Happy Birthday Pilsner - 165 Years of Clear Beer

The next time you take a sip of a clear, golden pilsner, you should thank a man named Josef Groll. No, he's not the guy that sold you the beer. He's the man that invented it.

Before October 5, 1842, the world drank beer that was dark and cloudy. On that day 165 years ago, a group of brewers tasted the world's first pilsner and things were never the same.

Josef had come to Pilsen, Bohemia (Now in the Czech Republic) from Bavaria. Using bottom-fermenting lager yeast from Munich and a new technique to make pale malt, Josef created a beer that was golden in color, clear and balanced perfectly with the region's native Saaz hops. This new golden beer was an immediate sensation and spread all over Europe, and eventually the World.

Josef's original beer is what we now know of as Pilsner Urquell, which means "original source of Pilsner" in German. Countless attempts have been made to copy this original, and many have succeeded quite well (Others have failed MISERABLY). Things have changed a bit for Pilsner Urquell over the years, but it is still one of the better pilsners available on the market and it is one of the best mass produced beers available in the world. The fresher you can get it, the better. If you ever get to travel to the brewery in Pilsen, try the unfiltered version; it might change your life. Otherwise, you can find it on tap and bottles all over the place in Seattle (Although, with such a competitive market for craft beer here, you seem to see this less often here compared to some cities).

If you want to learn just about everything there is to know about Pilsner Urquell and it's history, check out this link.

Get yourself out to any of the following bars to celebrate the 165th bday of Pilsner Urquell this Friday evening:

Contour
Murphy's
Nine Pound Hammer
College Inn Pub
Sully's

At these bars, there will be drink specials on Pilsner Urquell and an official toast master who at the appropriate time (it will vary by bar) will grab the patrons attention and hold an official toast to Pilsner Urquell, its heritage and its profound affect on the beer world. As part of the program festivities, consumers will receive Limited Edition Pilsner Urquell-branded Rocky Patel Cigars(which you won't be able to smoke in the bar...).

Nazdravi!