Coordinates: 49°44′48″N 13°23′14″E / 49.746758°N 13.387243°E / 49.746758; 13.387243
| Manufacturer | Pilsner Urquell Brewery |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 1842 |
| Style | Bottom-fermented beer |
Plzeňský Prazdroj (, Original Source of Pilsner), known better by its German name Pilsner Urquell ( ), is a bottom-fermented beer produced since 1842 in Pilsen, part of today's Czech Republic. Pilsner Urquell was the first pilsner beer in the world. Today it is a prominent brand of the global brewing empire SABMiller.
Pilsner Urquell is more strongly hopped than most pilsner beers. Saaz hops, a noble hop variety, are a key element in its flavour profile, as are the use of soft water and fire-brewing. It is available in a 330 ml, as well as 12oz {355ml}, and a 500ml (half litre) in both aluminium cans and green bottles.
Almost all draft Pilsner Urquell available throughout the world is served via keg dispense under carbon dioxide pressure, and has been since the 1960s. However, small quantities of the beer in cask conditioned form, dispensed from wooden casks are sometimes made available in the Czech Republic and have also been seen in the United Kingdom during 2012.
The cask version of Pilsner Urquell is unpasteurised, unfiltered and naturally conditioned with no added CO2, and is far closer in character to the way the beer would have been in the 19th century.