Pilsner Urquell Lager

This is the classic beer from the Czech republic. It shares many similarities with lagers and pilsners from Eastern Europe. The brewery has been in operation since 1842 using only water, hops and malt. In contrast to Budweiser Budvar 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 ... more

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 dark or amber, but the pilsen version was deep golden and crystal clear - due to the extremely pale Bohemian malt used in the process and the ... more

For this review I thought I would leave my computer and go "on location" - when writing a review about the Czech Republic's most famous beer, it's really handy to be living down the road from one of best Pilsner pubs in the country! "Hostinec U Blahovky" on Gorkeho, Brno is a small, old fashioned pub which seats perhaps twenty, and it's especially good during the summer, when there are some benches outside to stand at and enjoy the brew. The pub has won awards from the Pilsner brewery in the past for the quality of it's beer, and is certainly one of the most cherished places in Brno to go and ... more

The Czech Republic is widely renowned among connoisseurs for producing some of the finest beers in 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 golden colour,a bit deeper than most lagers ... more

Beer connoisseurs consider that the Czech Republic produces some of the very finest beers 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 see it! In essence Czech beer is of two main types : viz ... more