Pilsner Urquell

Brewed by Plzensky Prazdroj (SABMiller)
Style: Bohemian Pilsener
Plzen, Czech Republic

Serve in Flute, Footed Pilsner

Bottle dated March 2012. Fresh, gentle hops and crisp malts in the nose hinting at greatness to come. The appearance is typical of pilsners. Disappointingly, the palate was weak and undercarbonated, and the taste notes very shy, with only a bit of lingering hop bitterness. I am positive this is all due to the age of the bottle; I’d like to have a fresher one that could deliver all the promises made by the enticing aroma. For now, though, the most complimentary I can be about this beer is that there is none of that industrial, metallic taste of Western macros.

Nearly perfect, and I find myself rating this highly out of respect and a genuine liking for this brew. The crispness and freshness is always present whether warm or cold. Hard to think of anything in its class that is better.

After trying many pilsner-style brews lately, I agree that this one really does set the standard. It’s light, crisp, flavorful, and has a full-bodied mouthfeel that belies its low alcohol content. Aroma is grainy and spicy. Taste is hoppy. Finish is dry and pleasant. Go Czech!

Bottle to pint glass. Pours clear straw gold with a soapy white head that fades to a film with good lacing. Aroma is skunk and malty straw and wet grains. Taste is sweet malt grassy and finishes hoppy and bitter. Palate is thin and crisp with a chaulky finish. Easy drinker!

Clear blonde with thick white head and gentle hop aroma. Bitter at first with prickly carbonation but becomes gentler creamy malt

500ml can. Had this ages ago in a green bottle and it had gone totally to skunk. I avoided it for years until a friend insisted it was good. Normally, I favour bottles over cans but in this case can was definitely the way to go. Poured a deep gold with good foamy white head. Not a strong smell, but some light malts and hops come across. No skunk in this one. Taste was surprisingly hopsy, with some good malt balance. Palate was crisp and clean. Overall, a very good pils with enough hops to make it interesting.

12 oz bottle. Pours a clear, light golden color with nice pearly head. Aroma is hay and dough notes. Flavor is very light and crisp. Palate is also very light. What a classic. I could drink these all day.

500mL can from LCBO. Pours golden yellow. Aroma has pale malt and some hops. Taste is syrupy and bitter, with some alcohol in the finish. Better than the average pilsener.