Pilsner Urquell - Plzensky Prazdroj, a. s.

hopsolutely

Ontario (Canada)

3.83/5  rDev +7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 4

Having made a "pilgrimage" to Plzen 12 years ago, long before I discovered the joys of "c" hops, this can is definitely a trip down memory lane. Seems odd not to rate the archetype of the style with 5's across the board, but truth is there are other hoppier and crisper pilsners that I now prefer. Odd...

Pours a surprisingly oily, brassy golden colour with a massive white head that dissipates quickly. Bready aroma is not as Saaz-centric as I remember from draught in the Czech Republic. Although I only received the can as a gift yesterday, unfortunately no telling how old it is... The taste is more pleasing, with a flavourful grain foundation and decently crisp hop ending. The finish lingers longer than I remember and emphasizes noble hops.

Still a benchmark beer for the style, but wouldn't always be my first choice.

Serving type: can

12-22-2012 18:58:01 | More by hopsolutely

jaswilson2

South Carolina

2/5  rDev -44.1%

05-25-2013 03:08:45 | More by jaswilson2

mcewesr

Pennsylvania

2.5/5  rDev -30.2%

05-24-2013 17:07:40 | More by mcewesr

stella77artois

New York

4.25/5  rDev +18.7%

05-24-2013 11:49:21 | More by stella77artois

micromaniac129

Pennsylvania

3.94/5  rDev +10.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4

Bought this at the Wegmans so as far as freshness...unk.
Drinks good. I used to buy this by the case until I started reviewing beers. this particular beer was refreshing but had a bit of cloying in it's flavor.
The golden color was very clear mild carbonation and a thin head.
The aroma smelled nice. Tart and spicy from saaz hops I'm sure but light and not very assertive.
The taste was loike the nose. Sharp and malty with a fairly desent hop taste. Hops are spicy and tart.
Drinks pretty smooth with a dry and semi bitter finish.
A good beer well made and simple.

Serving type: bottle

05-24-2013 10:57:44 | More by micromaniac129

Ciocanelu

Romania

2.75/5  rDev -23.2%

05-23-2013 07:08:26 | More by Ciocanelu

kvnstfrd

Missouri

4.5/5  rDev +25.7%

05-23-2013 03:09:04 | More by kvnstfrd

billbeers

Pennsylvania

3/5  rDev -16.2%

05-22-2013 17:30:33 | More by billbeers

InfernoBoss

California

2.75/5  rDev -23.2%

05-22-2013 06:15:27 | More by InfernoBoss

GinsuDave

Michigan

3.75/5  rDev +4.7%

05-21-2013 23:22:23 | More by GinsuDave

pin

Australia

1.5/5  rDev -58.1%

05-21-2013 18:00:37 | More by pin

canders0927

Texas

2.5/5  rDev -30.2%

05-21-2013 15:44:16 | More by canders0927

KingBiscuit

Illinois

3.75/5  rDev +4.7%

05-21-2013 01:58:01 | More by KingBiscuit

rabiddawg

North Carolina

4/5  rDev +11.7%

05-19-2013 17:58:45 | More by rabiddawg

CB2maltygoodness

District of Columbia

2.75/5  rDev -23.2%

05-19-2013 05:59:03 | More by CB2maltygoodness

Razr86

New York

4/5  rDev +11.7%

05-19-2013 04:56:33 | More by Razr86

Isotope

Texas

3.5/5  rDev -2.2%

05-19-2013 03:03:09 | More by Isotope

jbarletto

Massachusetts

3/5  rDev -16.2%

05-18-2013 22:00:41 | More by jbarletto

randylangford

Pennsylvania

4.25/5  rDev +18.7%

05-17-2013 12:55:30 | More by randylangford

enelson

Illinois

3.5/5  rDev -2.2%

05-16-2013 12:37:35 | More by enelson

Chrily

Norway

3.25/5  rDev -9.2%

05-16-2013 12:36:09 | More by Chrily

JoyHelfrich

Illinois

3.25/5  rDev -9.2%

05-15-2013 05:15:20 | More by JoyHelfrich

aty11b

Texas

3.75/5  rDev +4.7%

05-14-2013 01:18:59 | More by aty11b

mikeburd1128

New Jersey

3/5  rDev -16.2%

05-12-2013 17:14:31 | More by mikeburd1128

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

05-11-2013 18:36:27 | More by dougbassett