Pilsner Urquell is one of the most famous beers in the world and many would argue it’s the original golden lager as, after all, “Pilsner Urquell” means Original Pilsner. But what is its origin story, how is it brewed and how has Pilsner Urquell the beer evolved (if at all) from its invention in 1842 in the town of Plzen, Czech Republic?

On this episode of the “All About Beer” podcast, we talk to Brewmaster Emeritus and Plzen native Václav Berka about the history of golden lager from the Czech perspective and how Pilsner Urquell conquered the world and brought Czech lager and drinking traditions to mankind.

Listen to the whole conversation where you download podcasts including Apple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon, and Overcast.

For original articles or to read the vast archives check out All About Beer.  Follow us on Instagram and Threads @allaboutbeer. Support our journalism by visiting our Patreon Page.

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Em Sauter
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Em Sauter is an Advanced Cicerone®, cartoonist, author, beer reviewer, international beer judge and public speaker who runs the award winning website Pints and Panels, which focuses on visual beer education. Her first book "Beer is for Everyone! (of Drinking Age)" was published in 2017 by One Peace Books. Her second book "Hooray for Craft Beer!" was released in April 2022 with Brewers Publications. Em is also co-host of the All About Beer Podcast. She lives in New England with her husband Matt and two cats- Milbo and The Geen.

tse
Don Tse

Living near seven malthouses, Don Tse is a freelance beer and malt writer and consultant known globally as The Don of Beer. He has been active in craft beer for over 25 years and has famously sampled and written tasting notes on almost 27,000 different beers. He is the co-host of the All About Beer podcast. Don has also written for magazines and presented on beer in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Ukraine and Singapore.  Nobody in those countries thinks his jokes are funny.