Establishment More Than Rain Czech Dark Lager 473 ml - 24 Cans

More Than Rain is an exceptional Tmavé Speciální Pivo (Czech Dark Lager) from Calgary’s The Establishment Brewing Company, originally brewed in collaboration with the local Rain Dog Bar. While many dark lagers lean toward the dry, roasted profile of a German Schwarzbier, More Than Rain is a deeper dive into the Czech tradition. It is designed to be richer, softer, and more malt-forward, offering a decadent complexity that remains remarkably "quaffable" thanks to traditional European lagering techniques.

Beer Description

This lager pours a beautiful, deep mahogany-to-ebony color with glowing garnet edges. It is topped with a dense, creamy, tan-colored head that leaves thick lacing on the glass.

Aroma: The nose is rich and inviting, dominated by toasted bread crust, dark chocolate, and roasted nuts. You’ll also find a distinct layer of dark fruit, think raisins or dried figs and a spicy, floral herbal scent from the traditional Czech hops.

Palate: On the tongue, it is medium-bodied with a soft, "round" mouthfeel that is notably fuller than a standard pilsner. It leads with a complex malt sweetness of caramel and cocoa, followed by a smooth, bready richness. The finish is clean and balanced; while there is a hint of roasted bitterness, it is never harsh or "burnt," ending with a lingering spicy hop note.

Profile: It sits at an ABV of 5.6% (a 14° Plato "Speciální" strength), making it slightly more robust than a standard session lager but still incredibly smooth.

Technical Notes: Establishment went to great lengths for authenticity with this brew. They utilized semi-early red-bine Saaz hops sourced directly from Bohemia and water treated with reverse osmosis to mimic the soft water of the Czech Republic. The grain bill features a "cocktail" of continental malts, including Pilsner, Caramunich II, and Carafa Special II, and it is fermented with a traditional Isar lager yeast from Escarpment Labs.