Harley Young learns all about the brewing history of the world’s first golden pilsner
If you’ve ever visited Prague and asked for ‘jedno pivo’ (one beer), chances are you’ve probably tried Pilsner Urquell without realising it. After all, it’s absolutely everywhere in Czechia, and for good reason.
The signature white and green signage with the red rosette can be found hanging from signs, illuminated in neon or displayed in windows of bars who wear the Pilsner Urquell logo like a badge of honour, proudly serving the country’s favourite pilsner with a recipe so good its remained untouched for over 180 years.
But where did it come from? Why is it so popular? And just what is a ‘Mlíko’?
Don’t worry, as all your questions will be answered at Pilsner Urquell: The Original Beer Experience, located in the heart of Prague. Here, you can enjoy a self-guided discovery tour that takes visitors on a journey through the history of the golden nectar, right back to its conception, by combining audio-visual storytelling with interactive games and technology and, of course, a beer tasting, too.
As you journey from room to room with your headphones on, different sensors are triggered which feed bite-sized tidbits of brewing information straight into your ears, including hearing all about the icons behind booze, from Mesopotamian Mythology’s Ninkasi, the goddess of beer, right to Czechia’s very own King Wenceslaus II of Bohemia, who granted the citizens of Plzeň the right to brew back in the 13th century. Rather fittingly, the Pilsner Urquell Experience can be found just off Wenceslas Square; an area named after the king himself.
Even as somebody who no longer drinks alcohol, I thoroughly enjoyed learning all about the history of this local favourite. The tour is laid out in such a way that it keeps your interest piqued throughout - it definitely doesn’t leave you yawning or overloaded with seemingly pointless information that you’re unlikely to retain afterwards like some specialist tours can do. Instead, you leave with some great general knowledge facts for future pub quizzes and a newfound appreciation for the effort and timeline it took to create and patent this particular beverage.
My fiancé (who does drink) enjoyed the tour even more as, at around the halfway point, you’re led into a room with an oval shaped bar and greeted by a bartender and a digital version of the fiery, bad-tempered Bavarian master brewer, Josef Groll, who created the world's first pale lager for the brewery back in 1842. Groll then encourages you to raise a glass, exclaim ‘na zdraví!’ and try the pilsner for yourself.
Once you’ve had a taste, it’s time to deep dive into the scientific brewing process that gives Pilsner Urquell its signature taste and why many bars will serve it with a very thick foamy head. Some even serve it as a ‘Mlíko’ or ‘milk pour’; a drink which is more than 70% wet foam, creating a sweet taste and velvety smooth texture that gives off more of that malty flavour without the sharp hop bitterness at the end. Some Brits would be offended if their pint was served like this at home, but here in Czechia, it’s a way of enjoying a more flavourful drink that’s lighter and less gassy.
After you’ve enjoyed a couple of games of Pilsner Urquell table football or ice hockey - the country’s national sport - it’s time to head upstairs to the beer hall and spend your complimentary drinks tokens trying out the three different serves; Hladinka (standard), Šnyt (best of both) and the aforementioned Mlíko (mostly ‘milk’).
Much to my delight, I was able to redeem my drinks tokens against an alcohol free alternative, Birell; the bestselling non-alcoholic beer in the Czech Republic, created by the parent company of Pilsner Urquell.
As well as your drinks tokens, at the end of the tour you’ll also receive a discount voucher to redeem against further food and drink and merchandise, should you want to take home a memento.
Those looking to make even more of an occasion can level up their experience with the Tapster Academy where they’ll learn how to pour the perfect three pours while being able to ask all those extra burning questions to the expert tapsters themselves. Complete with a certificate and your own personalised bottle of Pilsner, it’s the perfect add on for beer enthusiasts.
And foodies can’t leave without tucking into the Beer Sommelier Dinner; a unique take on food and drink pairings which sees five distinct beer styles from around the world matched up with complimenting Czech cuisine. Portion sizes are generous, the food is very impressive, and there’s no way anyone is leaving hungry (or sober*).
To find out more about Pilsner Urquell: The Original Beer Experience or to book an experience for yourself, click here.
*That is unless, of course, you don’t drink like me and your sommelier finds you a couple of alternatives to try - huge thanks to Casey for being so accommodating!
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