The Pilsner, also known as the Czech Pilsner and Bohemian Pilsner, traces it’s birthplace back to it’s namesake, the city of Plzen. This ancient European city is located in the western half of the (now) Czech Republic which was, at one point, part of the Bohemian kingdom ruled by King Wenceslas II in the 13th century.
 Pilsner beer was first brewed back in the 1840's when the citizens, brewers and maltsters of Plzen formed a brewer's guild and called it the People's Brewery of Pilsen (Mestansky Pivovar). The formation of this particular brewery came for the demand for better quality beer, which had been slowly deteriorating due to the lack of understanding of the fermentation process and sanitation conditions that affect beer.
The land of Plzen was, and still is, rich in brewing resources, from Bohemian and Moravian malts to the renown Saaz hops (Zatec Red, being its ancient name). Saaz hops were such coveted treasures that back in the Medieval days the law was an ironfisted and unforgiving one. Records state that anyone caught smuggling rhizomes (hop root cuttings) out of the country would be sentenced to death! Even the waters of Plzen were perfect for brewing, being very soft and making for some pleasant brewing compared to the hard harsh waters of England.
 However, the one ingredient that gives the Pilsner it’s defining character was actually smuggled into Bohemia by monks. The brewing guild of Plzen saw that the Germans, most notably in Munich, were using a bottom fermenting (lager) yeast with much success. Bavarian monks managed to smuggle a working yeast strain into Bohemia and soon after Josef Groll became the first brewmaster for the guild in 1842.
The Trademark Pilsner
Traditional Pilsners are typically around the 4 to 5% alcohol by volume, though variations can be a bit lower or higher. The color is light and crystal clear to the eye, light straw to golden. Hops are very prevalent usually with a spicy bitterness and/or a spicy floral flavor and aroma, notably one of the defining characteristics of Saaz. Smooth and crisp with a clean malty palate.
Pilsners are also extremely refreshing, and easy to knock back making them a fine session beer and a perfect match for almost any food style.
| How does the competition stack up? |
| Specifications |
Pilsner Urquell |
Budwiser |
 |
O.G.
F.G.
Alcohol (v/v)
Color (°L)
IBUs |
1.048 (12 °P)
1.015 (3.8 P)
4.4%
4.2
40 |
1.045 (11.25 °P)
1.009 (1.5 °P)
5%
2.2
12 |
Pilsners Examples
The style has been replicated all over the globe. In the US we have more than we can possibly list here but among the better representations of the style are Harpoon Pilsner and Sam Adams Golden Pilsner. Both are good examples, however there are various Pilsners available straight from the Czech Republic such as…
Pilsner Urquell - Claiming to be "The First Pilsner On Earth," this brew is by far the grandfather of the Pilsner style and straight from Plzen. Clean and spicy with an unsurpassed maltiness that shows great balance and appeal. http://www.pilsner-urquell.com/en/
Czechvar - Another original. This one had to change its name to get into the US. Who do you think would win a legal battle on name infringement in the US? Anheuser-Busch or a little known brewery in Eastern Europe by the name of Brewery Budweiser Budvar (B.B.N.P. in the US)? Now all of the beer geeks that have been waiting decades to try this beer, can. Imported by Czech Beer Importers. http://www.czechvar.com
Rebel - An authentic Pilsner. Nice, basic and easy to drink. It's a light bodied brew with tea-like floral hop flavours, a flash of lemon, grape notes with a crisp grain dryness. Imported by Czech Beer Importers. http://rebelbeer.com
|
|
Bounced Pay Czech Pilsner:
