Lučan

Its holiday season here in the UK and in my ventures to get some late sun action, I jetted off to The Algarve, Portugal. Whilst in the departure lounge at Gatwick I stumbled across Lučan (4.3% abv) an award winning Czech pilsner. This beer is really, really good even though it has been pasteurized. The beer is so good in fact that it was awarded "Best Beer" of the Czech Republic at the the Budweis beer competition in 2005.

The beer is deep amber in colour, maybe slightly darker than Budvar or Urquell and is not quite as bitter, but has a unique smokiness which goes well. The biggest problem is that it is only available at Weatherspoons pubs, so unless you like poor service and socialising with the great unwashed socially inept, pee smelling members of society its going to be a tough beer to drink!

Also as a surprise, my flight was actually early so I had to leave to get to the gate shortly after starting my pint. Never fear! I necked it pronto before joining the mad scramble to actually get a seat next to my wife on our EasyJet flight. Don't get me started on them!