Czech Pilsner
The original golden lager: rich, malty and softly bitter, from Pilsen in Bohemia.
About the Czech Pilsner style
The Czech or Bohemian pilsner is the beer that started the pale lager revolution. First brewed at the Pilsner Urquell brewery in Pilsen in 1842, it was the first clear, golden lager and was copied everywhere.
Compared with the German version it is a touch richer and maltier, with a softer, rounder bitterness from Saaz hops and the very soft local water. Traditional brewing uses decoction mashing to build that malt depth.
Grain, hops and yeast
Malt and grain: Bohemian pilsner malt, decoction-mashed traditionally, for a fuller, bready-sweet malt character.
Hop character: Generous Saaz noble hops for a soft, spicy, floral bitterness and aroma.
Yeast and fermentation: A clean Czech lager yeast fermented cold, leaving a rounded, malty profile.
A typical Czech Pilsner runs 4.2 to 5.8% alcohol by volume, with a bitterness of about 30 to 45 IBU and a colour of 3.5 to 6 SRM. It is traditionally served in a pilsner glass or mug. These figures describe the usual range for the style; a given example may sit a little outside them.
Serving and carbonation
Serve a Czech pilsner cold, around 5 to 7 degrees Celsius, with a lively carbonation and a thick, creamy head, which the Czechs pour deliberately dense. Serve it fresh and well lagered so its soft malt and Saaz aroma are at their best.
Fermentation in brief
A clean Czech lager yeast fermented cold, around 9 to 12 degrees Celsius, then lagered for several weeks, gives the rounded malty profile. A traditional decoction mash and a long cold lager are what set the fuller Czech character apart from the drier German pilsner.
Classic examples
Well-known commercial examples of the style include Pilsner Urquell, Budweiser Budvar and Notch Session Pils. Tasting a benchmark example is the best way to understand what a style should be before brewing your own.
| Vital statistic | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Origin | Czech Republic (Bohemia) |
| Strength (ABV) | 4.2 to 5.8% |
| Bitterness (IBU) | 30 to 45 |
| Colour (SRM) | 3.5 to 6 |
| Traditional glass | Pilsner glass or mug |
Typical published ranges. Individual examples vary.
Set up your Czech Pilsner on tap
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Sources: BJCP Beer Style Guidelines