Pilsner Urquell

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Price: £3.45

Description The original Pilsner, brewed in Pilsen Bohemia since 1842, 4.4%. This beer and its contemporaries are responsible for every golden, cold served can of fizzy pop style cooking lager sold around the world today, the British Isles may have the water but Pilsen in Bohemia had the yeast and the hops. Beer became the staple drink for Northern Europe in the Middle ages after monasteries spread from Italy and Southern France. Monasteries were founded by St Benedict in 800 AD and were famous for their wealth of fine wines and spirits such as Benedictine. Alcohol was a requirement in the days when water caused infections such as cholera and typhoid. As the monastic order spread to Northern Europe wine growing was not an option, the climate of the Germanic states did not and still does not benefit the growth of vines. For this reason beer became the drink of the cold climate. For centuries beer looked like mud, but it came in pewter tankards so this didn't really matter. It could only be brewed in winter months when the temperature was cold enough for the yeast to ferment in the brewing vessels. In caves near Pilsen in the 1800s a new yeast strain was discovered that would ferment at exceptionally low temperatures at the bottom of the barrel this process became known as laagering and was perfected in 1842 by the makers of Pilsner Urquell where the original golden laagered beer was and still is produced. The beer was served in a glass and looked good making it an attractive prospect for export all over the world. Of course the quality of other lager has deteriorated as it has reached the furthest climbs. Pilsner Urquell is the definitive example of lager beer it is refreshing and crisp with a slightly sockish odour. The key is the saaz hops, a national treasure of Bohemia and copied the world over. The hop finish of this sweet lager beer is slightly bitter with a spicy dry finish, making a world beating beer. 33cl bottle.