Pilsner Urquell

Pilsner Urquell is a Czech pale lager first brewed in Plzeň in 1842. It is widely regarded as the first commercially successful pale lager and is the historical source of the pilsner style, whose name has since been applied to beers produced around the world. The beer is distinguished by its bright golden colour, clarity, pronounced but balanced bitterness, crisp finish and characteristic use of Saaz noble hops and soft local water. The brand emerged during a period when beer in Bohemia was generally dark and top-fermented. Residents of Plzeň had become dissatisfied with the quality and price of local beer and were increasingly interested in imported bottom-fermented lagers. The town's burghers therefore invested in a modern municipal brewery, the Měšťanský pivovar, and engaged Josef Groll, a Bavarian brewer with experience in bottom fermentation. Groll prepared a new mash in October 1842, and the resulting beer was presented publicly at the St. Martin markets on 11 November of that year. The beer's pale colour and clean, refreshing profile were novel for its time. Its success helped establish a new commercial model for lager brewing and made pale, bottom-fermented beer a global reference point. The terms pils, pilsner and pilsener subsequently became common descriptions for beers inspired by the Plzeň original, although the Pilsner Urquell brand itself remains tied to the brewery and recipe tradition in Plzeň. The German expression Pilsner Urquell means 'original source', while the Czech name Plzeňský Prazdroj carries the same idea of an original or primary source from Plzeň. The brand has been protected through a succession of registered names, beginning with Pilsner Bier B. B. in 1859 and including the Pilsner Urquell and Plzeňský Prazdroj names from 1898. Packaging has expanded from draught service to bottles and aluminium cans in several sizes. Draught beer is generally filtered, while limited quantities of unfiltered beer and increasingly available unpasteurized tank beer provide alternative serving formats. The beer is sold primarily in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany and South Korea, with distribution also reported across Asia, Europe and North America. Pilsner Urquell was part of the SABMiller group from 1999 until 2017. Following regulatory arrangements connected with Anheuser-Busch InBev's acquisition of SABMiller, the brand and the relevant Czech brewing business were transferred to Japan-based Asahi Breweries in 2017. The beer is currently brewed solely at the Plzeň brewery, after earlier production periods at breweries in Tychy, Poland, and Kaluga, Russia. Its positioning combines Czech provenance, brewing heritage, the original-pilsner claim and a premium traditional lager experience.

Pilsner Urquell's history begins in the Bohemian town of Plzeň, where local beer culture changed substantially during the nineteenth century. By 1839, the beer produced in the area was predominantly dark and top-fermented. At the same time, bottom-fermented lagers were becoming more attractive to consumers. Residents of Plzeň reportedly preferred imported bottom-fermented beer to much of the locally produced ale, partly because imported alternatives were cheaper and perceived as better. In response, the burghers of Plzeň established a modern municipal brewery, known as the Měšťanský pivovar or Burghers' Brewery. The project was intended to improve local brewing and provide the town with a more competitive beer. Josef Groll, a Bavarian brewer experienced in the production of bottom-fermented beer, was hired to develop the brewery's first major lager. His work combined pale malt, bottom fermentation, Saaz hops and the relatively soft water available in Plzeň. Groll prepared a new mash on 5 October 1842. The resulting beer was first served publicly on 11 November 1842 at the St. Martin markets. Its pale golden colour, clarity and lively bitterness contrasted sharply with the darker beers common in Bohemia at the time. The beer quickly gained a reputation beyond Plzeň, and its visual and sensory profile became a model for breweries seeking to produce a modern pale lager. The beer's success led to widespread imitation. The words pils, pilsner and pilsener became generic style descriptions for pale lagers influenced by the Plzeň model, while the original brewery sought to distinguish its own product through trademarks and provenance. The brewery registered the name Pilsner Bier B. B. in 1859. In 1898, it registered several additional names, including Pilsner Urquell and Plzeňský Prazdroj. The German name Pilsner Urquell translates broadly as 'original source', reinforcing the brand's claim to be the origin of the style. Over time, the beer became a major export and an international reference brand. Its production remained associated with Plzeň, although the brand was also brewed at other facilities during particular ownership periods. It was produced in Tychy, Poland, between 2002 and 2011, and in Kaluga, Russia, between 2004 and 2017. The brand's current production is concentrated at the historic Plzeň brewery. Corporate ownership changed several times in the modern era. Pilsner Urquell was part of SABMiller from 1999. In connection with the regulatory conditions surrounding Anheuser-Busch InBev's 2016 acquisition of SABMiller, the Czech brewing business containing Pilsner Urquell was sold to Asahi Breweries in 2017. Asahi therefore became the brand's current corporate owner while the beer retained its Plzeň identity and production heritage. The modern brand is sold in draught, bottle and can formats. Most draught beer is filtered, but limited unfiltered releases and unpasteurized tank beer have broadened the range of serving experiences associated with the brand. Cans have been offered in 330 ml, 355 ml and 500 ml formats, while bottles are available in green or brown glass depending on market and packaging configuration. The principal markets include the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany and South Korea, alongside distribution in other European, Asian and North American countries.

• 2017

  Asahi becomes owner

  [1]Pilsner Urquellen.wikipedia.org

  The brand is transferred from SABMiller to Asahi Breweries in connection with the divestitures required for the SABMiller acquisition.

• 2004

  Production begins at Kaluga

  [1]Pilsner Urquellen.wikipedia.org

  Pilsner Urquell is also produced at a brewery in Kaluga, Russia, until 2017.

• 2002

  Production begins at Tychy

  [1]Pilsner Urquellen.wikipedia.org

  The beer is brewed at the Tychy brewery in Poland for a period that continues until 2011.

• 1999

  Brand joins SABMiller

  [1]Pilsner Urquellen.wikipedia.org

  Pilsner Urquell becomes part of the SABMiller group.

• 1898

  Pilsner Urquell name registered

  [1]Pilsner Urquellen.wikipedia.org

  The brewery registers Pilsner Urquell and Plzeňský Prazdroj among a group of names used to identify the original Plzeň beer.

• 1859

  Pilsner Bier B. B. name registered

  [1]Pilsner Urquellen.wikipedia.org

  The brewery registers an early name associated with its Plzeň beer.

• 1842

  First Pilsner Urquell beer brewed

  [1]Pilsner Urquellen.wikipedia.org

  Josef Groll develops the new bottom-fermented beer in Plzeň. The first public serving takes place on 11 November at the St. Martin markets.

• 1839

  Plzeň burghers establish a modern brewery project

  [1]Pilsner Urquellen.wikipedia.org

  Local citizens invest in the Měšťanský pivovar, or Burghers' Brewery, amid dissatisfaction with existing dark, top-fermented local beer.

Premium traditional Czech pilsner positioned around its Plzeň origin, historical status as the original pale lager, Saaz hop character, soft water and established brewing heritage.

• Pale lager beer · 1842

  Pilsner Urquell

  The core Pilsner Urquell beer is a clear, golden, bottom-fermented lager associated with a crisp body, pronounced bitterness and a distinctive Saaz hop aroma. Its profile is built around the historic Plzeň brewing tradition, including soft water and pale malt. The beer is sold internationally in draught, bottle and can formats, with packaging sizes and bottle colours varying by market.

• Beer serving formats

  Unfiltered and tank Pilsner Urquell

  Limited unfiltered and unpasteurized tank versions offer a less processed serving format than the standard filtered draught product. These versions are distributed selectively and are particularly associated with specialist or high-volume hospitality venues where storage and handling conditions support the format.

• Packaged beer

  Pilsner Urquell cans and bottles

  Packaged Pilsner Urquell is sold in aluminium cans and glass bottles. The cited market range includes 330 ml, 355 ml and 500 ml cans, while bottles may use green or brown glass. Availability and exact presentation differ by country.

• 2017

  Transfer of Pilsner Urquell to AsahiM&A

  Background

  Anheuser-Busch InBev's acquisition of SABMiller required asset divestitures to address regulatory concerns.

  Action taken

  Pilsner Urquell and the relevant Czech brewing business were sold to Japan-based Asahi Breweries.

  Aftermath

  Asahi became the brand's owner, while Pilsner Urquell continued to be associated with its brewery and origin in Plzeň.

  Source

• 2017

  Production consolidated in PlzeňStrategy

  Background

  The brand had previously been brewed at facilities in Tychy, Poland, and Kaluga, Russia.

  Action taken

  Production was returned to the Plzeň brewery as the sole brewing location.

  Aftermath

  The change reinforced the brand's association with its historic place of origin.

  Source

1. 1Pilsner Urquellen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Pilsner Urquell official websitepilsnerurquell.com