The History of Pilsner Urquell
Pilsner Urquell was the first pale lager, and the name “pilsner” is often used by its copies. It is characterized by its golden color and clarity, and was immensely successful: nine out of ten beers produced and consumed in the world are pale lagers based on Pilsner Urquell. The German name, which can be roughly translated into English as “the original source”, was adopted as a trademark in 1898.
By 1839 most beer in Bohemia was dark and top-fermented. However bottom-fermented lagers were gaining popularity. The people of Plzeň preferred imported cheaper bottom-fermented beers to local top-fermented ales The burghers of Plzeň invested in a new, state-of-the-art brewery, the Burghers’ Brewery, and hired Josef Groll, a Bavarian brewer, to brew a bottom-fermented beer. On October 5, 1842, Groll had a new mash ready and on 11 November 1842, the new beer was first served at the feast of St. Martin markets.
Fun Beer Facts, Breweries and More: Click Here