Bohemia Regent Knize Special Bock

Bock may be a German word, but this strong lager speaks fluent Czech. The malt character is rich and rounded, bringing notes of bread, caramel and a hint of dried fruit, yet the colour stays closer to burnished gold than brooding dark. Extended maturation smooths it out, while a late addition of Kazbek hops lends a subtle citrus lift. The result is generous in flavour but still carries the balance and drinkability that mark it out as unmistakably Czech.

Bohemia Regent Brewery, founded in 1379, is one of the world's oldest, still brewing on the same site in the charming town of Trebon, South Bohemia. The brewery itself, with its 17th-century architecture, is a quite a historical gem and beneath it lies a maze of tunnels where beer still matures in oak barrels. Ancient though they may be, they're also firmly in the 21st Century and their beers reflect that - a blend of heritage and innovation.