It’s easy to overlook tmavé pivo, the Czech Republic’s other beer style. Long overshadowed by the world-famous pale lagers—or pilsners—that originated in the Czech city of Pilsen, the dark and rich tmavé pivo is obscure both literally and figuratively—a relative rarity that accounts for less than 3.5 percent of total Czech beer production today.
Yet, especially as craft brewers continue their love affair with lager in all its forms, the seldom-seen, not-quite-black lager with the strange name is starting to earn more fans outside its homeland.
So, what is it exactly?