I’m posting this in GQ because it’s a question. If someone thinks it should be moved, no offense taken.
Time Magazine is reporting the takeover of the Czech Republic’s two top brewers by the South African firm SAB.
And Time thinks the story is worth a whole page because one of the takeovers is Pilsner Urquell.
They say it’s the original bottom fermented Pils, or lager, and was first brewed in the Bohemian city of Pilsen in 1842. And it’s referred to as “The Rolls Royce of Beers.”
I’ve never seen that brand here. According to the story it’s established in Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Russa.
With all the brew experts on this board is there anyone with any experience/information on this product?
It is sold in the North America:
Pilsner Urquell USA (PU USA)
560 Sylvan Avenue
Engelwood Cliffs
New Jersey
USA
phone: +1 201 5696 728
fax: +1 201 5696 729
Distribution area: USA, Canada
The North America? Time to go to bed…or have another beer.
Whatever.
Thank You.
You can buy it at food lion
.
The world’s best beer is OPB, and you can quote me on that.
I don’t know why fortune smiles on some and lets the rest go free…
T
A warning, though. I’ve read that it doesn’t travel well. I’ve tried it before–I don’t recall thinking anything special of it. Then again, it was in a green bottle, which can tend to make beer skunky. Short of going to the Czech Republic to try some, I would recommend finding a bar that has it on tap, which would probably do it more justice than bottled.
Just this writer’s opinion… Pilsner Urquell is, in fact, the best beer known to man. I hope this takeover doesn’t change the beer! It can be purchased locally in several upscale ‘gourmet’ shops, as well as the more mainstream places such as Giant and Safeway.
I’m also partial to Grolsch, FWIW.
- Rick
Pilsner Urkell (intentionally spelled) is not even close to being the best beer, it is filth. No beer drinker with a respectable palate will drink anything in a green bottle. Now the typical “green bottle” beer (PU, Heiniken, Corona, Dos XX, Rolling Rock etc.) may be excellent off a tap in the brewery, but tastes marginally better than the fluid wrung out of a filthy bar rag in a bottle. This is undoubtedly due to light contamination, and spoiling, but nevertheless it doesn’t excuse anyone from holding it in reverence unless they hang out at the brewery. You can however buy Pilsner Urquell anywhere in the States that has a average selection. It is not uncommon by any means. I would be suprised to learn that it truly is the oldest bottom fermented pils. Beer has been brewed in so many ways for so long that 1842 seem quite recent for that to be true. I’d read the fine print carefully on that statistic before spilling it over a bet.
Ah, beer. My favorite subject.
Bullshit. Molson Canadian is an exceptional green bottled beer. So there.
“Your posting style resembles a cross between a spastic squirrel and one-handed ventriloquist.”
–Mullinator, paraphrased–
There has been a certain cretinous suggestion made as to the quality of all green-bottled beer, from a poster who is clearly not eponymously identified.
It has been my experience that other persons holding this view tend to prefer the darker, thicker beers, beers with names like Beamish Irish Cream Stout, beers that must be served with a knife and fork, beers that are, in fact, dredged from the bottom of ponds, fermented, and sold to the credulous as quality brews. In reality, the only contest these so-called beers could win is a density contest. This is also true of the fans thereof.
Now, I don’t know anything about the preferences of the particular poster (say that three times fast!) in question. I merely offer this as an observation.
- Rick
Now thats really funny, and creative. I’m impressed. Although completely inaccurate, Guinness, and all other stouts and bocks, float on top in layered drinks above lagers. Therefore are less dense, as are its drinkers.
UncleBeer far be it from me to cast aspersionson my dearest uncle, nor question his beer swilling skills, but you did choose to imbibe Old Style over Guinness and various other well-mannered brews.
It is true that my favorite beer is in the stout family. Samuel Smiths Oatmeal Stout. But my second favorite beer is a Hefe-weissen, there are a handful of excellent ones, but Hacker-Pschorr is the measuring stick. I also adore Lambics, Barley Wines, and Trappists, so my range in palate is quite fair.
Molson, while a tasty beverage when gupling it down fast, is a pretty mediocre brew. For some reason it isn’t as skunky tasting as its green bottle bretheren, and since Rolling Rock is one of the skunkiest I hesitate to cite freshness as the reason. If forced to drink a green bottle o’ swill I’d opt for Molson.
Ahh, Hacker-Pschorr. First beer I got drunk off of. Plus, the word “hacker” in the name so fascinated me that i was compelled to swipe an HP glass from the munich bar I was in.
The finest? Easy. “Yuengling” beer out of Pottsvile PA. Amazing place to tour as well.
Cartooniverse
If you want to kiss the sky, you’d better learn how to kneel.
Ummmm, nope. I was drinking Labatt from the tap. Uke was the Old Style guy.
Lambics. Ugh.
One of the most ancient styles of beer, Lambics are spontaneously fermented by wild airborne yeasts. This is a unique method in brewing today, but centuries ago, before brewers had an understanding of yeast, it was the only way in which beer was brewed. Lambics are aged in wood casks for up to 18 months, and oftentimes reinvigorated with a dose of fresh fruit. The result is tart and dry with enormous bouquet, and a soft champagne character, although some modern brewers have given into to public pressure and now produce sweeter versions. There are four main styles: Framboise (Raspberry); Gueuze (A mixture of unflavored vintages); Kriek (Cherry); and Peche (Peach).
If I want fruit, I’ll eat fruit. In beer it’s just wrong.
Trappists. Yup, I’ll drink a Chimay Grand Reserve any day.
Barley Wines. Pretty strong stuff and some of them even age nicely. Definitely not a brew to drink when you’re gonna have a bunch.
Hefe-weissens. Another one I can’t drink a lot of. The yeast sediment seems to get to me after a couple and some of them can be quite bitter. I do enjoy and occassional Ayinger Brau-Weisse, though.
Samuel Smith’s. Nut Brown Ale, Taddy Porter, Oatmeal Stout and their winter speciality, Winter Welcome are all great beers.
Rolling Rock is an abomination as are most American macro brews.
–UncleBeer, member of Beer Drinkers of America since 1990, Card #000001453–
Hey, quit with the Rolling Rock dissing!
It’s my favorite beer when I’m hitting a rock show, because it’s light as hell, won’t waste me (and I’m a total light-weight), and has a crisp, clean taste.
Sure, I love Guiness on tap, but that’s a fucking meal!
As for the OP, I’ve had the Pilsner before. Not bad, but not among my faves.
Yer pal,
Satan
Hey, here’s a message board related enitrely to beer.
http://forum.beer.com/
I just registered over there as unclebeer, of course, and I got a new e-mail account, unclebeer@beer.com
“Your posting style resembles a cross between a spastic squirrel and one-handed ventriloquist.”
–Mullinator, paraphrased–
Unc is correct about fruity beers…also about the fact that it was I who was polishing off the Old Styles that night.
“I LIKE to drink Old Style when I’m in Chicago,” I whimpered when buttonholed by my betters. Sorry, I’m fond of cheap beers. They’re what made this country great.
However, I stand with Satan as far as Rolling Rock is concerned…and remember, Cecil calls it a “brave little brew.”
Uke
IMHO, while Rolling Rock is o.k., Corona or Sol are fine at the beach and micro beers are alright at the brew pubs, my preference is for wine over beer.
But then I went to Germany (Berlin)…
The quality and taste of German beers, whether served in pubs or restaurants is beyond description. Even brews from the old east side are astounding.
My wife and I spent an entire afternoon in a beer garden near the Free University drinking wheat beers. Or an afternoon spent in a brew pub across from the Charlottenberg castle. The gals and guys there balanced on their arms huge trays filled with mugs of fresh brew.
I haven’t had the chance to taste the Czech brews but I heard that they are great as well.
Just my 2 cents.
I’ve had Pilsner Urquell, and thought that it was mightily skunky all three times. Of course, as noted, it does come in green glass. I’ve not been able to find anyplace with it on tap.
Hell, I’ll drink a Rolling Rock every once in a while. But I’ll drink a Schlitz every once in a while, too.
[plug]Actually, here in KC we have a brewery called Boulevard. They brew a pale ale that I am probably far too fond of. Also, they make a damned tasty Nutcracker Ale each winter. And a pretty good Irish Ale, too.[/plug]
Man, I’ve gotta start brewing my own stuff again.
Waste
Flick Lives!