Beerpedia

His majesty Saaz, the main ingredient of Staropramen, is one of the only four noble hop varieties in the world.

Hops are to beer what spices are to food. They give the beer a distinct character and are so powerful that they can shift the beer flavor in any desired direction so the taste centers in our body are fully pleased. The world of hops offers a wide range of different aromas, from the fruity and citrusy ones, that are common for the hops of the New World, to the more earthy flavors of the ones nurtured in Europe.

 Nowadays, there are more than eighty hop varieties available. The vast majority of them are bred while very few hops claim to be noble hops - naturally grown traditional European varieties. In fact, only four varieties are referred to as noble hops: the three German hops - Hallertauer, Tettnanger and Spalt - and one Bohemian variety that is grown in the city of Žatec - Saaz. 

Hallertauer hops come from the region of Hallertauer, north of Munich and are known for a floral and spicy aroma favored in many German Pilsner beers. Tettnanger hops, originating from the town of Tettnang, bring a fruity note to beer to go along with the spicy taste. Spalt hops are more on the spicy side, similar to Tettnanger. All three of these hops can be found in various German lager and wheat beers, as well as many other beer varieties.

Staropramen brewers love the hop harvest season.

Saaz, the key ingredient of Staropramen lager, is a product of the dark red soil of Bohemia. The region itself is unique because the area around Žatec is protected by mountains that help create the so-called rain shadow. This causes a lower annual rainfall volume that is great for hop growth. Great soil and special climate conditions create a favorable environment for the cultivation of this aromatic beauty. Saaz is one of the most respected hops in history, not only because of its noble origin but because it is the hop that defined an entire style of beer, the Czech lager.  It is estimated that Saaz alone accounts for 2/3 of hop production in the Czech Republic. 

Just like its noble German brothers, Saaz is characterized by low alpha bitterness, which means it is highly aromatic. The flavor it imparts is distinctively earthy and spicy, which is perfect for brewing crispy Czech lagers.

Because of its noble origin, unique characteristics and great aroma, Saaz has been used for centuries in Czech breweries. Thanks to the popularity of Czech beer, Saaz became popular all over the world, even though many drinkers are probably not aware of its existence or its special aromatic power.