Today we're talking about Czech Pilsner. also known as Bohemian Pilsner, the quintessential beer of summer.  A spicy hopped, bright straw colored brew that is great on the beach or at a festive summer barbecue.   First brewed in the 1840’s in the Czech Republic town of Plzen (or Pilsen) in what used to be Czechoslovakia in the Bohemian Kingdom, this beer was brewed for the citizens by a brewer’s guild called the People’s Brewery of Pilsen.  There is also a German style Pilsner that was first brewed in Bohemia in the Austrian Empire.  This style is often abbreviated as simply “Pils”.

Both Czech and German Pilsner are brewed with the noble hop Saaz, which is true to the style.   Noble hops are mellower than most varieties and give the beer a light, clean taste.  German Pilsners include Hallertauer, Hallertauer Mittelfrüh, Tettnanger, Styrian Goldings, Spalt, Perle, and Hersbrucker hops. 

We all know the all-American lager Budweiser, right?  No, it is not a Pilsner but its name has spawned much controversy and lawsuits from what some have dubbed the “original Budweiser” Czechvar Pilsner.  Yes, Czechvar is still brewed under the name Budweiser Budvar in the Czech Republic but Anhueser-Busch and Brewery Budweiser Budvar have agreed to market Budvar as Czechvar in the US and many other countries so Budweiser can keep its name and remain the icon of American beer.  So try a six-pack of Czechvar.  You can find it at a few stores in ABC land.

Some other examples of Czech Pilsners you can find at ABC are Samuel Adams “Noble Pils”, Sierra Nevada “Summerfest”, Oskar Blues “Mama’s Little Yella Pils”, Lagunitas “Pils”, and of course Pilsner Urquell.  Some German ones include Victory “Prima Pils”, North Coast “Scrimshaw Pilsner”, Carlsberg Lager, St. Pauli Girl, and Becks.  Yes, German Pilsner is the most widely consumed lager in Germany. 

So, break out your tall Pilsner glasses, grill up some nice fish or poultry and crack open a cold Prima Pils or Summerfest and enjoy!

--Adam

Beer blogger Adam Shugan is assistant manager at our (Archer Road) Gainesville store.