Budweiser Budvar launches unpasteurised lager in the UK

Budweiser Budvar has made its unpasteurised lager available in the UK - the first time it has been distributed outside of the Czech Republic.

The Czech brewer describes the yeast beer as the ' jewel in the Budvar crown'. Due to its short shelf life and stringent conditions needed to keep the beer in good condition, it will only be available four times a year and only to pubs that have been vetted by Budvar.

It has been launched in just five London pubs; the Draft House in Clapham, Battersea and Tower Bridge, the White Horse in Parsons Green and the Porterhouse in Covent Garden. Previously, the beer has only made rare appearances at the Great British Beer Festival and at the White Horse.

Joe Laventure, sales director of Budvar UK, said: "This is a beer that is very sought after. It took the Czech's some persuading to get it over here. Even in the Czech Republic, distribution is very limited. Bars have to apply and be vetted. The same process applies to the UK. The beer will not be available to everybody."

The beer has a shelf life of four weeks and must be stored upright in situ for at least six hours prior to tapping at a temperature of 3°C to 5°C.

Distribution will further be restricted to existing Budvar Original draught customers. "If we are bringing a good thing in, they deserve priority," said Laventure.

The unpasteurised 5 per cent ABV lager is produced using the same method as Budvar Original, except yeast cells are added at the end of its 100 day maturation period. Pasteurised beer undergoes exposure to high temperatures to kill off microorganisms that can sour the beer. This affects the taste.

Speaking at the launch, beer writer Roger Protz said: "We are now getting close to a real ale version of lager, how it was 100 years ago. We are tasting tradition and defending the traditional way of making lager beer."