Pilsner Urquell

Advantages: The original, the one and only, the genuine import
Disadvantages: But for how long

...and Staropramen (5% by volume), Pilsner Urquell is brewed to 4.4% ABV. In Prague (where I had the great fortune to try it in its native land - and brought back a souvenir tankard) it is available on draft and in bottles. The most likely presentation here (in the UK) is in a large 660 ml bottle. THE DRINK. My specimen (actually I have enjoyed two of them while researching this review) is the aforementioned 660ml bottle. I had stored it at 4ºC. The ...
...taste and the original golden pilsner beer”. The cap came off with a satisfying hiss. It pours with a generous sparkle and created a moderate head in the glass. It is a full bodied beer with a dark golden colour. There is no hint of cloudiness or sediment. It has a slightly hoppy, slightly fragrant nose. There is an initial slightly bitter woody flavour that soon develops into well rounded sweet and bitter aftertones. The taste lingers well on the ... Read review

Advantages: Crisp and refreshing
Disadvantages: None

Urquell means 'original source' and PILSNER URQUELL is indeed the original pilsner beer. Of course it has been much copied - usually by lesser, blander beers - throughout the world. In 1838, the burghers of Plzen (Pilsen in German), in the Czech Republic, decided to brew the new bottom fermented beer. Joseph Grolle, a young Bavarian brewmaster was hired for the purpose and, in 1842, the first pilsen lager was produced. Bavarian lagers tended to be ...
...THE POUR * Pilsner Urquell pours to a clear rich, golden colour with only the meerest trace of amber. The head is white, thick, creamy and long lasting with excellent lacing. On the nose, there's a mild sulphurous note with a little toasted malt and some grassy tones. There's a woody, smoky quality to it as well, an almost hickory, barbecue-type aroma. However, the overwhelming sensation is of fresh Saaz hops. Floral, spicy and earthy, this beer ... Read review

Advantages: Lovely Flavour Delightful taste
Disadvantages: Very Few

...the world and a Czech pilsner like Pilsner Urquell is a shining exemplification of the quality and refinement attainable in lager beer. Pilsner Urquell is, I should add, the original pils with its origins dating back to 1842 to the town of Pilsen. This absolutely outstanding lager has a full flavoured smoothness with an aroma of malt and hops. It has a thoroughl refreshing taste with no discernible traces of yeastiness.Pilsner Urquell has a rich ...
...result is a classic-no wonder Pilsner Urquell is one of the treasures of the Czech Republic. Fortunately you do not have to travel to Prague or Pilsen to get this famed lager for these days it is widely available in many parts of the world,including off licences,pubs and supermarkets in the UK. The grand-daddy of pils is,in my opinion,among the best beers in the world and is well worth searching for. A half-litre glass of Pilsner Urquell goes down ... Read review

Advantages: Great beers. Low prices. Good choice
Disadvantages: Smoky atmosphere in some Prague pubs

...in the world. A Czech Pilsner such as Budweiser Budvar 12 %, a Pilsner Urquell, or a Domazlice Purkmistr,takes a heck of a lot of beating. All these illustrious beers are there to be enjoyed in Prague and other cities in the Czech Republic. There is good news: increasingly great beers like Pilsner Urquell and Budweiser Budvar are obtainable in the United States and most of the countries of Western Europe. Beer drinkers know a good thing when they ...
...there as well. The original pilsner was also first brewed in1842 in Pilsen in the Czech Republic. If I had to pick the two greatest Czech beers I think I would go for PilsnerUrquell -the pioneer pilsner- and Budweiser Budvar but ask another ten visitors to Prague and you might well get ten different answers. All of the Czech beers,however,are virtually guaranteed to offer a full flavoured smoothness. They will skilfully emphasize the two main flavour ... Read review

Advantages: At least it's authentic
Disadvantages: Rather bland.

.... THE DRINK I stored this beer at 4ºC. The lager pours as a mid golden, moderately sparkling brew that does not hold a head. It has little aroma when served cool. It is clear in the glass with no sediment. The initial flavour is mildly malted and only vaguely bitter. This soon fades however leaving a rather short lived smooth, quite mellow taste on the palate. CONCLUSION I supped this beer with my evening meal of Madagascan Shrimp (highly spiced and topped with grilled cheese) and rocket salad. Castle Lager accompanied it quite well. It is a drinkable brew – nice enough as an experiment - but is not particularly memorable. It would not tempt me away from my regular libation! It's worth a try if you see it. I have awarded Castle 3* but really in comparison with the pinnacles of taste (Pilsner Urquell, Tsing Toa, Ybor Gold... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Refreshing. Widely Available
Disadvantages: Not the Best from Belgium

...,,produces an astounding variety of great beers. However,whilst Stella Artois is a good beer I would not place Stella Artois as among that country's finest. There are wonderful beers such as Chimay,Orval Trappist Ale, Duvel and Hoegarden produced in Belgium which are no more costly but ,in my opinion,infinitely superior. They are stronger, have a fuller body, and have a crisper,cleaner,nicer aroma. Indeed I would more directly compare Stella with other light beers such as Millers and Budweiser from the USA rather than with the classic beers from Belgium. Newcastle Brown Ale, Budvar, PilsnerUrquell and Grolsch, all widely available in the US and the UK and probably offer you better value for money. Stella Artois,like other lagers,goes down well with a fiery curry and is an acceptable accompiament to classic British pub food like a steak and kidney pie... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good Flavour. Consistent. Quite Strong. Well Marketed
Disadvantages: Not the Finest

...in most other European countries and in your holiday haunts whether they be in Spain, Malaysia,the Canaries, the West Indies or the USA. The Dutch lager is competitively priced in the UK market and is very popular. Frankly although I like it I do not rave about it either. It is fine but given the choice I prefer the likes of Budweiser Budvar,Pilsner Urquell or Becks. Heineken goes well with grilled dishes such as sirloin steak, grilled chops, fried chicken, burgers,pizza and casseroles. It can accompany a traditional sunday roast of,say. roast beef and Yorkshire pudding and would be a good drink to combat pyrotechnic curries in your local Indian or Bangladeshi restaurant.I quite often eat mutton massala and fluffy white rice and frequently order a Heineken ,to cope with my burning mouth.The other alternatives open to me are usually... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful