Pilsner Urquell
Pilsner Urquell (international title in German, Plzeňský Prazdroj in Czech) is a bottom-fermented beer produced since 1842 in Pilsen, Bohemia (Plzeň, Czech Republic). The beer is today a prominent brand of the global brewing empire, SABMiller, which has also started brewing Pilsner Urquell in Poland[1] and Russia.
Pilsner Urquell is somewhat heavier and has slightly more alcohol than American Beer (with an almost ale-like fruitiness in the malt body) and more strongly hopped than most pilsener beers. Saaz hops, a noble hop variety, are a key element in its flavour profile, as are the use of soft water[1] and fire-brewing[2]. It is available in a 330 ml (third of a litre) and a 500ml (half litre) in either aluminium cans and in green bottles.
History
As its name claims ("original source" is the meaning of both "Urquell" in German; the official language of Bohemia when it was a part of the Austrian Empire in which the brewery was founded in 1839, and of "Prazdroj", in Czech); it is the world's original pilsener, or golden beer. Most popular lagers produced in the rest of the world are based upon this original beer. [2] Many beers that call themselves a pilsner, pilsener or pils refer to being made in the style of this beer, first brewed by Josef Groll on 5 October 1842. The Bavarian brewer had been hired by local German-speaking citizens who had founded the Bürgerbrauerei (Burghers' brewery, later translated to Měšťanský pivovar in Czech).
In 1859[3], the Bürgerbrauerei registered Pilsner Bier B B. After local competition had been founded in 1869, in 1898 they also registered Original Pilsner Bier 1842 and Pilsner Urquell. Czech versions were Plzeňský pramen, Prapramen, Měšťanské Plzeňské, Plzeňský pravý zdroj were brand names that the Burgess' Brewery registered at the end of the nineteenth century; however, it was another name that persevered: Pilsner Urquell, and Plzeňský Prazdroj in Czech.
Notes and references
- ^ "Czech beer brand gets Polish licence". FoodAndDrinkEurope.com. 2002-09-11. Retrieved 2007-03-10.
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(help) - ^ Jackson, Michael. Ultimate Beer, page 124, DK Publishing, Inc., 1998. ISBN 0-789-43527-6
- ^ Pilsner Urquell
See also
External links
- www.pilsnerurquell.com — the official website Pilsner Urquell
- www.prazdroj.cz — the official website Plzensky Prazdroj
- Beer production chart — an interactive scheme of the Pilsner Urquell production
- Your Next Beer - Pilsner Urquell - a podcast about this beer, touches on taste and history.