BEERCATION 2022 – PILSNER URQUELL – CZECH REPUBLIC
Hoppy’s last visit in Prague was at a Pilsner Urquell taproom/restaurant in the Vaclav Havel Airport. You’ve probably heard someone say that a certain beer tastes better in its home country than it does after being imported to the U.S. In the case of Pilsner Urquell, I would heartily agree.
Pilsner Urquell is brewed using triple decoction which is described as heating a portion of the mash three times to add more flavor and color to the beer, as well as using parallel brewing in wooden lagering barrels. They use Moravian Barley and Saaz hops from the Czech Republic. In Europe, some of their beer is served from tanks.
Their description of taste is a refreshing crispness from natural carbonation, then subtle caramel tones and a clean finish with a pleasing hoppy bitterness. The reason that I feel that Pilsner Urquell tastes better in the Czech Republic is the way that they pour, which results in a much larger head of foam. This would be the use of the Hladinka pour which is three fingers of foam on top of the beer. That thick head of dense, wet foam seals in freshness and flavor giving the beer a perfect balance of sweetness and bitterness.
Pilsner Urquell is brewed by Plzensky Prazdroj, and is the original pilsner having been brewed since1842. It is 4.4% ABV, 40 IBU.
