170 years ago a brewing revolution took place in the ancient Czech town of Pilsen, a revolution that changed the world of beer forever. A group of dedicated brewers put their skills and their ambition together to create the world’s first ever golden beer, the original Pilsner lager, a beer that still sets and defines the standard for 70% of the worlds brewing output today.
I had the pleasure of travelling to Pilsen and Prague with Pilsner Urquell in the Fall of 2013. The trip included a private tour of the Pilsner Urquell brewery and a culinary tour of Prague, the nations jaw dropping capital. This incredible experience taught me firsthand how the world’s original pilsner is crafted and what makes this beer so special.
Visitors to Taste of Toronto had a rare opportunity to sip and savour cold pints of unfiltered Pilsner Urquell. The brewmaster in Czech tapped a few kegs of the golden froth and flew them over the Atlantic so Toronto beer fans could whet their whistles. Bartenders sketched on a wee blackboard which hung from the tap, noting the freshness of the brew for those looking to have their thirst quenched. On Saturday afternoon the brew was but 13 days old, offering a subtle hop and sweet sudsy foam for visitors to the festivals Pilsner Urquell beer tent.
While touring through the Pilsner Urquell’s brewery in Czech Republic last Fall I had the opportunity to enjoy a beer pouring demo. The local culture surrounding beer and “how we consume it” differed from what I was used to back home. Pilsner Urquell fans in Prague (and across the Eastern European country enjoy their beer poured three separate ways in classic Czech tradition…
- Na Dvakrat (Crisp): the standard pour we’re all used to, featuring a full glass of beer with suds whispering at the top of the glass. Perfect for those looking for a thirst quench at the dinner table.
- Hladinka (Smooth): the bartender pours half brew and half foam into the glass, classically Czech with a thicker head and less carbon dioxide in the beer itself.
- Milko (Milk): most unique is the milky option which features a a glass full of beer foam, typically ordered at the end of of the evening as a “beer lovers aperitif.”
