Hello everybody and welcome back to the Brew Review!
We head across the pond again, but this time stopping in the town of Pilsen in the Czech Republic. Coming off a mediocre tasting from from the Netherlands I had big hopes to find something a little less awkward and a little more pleasing to the palate with Pilsner Urquel. I definitely need something to boost my opinion of these imported beers, I mean I haven’t ever been extra impressed with any of them.
Think about it. Corona is meh, Fosters requires you to be looking for a specific taste, Guinness people either love or hate, Heineken gets skunked quickly. There are obviously a ton more imports out there to be had, but I haven’t come across one that just knocks my socks off. Comment Now –> What is the best import you have ever had and why?
My review
The Package
Again, why do these foreigners love the skunky green bottle? Stop it! The label on the Pilsner is nice and traditional. It makes you feel like this is a little home brew. You have your wax stamp, family crest, and town name printed on the label which makes if feel quaint, like you are supporting a friend not a big brewery.
The Pour
I could not believe how clear this beer was. It is more see through than the water that comes out of my tap. Damn Valpo water. You get a nice thick bright white head on the pour than dissipates into a thin ring of head that laces it’s way down the glass with you.
The Nose
Floral. Very floral on the nose.
The Palate
Again I am left with an unsatisfied thirst for more. Much like the Grolsch; Pilsner Urquel was able to captivate my taste buds and make me want to drink another, but it wasn’t really because I liked it. It was more because it is so crisp and undeniably refreshing. However the bitterness and skunkyness of this beer is going to turn a ton of folks off. I would be willing to bet that at least 6 out of 10 of you would not like this beer. It also resembles Hanz a little bit, a reference from the Grolsch review.
The body of the Pilsner Urquel is very light and goes down incredibly smooth. I get a Starburst / apple kind of sweetness that is really refreshing and provides a real crisp finish. If you find this beer around drink it, but this is another one that I say there is no need to go out looking for.
So 3 or 4 import reviews done and I am still looking for the one you must have. Let’s hope I find it soon.
The Rating
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3 out of 5 beers
The Discussion
Let me know your favorite import and why. Also tell me what you think of Pilsner Urquel and how my rating stacks up for it. If you liked this review I suggest subscribing to our site so you can get all of our posts sent to you directly via email.
I have to be honest, this review does not make me want to drink this beer. For starters, I agree with you, green bottles make me not want to even try it. Also, I’m not looking for an import to be refreshing. When I am doing yard work and get thirsty I will reach for a Bud Light to get a refreshing beer, not pay twice as much for an import. In imports, and more expensive beers in general, I am looking for something not necessarily refreshing but something more complex and with more flavor than the standard domestic lights, not something similar.
My favorite import would have to be Dos Equis Amber. Two kinds of beer I really enjoy are Mexican beers and beers with a nice amber color. This is by far the best combination of the 2 that I’ve tasted. I don’t know the flavors or what its made with but it hits the right spot for me.
I do like this beer but I have to agree with you adam, as imports go it is not my fav but all in all a good beer. Ryan I also like Dos Equis. It is a fine beer to drink.
I love Dos Equis Amber so much. It is by far my favorite import. Hey Jay, I picked up a new Sam Adam’s for the Bowl tomorrow that I am going to bring for us to taste.
Hey Adam,
Give Kronenburg 1664 a taste. I hate the fact that it’s brewed in France, and that it is packaged in your hated green bottle, but it is my favorite lager.
Uncle Joe,
Will do. Is it pretty common? I am not sure I have seen it before.
I also need to get some Yuengling shipped up here.
Adam
Adam,
I have found it in one place down here. Maybe up north it is more available. I first had it in London in 2005. I’m not familiar with it’s contents, I just like the taste. It’s about 7.99 a six pack down here. If it is unavailable up there I will try to bring some when I come up this summer. I’m surprised Yuengling isn’t up there? I’m not too big of a fan. I can bring some also if need be.
I will keep my eye out for it. And it does stink that Yeungling isn’t available up here. I really like it, but that may be a side effect of not being able to get it.
I found it at wise guys
Yeah but how does it compare to Schlitz Beer? The beer that made Milwaukee famous simply because it tastes so good.
Schlitz was hugely popular, but they ruined themselves by trying to “modernize” their beer process ultimately making bad beer that ruined their business. I just read about it in a book called Tasting Beer.