Pilsner Urquell - Plzensky Prazdroj, a. s.

ThisWangsChung

Maryland

3.95/5  rDev +10.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 5 | overall: 4

After procuring a 6 pack of Pilsner Urquell in the new "cold shipped" packaging, I have to say it's actually done a good job of preventing skunkiness. The skunk on the aroma has been replaced with mild diacetyl, crackery malt, and zesty hops - not fantastic, but miles better than the lightstruck aroma that plagued my other (single) bottle. The drinkability factor is still there, though admittedly my bottle seems to be low on hops. I'm upping scores all around; without a doubt this is the best macro lager in the business.

---

12 fl oz bottle into a pint glass.

A: Pours a perfectly clear golden straw color. The head is a fluffy two finger white color with surprising retention (for a macro lager). Good lacing, too.

S: AARGH LIGHTSTRUCK!!! Beneath the unfortunate skunk in the aroma, there lies simple pale malts and zesty noble hoppiness.

T: Thank smeg the flavor is a massive improvement. Initially, some fruity esters greet the palate, before the zesty, refreshing finish...AND IT'S GONE! Holy shit, did I finish the beer that quickly? It's hardly BCBS, but as far as simple macro-brewed lagers go, this one's the best in the business.

M: The palate feel seems perfectly tailored to provide crisp refreshment. There's this real sense of subtle delicacy that separates this not only from the BMC stalwarts, but numerous craft lagers as well. The bitter aftertaste is fantastic for what this beer is trying to accomplish.

O: A damn shame about the skunky nose - luckily the rest of the beer easily compensates by offering everything you could want in a proper pilsner. Could be a go to for me in cans/on tap.

Serving type: bottle

01-19-2013 20:15:30 | More by ThisWangsChung

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Missouri

4.5/5  rDev +25.7%

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Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -16.2%

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California

2.75/5  rDev -23.2%

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Michigan

3.75/5  rDev +4.7%

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Australia

1.5/5  rDev -58.1%

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Texas

2.5/5  rDev -30.2%

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3.75/5  rDev +4.7%

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North Carolina

4/5  rDev +11.7%

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District of Columbia

2.75/5  rDev -23.2%

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New York

4/5  rDev +11.7%

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Texas

3.5/5  rDev -2.2%

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3/5  rDev -16.2%

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Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +18.7%

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3.5/5  rDev -2.2%

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Norway

3.25/5  rDev -9.2%

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Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -9.2%

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Texas

3.75/5  rDev +4.7%

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mikeburd1128

New Jersey

3/5  rDev -16.2%

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dougbassett

Pennsylvania

3.55/5  rDev -0.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.75

One of the "1001 Beers You Must Taste Before You Die" -- #23 of the ones I've reviewed here.

This is a favorite beer of mine, though I've never had it on tap and I suspect I might bump my score up a bit if I ever get the chance (this is the sort of beer that's really meant to be drunk fresh out of a keg). While not the best Pilsner out there, it's probably my personal reference point for the style -- when I'm trying another Pilsner and I want to decide what I think of it, I usually compare it mentally to this. I would also give somebody who never had a Pilsner and wanted to know what that was like a bottle of this, it's the best introduction to the style I know.

Interesting notes include the color, which is surprisingly golden, the very light nose of hops and yeast which is mapped in the flavors, and the lasting lightly bitter/hoppy finish.

It's not a beer that you need to spend a lot of time talking about, and I think nowadays it's even a little underrated as a result. It is what it is, but "what it is" is pretty good, I think.

Serving type: bottle

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eulerthegrape

California

3/5  rDev -16.2%

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3/5  rDev -16.2%

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Texas

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