Now Pouring: The newly refined Dr. Saaz Czech Lager

Some beers are designed to impress with bold flavors. Others earn your appreciation through precision, balance, and restraint.

Our new Dr. Saaz Czech Lager, now on tap at Utara Brewing, is firmly in the second category.
While Czech-style lagers may appear simple—a pale golden color, brilliant clarity, and modest hop aroma—they are among the most technically demanding beers a brewer can produce. There are no bold specialty malts or massive dry hop additions to hide imperfections. Every step of the brewing process must be executed with care.

Over the past year, we've invested significant time refining our lager brewing process, and Dr. Saaz represents the culmination of much of that work.

Built on Traditional Ingredients

Great lagers begin with great ingredients.

For bitterness, we chose German Magnum, a clean, smooth bittering hop that provides structure without harshness.

For flavor and aroma, we turned to one of brewing's most legendary hop varieties--authentic Czech Saaz. Known for its delicate herbal character, gentle spice, earthy notes, and subtle floral aroma, Saaz has defined Czech lagers for generations. Rather than overwhelming the palate, it creates elegance and balance.

A traditional German lager yeast completes the recipe, selected for its exceptionally clean fermentation profile and ability to allow both the malt and hops to shine.

Brewing Slowly on Purpose

Lagers reward patience.

Unlike many ales that can be ready in a matter of weeks, Dr. Saaz was fermented slowly at cool temperatures, allowing the yeast to work cleanly and efficiently while minimizing unwanted fermentation byproducts.

After primary fermentation, the beer spent additional time lagering—a period of cold conditioning where harsh edges soften, flavors integrate, and brilliant clarity develops naturally.
Good lager isn't rushed.

Small Improvements Add Up

Many of the changes we've discussed in recent blog posts found their way into this beer.

We've refined our water chemistry to better support delicate lager styles, carefully monitored mash pH for optimal enzyme performance, and made targeted mineral adjustments to enhance balance without distracting from the beer's traditional character.

We've also continued improving our fermentation practices, focusing on healthier yeast, tighter temperature control, and greater consistency from batch to batch.

None of these improvements dramatically change the beer on their own. Together, however, they create a cleaner, crisper, and more refined drinking experience.

The Beauty of Simplicity

One of the greatest compliments a brewer can receive is someone saying, "That was easy to drink."

In reality, creating a beer that feels effortless often requires extraordinary attention to detail.
Every ingredient has to be in balance. Every process has to be executed carefully. Every decision matters.

That's exactly why we love brewing lagers.

Available Now

Dr. Saaz Czech Lager is pouring today at Utara Brewing.

Whether you're already a lager enthusiast or simply curious to discover why these classic European styles have endured for centuries, we invite you to stop in and enjoy a pint.

Sometimes the quietest beers have the most to say.

Cheers!