Pilsner Urquell (in Czech Plzeňský Prazdroj) is a Czech beer that has been brewed since the middle of the XNUMXth century in the city of Pilsen. The beer-producing plant, Pivovar Prazdroj, is today owned by Asahi Group Holdings, based in Tokyo. In addition to Pilsensky Prazdroj, the company manufactures products under the Gambrinus, Velkopopovický Kozel, Primus, Radegast, Excelent trademarks.
Historical information
The first batch of Pilsner beer was sold in 1842 at a festival in the Saint-Martin markets. The name of Josef Groll, who created it, is written in golden letters in the history of Czech brewing. After all, he not only created a drink with exceptional taste, but became a pioneer in the development of bottom fermentation technology. Thanks to him, a lager (bed, pils) appeared, which began its victorious march through the countries. Today, about 70% of the beer produced in the world belongs to this category.
The new beer quickly gained popularity and began to be exported. Struggling with numerous fakes and falsifications, in 1898 the plant registered a trademark, both in Czech and German at once: Plzeňský Prazdroj and Pilsner Urquell. In a rough translation, this means “Plzeň source”. The German spelling has become used as an international one, although the Czechs themselves never call their beer that.
Since the late 90s of the last century, the brewery has been managed by the SABMiller group, and in 2017 it was bought by Asahi Breweries. Currently, Pilsner Urquell is produced only in the Czech Republic, the production of beer under license in Poland and Russia was discontinued in 2017.
In 2018, the plant increased its capacity for the production of Pilsner Urquell premium beer by almost a third – now it can produce up to 3,5 million hectoliters per year. Investments in new technologies, brewing and cylindrical tanks amounted to 280 million kroons. The growth in demand within the country and abroad is the main reason why the plant decided to expand production in a difficult economic situation. New export opportunities have opened up mainly in Asia: China, South Korea, Japan.
Awards
Brussels Beer Challenge:
- 1991 – gold (Pilsner Urquell) medal.
Helsinki Beer Festival:
- 2002 – gold (Pilsner Urquell) medal and the title “Beer of the Year”.
Australian International Beer Awards
- 2014 – silver (Velkopopovický Kozel 11 °) and bronze (Velkopopovicky Kozel Cerny) medals.
Pivex Gold Cup, Brno:
- 2014 – Gold (Velkopopovický Kozel 11 °) medal and the title of “Beer of the Year”;
- 2017 – 2 gold (Velkopopovický Kozel 11 °, Birell Semi-dark), 2 silver (Gambrinus Plná 12, Radegast Original), bronze (Radegast Ryze Bitter 12) medals.
World Beer Cup:
- 2014 – silver (Velkopopovický Kozel 11 °) medal.
Cape Town Beer Festival:
- 2014 – gold (Pilsner Urquell) medal.
Design Touch:
- 2013 – the top prize for the design of a liter bottle, created in honor of the 170th anniversary of the original Pilsner Urquell beer.
Worldstar Packaging Awards, Дюссельдорф:
- 2014 – gold award for the design of the anniversary bottle with a porcelain cap.
Interesting Facts
Plzeňský Prazdroj is one of those breweries that sell the most beer in barrels. Taking care of the reputation of its brands and striving to support the traditional culture of consumption, the company has established a special award for restaurants, pubs and bars – the “Star of Brewers”. It is awarded to those establishments that meet all the requirements for the shelf life of beer, its bottling, care of the tap, washing glasses. To this end, tasters come to the pub under the guise of ordinary visitors, order beer and evaluate the service. The list of those who passed this “exam” includes 314 establishments in Prague, Pilsen, and Ostrava.
Since 2011, a tradition has developed at the brewery – on the eve of Easter, send their beer as a gift to the Pope. In 2018, a batch of 2018 bottles was delivered to the Vatican by the senior owner of the brewery, Vaclav Berka. He presented Pope Francis with another gift, a copper Easter egg. It symbolizes the brewing method of Pilsner Urquell, which traditionally uses copper cauldrons and open fires, which have a significant effect on the golden color of the beer.
Characteristics of Pilsner Urquel beer
The legendary drink that became the progenitor of an entire category of beer and inspired many followers. The beer is brewed only in the Czech Republic, the hereditary sweet tooth Vaclav Berka Jr. monitors the strict adherence to the recipe. The basis is made up of three traditional ingredients: soft water, own malt and hops from Zatec. Beer has a recognizable bright golden color, in the glass forms a high snow-white “crown”. A distinctive feature of the bouquet is pronounced grassy tones, complemented by sweet notes of malt. From the first sip, it demonstrates fullness and smoothness of taste with a rich malt base and noble bitterness of hops.
