budvar - because the beer has a short shelf life and needs considerable expertise to keep it in good condition. The beer has a life of only four weeks, has to be left stored in situ for at least six hours prior to tapping at a temperature of 3°C to 5°C and dispense requires high standards of line cleanliness and hygiene.
Previously Budvar's unpasteurised lager was available only at the Budvar brewery in the Czech Republic and at 50 outlets in and around its home country.
It will now be stocked in the UK but just five venues have gained a certificate to serve it - the three Draft House pubs in London, owned by Charlie McVeigh, as well as the White Horse in Parsons Green and the Porterhouse in Covent Garden.
The raw materials and the brewing process for the 5% abv yeast beer are the same as for original Budvar, except yeast cells are added after its 100-day maturation.
Pictured: Budvar UK sales director Joe Laventure, Draft House owner Charlie McVeigh and beer writer Roger Protz at the launch of Budvar's Unpasteurised lager in the UK at the Draft House Tower Bridge yesterday.
By Neil Gerrard
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