{"id":17675,"date":"2021-02-28T09:39:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-28T07:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fromplacetoplace.travel\/?p=17675"},"modified":"2021-02-21T15:30:43","modified_gmt":"2021-02-21T13:30:43","slug":"pilsner-urquell-brewery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fromplacetoplace.travel\/czech-republic\/plzen\/pilsner-urquell-brewery\/","title":{"rendered":"Pilsner Urquell – Guided tour of the brewery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Plzen and beer!!! The world-famous Pilsner Urquell has been brewed in Plzen since 1842. We went in search of traces on a guided tour of the Pilsner Urquell brewery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

During our visit to the historical underground of Plzen, we had already learned something about the city and its beer. It’s hard to believe, but there was a time when Plzen had the worst beer in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the beginning of the 19th century, the townspeople with brewing rights decided that this had to change. They wanted to build a new brewery and brew a modern bottom-fermented beer there. But the people of Plzen didn’t really know what they were doing, so in 1842 the Bavarian Josef Groll was appointed the first brewmaster of the Civic Brewery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Bierpferdewagen\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Groll was quite successful. Shortly after his arrival in Plzen, the first golden Plzner beer was available. He brewed Pilsner Urquell, which has been registered as a trademark since 1859. The beer was a revolution among beers in its time. Refreshing, spicy-tart and with a beautiful color, it enchanted the people in Plzen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Firmenbesichtigung<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Only a little later, the first barrels of beer reached Prague. In the pub U Pinkas\u016f (still exists today) it was served and enthusiastically received.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1873, the first barrels were shipped to the United States. A really risky venture. The beer could not be transported in refrigerated tanks, as is customary today. These did not yet exist. And so the barrels went on the road with the hope of not arriving with spoiled beer. It was a success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The production volume grew and grew. In 1913\/14, they brewed 1 million hectoliters a year for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Brauereigeschichte<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In 1996, the Pilsner Urquell Brewery already exported the beer to 50 countries, and here, too, demand increases year after year. And of course it is not only sold in barrels, but also in the typical green bottles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After several changes of ownership, Pilsner Urquell has belonged to the Japanese brewery group Asahi Beer since December 2016.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pilsner Urquell brewery tour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We reach the grounds of the Pilsner Urquell brewery via a bridge-like footbridge that runs over a warehouse. Behind it is a large open area that is freely accessible. This is also where the brewery’s visitor centre is located, where the guided tours start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Weg<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We didn’t have to wait long for our guided tour in German to begin. There are several guided tours in different languages offered here every day. These are often well booked, so it is advisable to reserve tickets online in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Besucherzentrum<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While you wait, you can look around the large visitor centre and, of course, watch a promotional film of the brewery. I found the motorbike and the replica of a house much more exciting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n