Budvar (and known as Czechvar in the U.S.) is an instantly recognizable brand throughout the world. Distributed to 70 countries, Budvar brews its classic Czech pale lager for the world to enjoy. What seems to be a very simple style can be a very complex process and Budvar takes their approach to innovation (as well as MANY nods to traditional brewing practices like decoction mashing) very seriously.

On this episode of the All About Beer podcast, we take a deep dive into all things Budvar with their Deputy Brewmaster, Petr Kosin about how Budvar goes from Czech ingredients to your local shop. And Kosin answers the question everyone wants to know: should there be diacetyl in your Czech lager?

Listen to the whole conversation where you download podcasts including Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon, and Overcast.

For original articles or to read the vast archives check out All About Beer.  Follow us on Instagram and Threads @allaboutbeer. Support our journalism by visiting our Patreon Page.

This episode is sponsored by:


Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, where trailblazing runs in the family. From crafting a movement with their iconic Pale Ale, to taking the IPA haze craze nationwide with Hazy Little Thing – it’s an adventurous spirit you can taste in every sip. Find your next favorite beer wherever fine beverages are sold. With new brews for every season, there’s always something to discover. Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. Still Family-Owned, Operated & Argued Over.


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Em Sauter
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Em Sauter is an Advanced Cicerone®, cartoonist, author, beer reviewer, international beer judge and public speaker who runs the award winning website Pints and Panels, which focuses on visual beer education. Her first book "Beer is for Everyone! (of Drinking Age)" was published in 2017 by One Peace Books. Her second book "Hooray for Craft Beer!" was released in April 2022 with Brewers Publications. Em is also co-host of the All About Beer Podcast. She lives in New England with her husband Matt and two cats- Milbo and The Geen.

tse
Don Tse

Living near seven malthouses, Don Tse is a freelance beer and malt writer and consultant known globally as The Don of Beer. He has been active in craft beer for over 25 years and has famously sampled and written tasting notes on almost 27,000 different beers. He is the co-host of the All About Beer podcast. Don has also written for magazines and presented on beer in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ukraine and Singapore.  Nobody in those countries thinks his jokes are funny.