Beers I really miss, part 2: Branik 12º Dark

I was lucky enough to visit Prague a few times in the mid-1980s. Before capitalism returned and fucked everything up.

The pubs were wonderful. Multi-roomed and very atmospheric. There was only one negative feature: most only sold one draught beer. Every now and then, I'd come across a pub with Staropramen 10º and 12º on tap. But that was about it as far as multi-tap pubs went.

A downside to this was that most pubs opted for a Pale Lager. Either 10º or 12º. I was told that in earlier times, most pubs had served both Pale and Dark Lager. WHen pubs switched to a single draught beer, it was the dark one tghat was axed.

Other than in brewpub U Fleku, draught Dark Lager was pretty rare in Prague. But there was one little place, in the Old Town close to Charles Bridge, that had Branik 12º Dark Lager on draught. What a great place to find by chance.

Because that beer was wonderful. The classic Prague Dark Lager. Not too sweet, full and well-balanced. In short, a great drinking beer.  Inviting gulp after gulp, pint after pint.

Then back came capitalism. All the Prague breweries were sold off as a job lot. And came into the hands of Bass Charrington. It was obvious most of the breweries would close. I think only Staropramen remains of the four or five breweries.

The Branik brand lives on, but 12º Dark was dropped years ago. Even while the brewery was still open. A sad loss, as far as I'm concerned. It wasn't the fanciest of beers. Just a reliable, tasty, everyday drink. The type of beer that should be treasured, but seldom is.