Kozel Beer: Is It Available In The Us Market?

Kozel is a popular Czech beer that is available in the United States. It is produced by a brewery in the Czech village of Velké Popovice, which is located near Prague. Kozel offers a range of beers, including Kozel Premium, Kozel Dark, and Kozel Lezak Lager. Kozel beers can be found at various liquor and wine stores, such as Foremost Liquors in Chicago, Giant Wine & Liquor in Ewing Township, New Jersey, and Montgomery County Liquor & Wine. It is also available at Total Wine & More and some Russian or Eastern European grocery stores.

Kozel beer availability in the US

Kozel beer is available in the US, with its website boasting that it is the "world's favourite Czech beer". Kozel has two signature lagers: Kozel Premium and Kozel Dark. The Premium variety is made with three selected malts and the aromatic Czech hop Premiant, resulting in a well-balanced taste, welcome bitterness, and full body. The Dark variety is a deliciously light dark lager with a smooth texture, unique colour, and caramel taste created by four different malts.

Kozel beer can be purchased at various locations across the US. For instance, Kozel Premium Lager is available at Giant Wine & Liquor in Ewing Township, NJ, and Foremost Liquors in Chicago, IL. Kozel beer can also be found at some "Russian" or "Eastern European" grocery stores in the US, as well as at the Liquor Board of Ontario if you're willing to cross the border from Michigan to Windsor. Additionally, Kozel Lezak Lager 4-packs are available for pickup at Total Wine & More in South Strip, NV.

While Kozel beer is available in the US, specific varieties and pack sizes may not always be in stock at certain locations. It is always a good idea to check with your local retailers or use online services to search for availability near you.

Kozel beer varieties

Kozel is a Czech beer that has been produced in the village of Velké Popovice, 25 km southeast of Prague, since 1874. The brand's symbol is a goat, as "kozel" means "male goat" in Czech. The beer is available in about 30 countries worldwide, including the US, and has won over 100 awards.

Kozel offers a range of beers, including:

• Kozel Premium: Kozel's most popular beer, made with three selected malts and the aromatic Czech hop Premiant for a well-balanced taste, welcome bitterness, and full body. It has an ABV of 4.6%.
• Kozel Dark: A deliciously light dark lager with a smooth texture, unique colour, and caramel taste created by four different malts. It has an ABV of 3.8%.
• Kozel Černý: A dark draught beer with an ABV of 3.8%.
• Kozel Řezaný: A mixture of light and dark lagers with an ABV of 4.6%.
• Kozel Mistrův Ležák: A 12° pale lager with an ABV of 4.8%.
• Kozel Mistrův Tmavý: A dark lager with an ABV of 4.4%.
• Kozel Nealko: A non-alcoholic beer with a maximum ABV of 0.5%.
• Kozel 10: A 10° pale draught beer with an ABV of 4.2%.
• Kozel 11: An 11° pale lager with an ABV of 4.6%.

Kozel beer history

Kozel is a popular Czech beer that has been brewed in the country's village breweries since 1874. The beer's history, however, goes back much further. The inhabitants of Velké Popovice, a town 25 km southeast of Prague, have been brewing flavoured alcohol since the 14th century. The distillery was founded in 1870 by Baron Francis Ringhoffer, and the first batch of Kozel beer was produced four years later.

The name Kozel, which means "male goat" in Czech, and its emblem are linked to the period after the First World War. At that time, a dark beer was called "bock", which is "goat" in German. Kozel founder Emanuel Ringhoffer wanted to distinguish his brewery from competitors, so he started brewing a strong, dark beer in Velké Popovice, locally known as kozel.

According to legend, a wandering French artist took part in creating the logo. Impressed by the locals' hospitality, he presented the village with a drawing of a goat, which became the brewery's symbol. The goat mascot has decorated the label for almost a hundred years. In 1938, a live goat named Olda became the brewery's first mascot. Since the 1970s, all the goats have been named Olda, in honour of Oldrich Lenc, who worked at the brewery and cared for the goat.

The Kozel brewery has a rich history, surviving the First and Second World Wars, nationalisation, and changes in ownership. In 2002, Kozel was acquired by Pilsner Urquell, part of the brewing conglomerate SABMiller. In 2016, it was sold to Asahi Breweries. Today, Kozel is the world's favourite Czech beer, with its signature lagers, Kozel Premium and Kozel Dark, enjoyed by beer lovers worldwide.

Kozel beer taste

Kozel beer is available in the US, and its unique taste has made it the world's favourite Czech beer. The brand offers two signature lagers: Kozel Premium and Kozel Dark, along with other fun beers.

Kozel Premium

Kozel Premium is the most popular Czech beer globally, with a well-balanced taste, a welcome bitterness, and a full body. It is made with three selected malts and the aromatic Czech hop Premiant, with an ABV of 4.6%.

Kozel Dark

Although Kozel Dark may appear heavy and rich, it is actually a deliciously light dark lager with a unique caramel taste and a smooth finish. It is made with four different malts, giving it a ruby red colour, a light hoppy flavour, and a slightly sweet caramel taste. Kozel Dark has an ABV of 3.8%.

Kozel 0.0%

Kozel 0.0% is a non-alcoholic, 100% malt beer with a refreshing taste. It has a distinct semi-dark, bright ruby colour and sweet caramel notes, with gentle bitterness. It has an ABV of 4.7%.

Reviews

Reviews of Kozel beer on Beer Advocate mention the following:

• "Mildly sweet-leaning flavours, with dark malts, toffee and toasted bread leading the way; hints of chocolate and nuttiness crop up shortly thereafter."
• "Sweet, caramel malt aroma. Dark malts dominate the taste with an earthy, roasted edge."
• "Clean, crisp, noticeably carbonated. Overall - excellent Pilsner, as good as any."
• "A little on the sweet side, but it's still easy to like, and even easier to gulp back - a solid autumn session beer, for sure."
• "Quite sweet and malty caramel."

Kozel beer awards

Kozel beer is a popular Czech beer that has won numerous awards both domestically and internationally. The beer is brewed in the village of Velké Popovice near Prague and has a rich history dating back to 1874.

In 2010, Kozel participated in the Australian International Beer Awards competition, which featured over 1170 types of beer from around the world. Kozel emerged as the most successful Czech beer at the competition, with three out of four of its beers receiving medals. This achievement highlighted the quality and balanced flavour of Kozel beers, as recognised by senior brewer Jiří Fusek.

Kozel Dark, in particular, has been a standout, winning seven 'Dark Beer of the Year' awards. This variety has a unique ruby colour, a distinctive dark foam, and a caramel sweetness that makes it a favourite among beer enthusiasts. The dark lager is surprisingly light and smooth, with a delicate balance of sweetness and bitterness.

The Kozel family of beers, including Kozel Premium and Kozel Dark, has collectively won over 100 awards. This impressive feat showcases the consistent excellence of the brand and the dedication of their brewmasters.

While Kozel beer originated in the Czech Republic, it has gained international recognition and is now enjoyed by beer lovers around the world, including in the United States. The brewery's commitment to using first-class ingredients and their dynamic growth in the Czech market and foreign markets have contributed to their success.

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