If you’ve ever had Budweiser Budvar, you already know it’s a classic. In fact, the original Budvar is my favourite beer of all time. No gimmicks, no wild adjuncts—just a perfectly brewed Czech lager that nails balance, flavour, and tradition every time. So when I saw that Budvar had teamed up with Swedish craft legends Omnipollo to create a new lager—Triple Saaz Hops—my interest was immediately piqued, and my expectations were sky high.
Well, after getting my hands on a couple of cans, I can honestly say: this might just be better than the original.
Let’s dive in.
A Brief History of Budvar x Omnipollo: Old World Meets New World
This beer is a genuine meeting of minds—Old World mastery and New World creativity. Budvar, founded back in 1895 in České Budějovice, has long stood as a beacon of traditional Czech brewing. They’re purists in the best way: they only use whole-cone Saaz hops (never pellets or extracts), Moravian malts, soft water from artesian wells, and a long lagering process that’s borderline spiritual. It’s that devotion to ingredients and time that makes Budvar what it is.
Omnipollo, on the other hand, are the mad scientists of the beer world. Based in Stockholm, they’ve built a global reputation for their boundary-pushing brews—pastry stouts, smoothie IPAs, pizza beers—you name it, they’ve tried it. But don’t let the wild side fool you: these people know how to brew.
When these two very different breweries started chatting in early 2025, the idea wasn’t just to brew another lager. It was to elevate the style using the best ingredients in the world and a shared obsession with precision. The result is Triple Saaz Hops, brewed at Omnipollo’s Church in Stockholm using three different Saaz hop varieties, a traditional Czech yeast strain, and a double-decoction mash. It’s Czech lager—turned up to eleven.
The Pour: Classic With a Twist
I poured Triple Saaz into a clean tulip glass, slightly chilled. The beer cascades out like liquid gold, landing in the glass with a bright, clear straw hue that practically glows. A generous, fluffy white head forms immediately and holds steady, leaving tight lacing as it slowly recedes. It looks like the kind of beer you want to drink on a hot day in Prague, sitting at a street-side café.
The carbonation is lively but not overdone. You get the sense it’s been lagered long and well. Right away, you catch a whiff of something special even before diving in—this beer smells like tradition, but layered with something more expressive and modern.
Taste & Aroma: Czech Soul With Swedish Swagger
The aroma hits you with a fresh, green herbaceousness that screams Saaz hops—but there’s more here than in your typical Bohemian pilsner. There’s a soft citrus peel brightness, like lemon zest, floating just above a base of floral spice and faint earthy sweetness. It smells incredibly clean and intentional, like every component is in harmony.
And the taste? Wow. First sip and I’m completely drawn in.
It opens with a crisp snap—mild bitterness, herbal and spicy, just as you’d expect from Saaz. But instead of fading into a dry, neutral finish, the flavour keeps evolving. There’s a gentle peppery note, subtle pine, even a fleeting floral sweetness that gives it real complexity. The triple-hop layering adds depth without ever overwhelming the palate.
Underneath all that hop character is a beautiful malt base. The double-decoction mash really shows up here—rich and bready but not heavy. Think fresh baguette crust, just kissed with honey. It’s smooth and rounded, holding up the hops without stealing the show. The finish is clean and dry, but not astringent—just refreshing.
What I love most is how drinkable it is. This isn’t one of those collab beers you try once and never revisit. This is the kind of lager you want in your fridge all summer. The more I drank it, the more I appreciated the balance. It’s creative but still totally rooted in tradition. It tastes like a Czech lager—but one that’s been reimagined through a modern lens, without losing its soul.
Verdict: 5 out of 5 — And I Don’t Say That Lightly
I don’t hand out 5-star ratings easily. I’ve tried hundreds of beers over the years, and only a few ever earn that perfect score. But Budvar × Omnipollo Triple Saaz Hops is one of them.
This isn’t just a great collab—it’s a great beer, full stop. It respects tradition but still feels fresh and exciting. The hop character is layered and complex without being overpowering, the malt base is perfectly judged, and the drinkability is off the charts.
And yes, I’ll say it again: Budvar Original is my all-time favourite lager. But this? This might just be better.
If you’re a fan of lagers—or even if you think you’re not—find this beer. Drink it fresh, pour it with care, and enjoy what might be one of the best lagers released this year.
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