![where did pilsner beer originate where did pilsner beer originate](https://vinepair.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/pilsner-explainer-social.jpg)
Saaz is one of the so-called "noble" hops of Europe: the four varieties of hops which are considered acceptable for use in continental lagers and which are characterized by a soft, mellow bitterness and a delicious aroma. The strong hop character of Pilsner Urquell comes from a particular variety of Czech hops named Saaz. They can also impart unique flavors according to the specific type of hops that are used. Hops lend bitterness to beer in order to balance out the sweetness of the malt. Even today, Pilsner Urquell still uses barley grown exclusively in either Bohemia (western Czech Republic) or Moravia (central Czech Republic). Pilsner malt, as it is now known, is the lightest base malt commonly used by brewers and creates a beer that is light in color and body but retains a good, sweet malty flavor. To achieve this he dried the malt at the lowest temperature possible so that it wouldn't acquire a dark color or heavy, roasted flavor during the malting process. Josef Groll's vision was to create a beer that was light, smooth, and exceedingly easy to drink. To prepare it for brewing, the barley is soaked in water then rapidly dried - a process known as "malting." The flavor, color, and texture of beer are largely dependent on the type of malted barley used to brew it. The sugars in beer are derived from barley (sometimes with the help of "adjuncts" like corn sugar or rice). Let's take a look at its four main components: barley, hops, yeast, and water.Īlcohol is created when sugars are fermented by yeast. Pilsner Urquell is, in fact, unique in just about ever way that a beer can be. But don't make the mistake of thinking that is Pilsner Urquell is just another expensive lager. With the hundreds of imported lagers on the American market nowadays it's easy to overlook the original Pilsner. Beer from Groll's brewery was known reverently as Pilsner urquell - "pilsner from the original source." However, the German brewers were conscientious in giving credit where credit was due.
![where did pilsner beer originate where did pilsner beer originate](https://www.insidehook.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/summer_beer.jpg)
Pilsner-style breweries soon started popping up throughout Germany. German brewers, who had been busy developing their own unique lagers, were quick to imitate the bold, hoppy style of the Bohemian import. Groll's new product, which was called Pilsner after its hometown, was a hit in the Bohemian capital of Prague and was soon exported to beer-crazy Germany. The yeast was known as lager yeast, after the practice of storing (or "lagering") the beers they produced for extended periods of time at cold temperatures. This new type of yeast allowed beer to ferment at cool temperatures (50-60 degrees) producing clean, crisp, refreshing beers that stood in stark contrast to the dark, cloudy ales that were the standard brew of the day. He combined these local products with a new strand of brewer's yeast imported from Germany. A town brewer named Josef Groll created a light, clear beer using hops and barley grown in the surrounding countryside.
![where did pilsner beer originate where did pilsner beer originate](https://theshopcity.com/800/600/https/www.drink-shop.ch/media/image/e7/35/26/Pilsner-Urquell_600x600.jpg)
Now part of the modern-day Czech Republic, Bohemia at that time lay within the sprawling Austro-Hungarian Empire and Plzen was known by its German name of Pilsen. The brew that would eventually launch the most popular beer style on earth originated in 1842 in the Bohemian town of Plzen.