Czech Mates – Thornbridge Brewery
Classic. Crisp. Collaborative.

🍺 Beer Overview

Czech Mates is a 4.8% Czech-style lager from Thornbridge Brewery, brewed in collaboration with Budvar, the national brewery of the Czech Republic. Combining Budvar’s heritage and expertise with Thornbridge’s focus on quality and innovation, this beer brings together tradition and modern craft.

Brewed using Budvar’s traditional decoction method and British ingredients, it delivers a clean, crisp profile with depth and balance. A true meeting of brewing cultures, this is a lager that respects tradition while adding a subtle UK twist.

👉 Cold stored at The Malt Miller to maintain freshness and keep this lager tasting crisp and vibrant.

🌟 What Makes It Special

• Collaboration with Budvar, the Czech national brewery
• Brewed using traditional decoction mashing
• Combines Czech lager heritage with British ingredients
• Clean, crisp and highly drinkable

🍞 Flavour Profile

Taste: Soft bready malt with light caramel sweetness and gentle bitterness
Mouthfeel: Smooth, clean and medium-light bodied
Finish: Crisp, refreshing and balanced

👃 Aroma

Delicate malt sweetness with subtle floral and herbal hop notes.

🔬 Brewing Insight

Czech Mates blends traditional Czech brewing with British ingredients:

• Decoction mash: Builds malt depth and authenticity
• Malts: Low Colour Maris Otter, Crystal and T50 for balance and subtle sweetness
• Goldings hops: Provide gentle bitterness and classic herbal character

The result is a refined lager with both heritage and drinkability.

🍽 Serving & Food Pairing

Serve at: 4–6°C in a lager or pilsner glass

Perfect with:

• Roast pork
• Sausages
• Fried food
• Cheese
• Salty snacks

📊 Beer Specs

• ABV: 4.8%
• Style: Czech-Style Lager
• Volume: 440ml Can
• Malts: Low Colour Maris Otter, Crystal, T50
• Hops: Goldings

Often described as the godfather of the UK craft beer scene, Thornbridge have always brewed the finest quality beer with a passion helping to create an award winning range of beers.

• Innovation

  Consistently pushing boundaries whilst respecting the important traditions of ‘Crafting’ beer helps Thornbridge to create an award winning range of beers and always meant we would be at the forefront of the craft beer industry

• Passion

  Often described as the godfather of the UK craft beer scene, Thornbridge have always brewed the finest quality beer with a passion helping to create an award winning range of beers

• Knowledge

  Thornbridge knowledge in the craft beer scene means they are highly respected within the beer industry. Thornbridge recognise that not only quality but consistency and innovation are key to creating amazing and beautifully balanced beer. With over 350 Industry recognised awards we are proud to be part of such an exciting UK Craft Beer scene.

The Thornbridge story began back in 2005 when the founders Jim Harrison and Simon Webster recruited two young brewers to brew on a second hand 10-barrel kit in the grounds of Thornbridge Hall

The brewery was originally based in the outbuildings of Thornbridge Hall, surrounded by beautiful gardens within the 100-acre estate. The buildings were renovated in 2004 in preparation for the brewery installation. Jim Harrison and Simon Webster recruited two young brewers, keen to kick-start their brewing career. Their first brew was Lord Marples, a 4% classic bitter, which went on to become a core Thornbridge beer

Next, they were tasked with brewing something a little different, an IPA which packed a punch in terms of both flavour and ABV. In mid-2005 Jaipur was born. A 5.9% IPA packed with American hops and like nothing else in the beer industry at that time. Following an array of awards and national recognition, Jaipur catapulted Thornbridge into the spotlight, demand outstripped supply and the need for a new Brewery became clear.

In 2009 a brand new state of the art brewery was built at Riverside, Bakewell to meet with demand and allow Thornbridge to develop their range of beers. Brewing still takes place today on the original kit which has been moved to beside the Taproom at Riverside, which allows us to experiment with new brews, create bespoke Hall brews, collaborations and assist the main brewery in Bakewell.

All beer from Indie Beer Fridge is individually selected from the finest breweries, we work closely with the breweries to bring you beer and brewing knowledge, be sure to check out our YouTube channel for exclusive content about many of the breweries we select.

All beer is cold stored to ensure you get the best quality beer delivered to you and so you get to enjoy the beer as the brewer intended.