Historical examples of German pilsner beer labels fromEast GermanyCan of Belgian Pils represented on a mural of the railway station ofLouvain-la-Neuve (Belgium)
The city of Plzeň was granted brewing rights in 1307.[3] Until the mid-1840s, most Bohemian beers were top-fermented. The Pilsner Urquell Brewery, originally called inGerman:Bürger-Brauerei Pilsen (Czech:Měšťanský pivovar Plzeň, English:Plzeň Citizens' Brewery), is where Pilsen beer was first brewed.[4]
Brewers had begun aging beer made withcool fermentingyeasts in caves (lager, i.e.,German:gelagert [stored]), which improved the beer's clarity andshelf-life. Part of this research benefited from the knowledge already expounded on in a book (printed in German in 1794, in Czech in 1799) written by Czech brewerFrantišek Ondřej Poupě (German:Franz Andreas Paupie) (1753–1805) fromBrno.[5]
The Plzeň brewery recruited the Bavarian brewerJosef Groll (1813–1887) who, using the local ingredients, produced the first batch of pale lager on 5 October 1842. The combination of Plzeň's remarkably soft water, localSaaznoble hops from nearbyŽatec, low-protein Moravian barley malt prepared by indirectly heated kilning, andBavarian-style lagering produced a clear, golden beer.[citation needed]
By 1853, the beer was available at 35 pubs inPrague. In 1856, it came toVienna and in 1862 to Paris. In 1859,Pilsner Bier was registered as a brand name at the Chamber of Commerce and Trade in Plzeň. In 1898, the Pilsner Urquell trademark was created to put emphasis on being the original brewery (Urquell, meaning 'original source').[6]
Some beers are labeledUrtyp Pilsener (UP) meaning they are brewed according to the original process, although many breweries use this accolade for their top beer.[7][8]
The introduction of modern refrigeration to Germany byCarl von Linde in the late 19th century eliminated the need for caves for beer storage, enabling the brewing and storing of cool fermenting beer in many new locations.[9]
Until 1993 thePilsner Urquell brewery fermented its beer using openbarrels in thecellars beneath their brewery. This changed in 1993 with the use of large cylindrical tanks. Small samples are still brewed in a traditional way for taste comparisons.[citation needed]
A modern pale lager termed apilsner may have a very light, clear colour from pale to golden yellow, with varying levels of hop aroma and flavour. The alcohol strength of beers termed pilsner vary but are typically around 4.5%–5% (by volume). There are categories such as "European-Style Pilsner" at beer competitions such as theWorld Beer Cup. Pilsner style lagers are marketed internationally by numerous small brewers and larger conglomerates.[citation needed]
Bright golden colour, moderately bitter and distinct aroma, brewed with malt and Saaz hops. In the Czech Republic, onlyPilsner Urquell is named as "pilsner". However, outside of the Czech Republic, Czech-style Pilsner is synonymous with any such lager beers (including any Czech brand) – for example Pilsner Urquell,Budweiser Budvar,Gambrinus,Kozel,Radegast,Staropramen,Starobrno andKrušovice.
German immigrants brought pilsner style beers to America in the mid-19th century. American pilsners[which?] today are still closer to the German style, but a traditional grist may contain up to 25% corn and/or rice. American pilsners have “significantly less flavor, hops, and bitterness than traditional European Pilsners,” according to the Beer Judge Certification Program.[12]
West Coast-style Pilsner
Modern iteration, light to golden color brewed with American or southern hemisphere hops, possiblydry-hopped. Developed on the West Coast of the United States. Clean and light, with more pronounced hop flavor and aroma.[13]
Australian-style Pilsner
Light straw to golden colour with more crisp, clean earthy taste.
^Basařová G.: Der legendäre böhmische Brauer František Ondřej Poupě (Franz Andreas Paupie) 1753–1805. Jahrbuch 2003 Gesellschaft für die Geschichte und Bibliographie des Brauwesens e.V. (GGB), (2003) 1, 128–146.
