If you saw someone downing a beer that looks like a glass of foam, you might think they’ve been short-changed. But don’t be fooled. That frothy pint is actually a perfectly poured mliko, a traditional Czech style of serving lager that’s meant to be enjoyed in one go, leaving a creamy trail of foam on your upper lip like a badge of honour.
The mliko is just one of several distinct Czech beer pours, each with its own purpose and character. There’s the šnyt, which is two fingers of lager and three fingers of foam, and the hladinka, a pour with only about a third of head. These styles might get you a few strange looks in an Aussie pub, where less head is generally considered better. But in the Czech Republic, they’re a masterclass in beer artistry.
And that masterclass has made its way to Australia thanks to a partnership between the Czech Republic’s state-owned brewer, Budějovický Budvar, and Gold Coast local legends, Burleigh Brewing. Together, they’ve created Czech Mates, a traditional Czech-style lager brewed on home soil with the care and precision both breweries are known for.
“When people see mliko being poured for the first time, they think it’s a mistake,” says Burleigh Brewing co-founder Peta Fielding. “But no, it’s absolutely a traditional Czech pour — that’s how it’s meant to look.”
According to Fielding, the fine, wet foam created by Czech pouring techniques draws out a surprising sweetness from the beer. “It’s like drinking a glass of liquid dessert,” she says.
It’s not just about flavour, though. Pouring a mliko is almost ceremonial. It should be done by a výčepní — the Czech word for barman or tapster — who faces the drinker and meets their gaze as the pint is drawn. It’s part performance, part tradition, and all about respect for the beer.
The Czechs take their beer seriously — they’re the world’s biggest beer drinkers, consuming an impressive 143 litres per capita each year. That’s well ahead of Namibia’s 108 litres, and significantly more than Australia’s 82.
Budějovický Budvar itself is steeped in heritage. Based in South Bohemia, its brewing history dates back to 1895, and it was formally established as a state-run brewery in 1966. Now, that legacy is being honoured and shared through Czech Mates, brewed locally at Burleigh Heads.
While the beer is made in Australia, the method is unmistakably Czech. Brewmasters from both Burleigh Brewing and Budvar work closely together, using the time-honoured technique of double decoction mashing — where a portion of the mash is removed, boiled, and returned — followed by up to eight weeks of maturation. The result is a smooth, flavourful lager with a lasting impression.
“What an incredible honour to be chosen by Budvar to produce a beer worthy of both our names,” says Fielding. “It’s a magical blend of traditional Czech style brewing with a combination of Czech and Australian ingredients.”
For Burleigh Brewing, the collaboration was a natural fit. “We’ve been brewing clean, world-class lagers since day one and long before it was cool again,” says Fielding. “So when Budvar came calling, we didn’t have to adapt — this is what we were already doing.”
So even if you don’t consider yourself a beer drinker, it might be time to give the mliko a go. With its unique pour, creamy head, and touch of sweetness, it’s a new way to experience lager — one sip at a time.
