Pilsner Urquell
Plzeňský Prazdroj

Pilsner UrquellPilsner Urquell
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From:
Plzeňský Prazdroj
 
Czechia
Style:
Bohemian / Czech Pilsner
Ranked #217
ABV:
4.4%
Score:
82
Ranked #24,827
Avg:
3.63 | pDev: 15.98%
Reviews:
1,724
Ratings:
4,511
Status:
Active
Rated:
Thursday at 10:25 PM
Added:
Sep 10, 2000
Wants:
  132
Gots:
  998
While most lagers give away most of their taste profile in the front of the mouth, Pilsner Urquell only hints at its flavour there. Instead, it develops in the middle, followed by a refreshing, clean finish and balanced aftertaste, practically inviting you to have another.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by allergictomacros:
Photo of allergictomacros
Reviewed by allergictomacros from Canada (ON)

2.62/5  rDev -27.8%
look: 4 | smell: 2 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Straight out of the bottle, it smells a little skunky maybe, and some herbal hop-type aromas come through. Pours a clear dark gold with a medium, dissipating head and small bubbling bubbles. Less skunk, more hops now. Not nearly as aromatic as I had hopped. <-- pun intended

First on the tastebuds is some sharp bitterness, fading to a residual bitter aftertaste. Very clean, straightforward flavour - not noticing any fruit or malts or anything hiding in the back.

I'm smelling a bit of malt now, but very subdued. Taste is still hops only.

I guess there's nothing wrong with this. Nothing bad about it or anything. I'm not exactly a pils expert, but it seems somewhat one-dimensional.
Jan 04, 2006
More User Ratings:
Photo of turfy
Reviewed by turfy from Texas

3.48/5  rDev -4.1%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
11.2 oz bottle poured out a clear straw body and pure white head. Faint nose. Initial taste of bitter hops followed by some malt. Feel just a tad shy of medium, with crisp carbonation. A nice beer.
Thursday at 10:25 PM
 
Rated: 3.67 by Mickeyharris from Alabama

Wednesday at 11:43 PM
 
Rated: 3.84 by BEER-NICK from Pennsylvania

Feb 18, 2024
 
Rated: 3.96 by TheIPAHunter from California

Feb 13, 2024
 
Rated: 2.17 by Greg34

Feb 01, 2024
 
Rated: 3.54 by Bhubbard34 from Pennsylvania

Jan 29, 2024
 
Rated: 3.96 by Supper1

Jan 29, 2024
Photo of Tolianych_Pivomnabuhanych
Reviewed by Tolianych_Pivomnabuhanych from Vermont

5/5  rDev +37.7%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 5 | overall: 5
I can't believe some reviewers rate THE ORIGINAL PILSNER below 5 points. This is the ONE and ONLY Pilsner that started the trend.

Everything about this brew is perfect. This is HEAVENLY AMBROSIA!!!

Everyone else, go learn. German and other international "pilsner-style" brews are lame knockoffs.
Dec 30, 2023
Photo of Hephaistos
Reviewed by Hephaistos from Netherlands

3.17/5  rDev -12.7%
look: 3.5 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
The legend has this started the pilsner style of beer. In my younger days I did not know better if this was typical beer.

Pretty darkbrown 330 ml bottle, 4,4 % abv. poored in a straight Palm glass at around 5 degrees celcius.
Opens with a bit of smoke. Medium carbonation, gettinf flat soon, but low on the foam. 1 finger white head, poor retention. Clear yellow colour, a bit on the pale sight.
Smell, malts, but of humid cellar smell.
Taste: first you got the malts, they are not very pleasant, than slight notes of honey-like sweetness take over, before the very bitter hops kick in.
Mouthfeel not unpleasant and at 4,4% this is of course very drinkable.
If you like hoppy-bitterness, this is a very good pilsner for you.
Dec 29, 2023
Photo of MaltsOfGlory
Reviewed by MaltsOfGlory from Oregon

3.97/5  rDev +9.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
16oz can

Pours a finger of white head into my Willi. Retention is poor and the head fades within a minute. Lacing is ok. Body is golden orange, crystal clear, with minimal nucleation. Looks alright.

Nose is very bready and malty. Definitely some spicy noble hops hiding in here. It seems somewhat balanced, but definitely tilts towards the maltier side of the style. Smells nice.

Flavor definitely leans bready and malty as well, though as with the nose there is a significant hop presence that quickly comes in - floral, tiny bit of spice. A touch maltier than I would like for the style, but the hops are distinguished, and they add a somewhat unique touch. All in all the taste is good.

Carbonation is on the higher side. Somewhat light bodied, but the carbonation has it drinking a little fuller than that. Despite being malty, this is incredibly clean and attenuated, though unfortunately not very crisp. Bitterness is somewhat low. Altogether the mouthfeel is nice enough.

Drinkability is pretty good.

Not exactly what I want out of a Pilsner, but it’s very flavorful and pretty tasty.
Dec 25, 2023
 
Rated: 2.95 by zard4me

Dec 23, 2023
Photo of nwalke16
Reviewed by nwalke16 from Michigan

3.01/5  rDev -17.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 2.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
The taste itself is not my cup of tea, but it is a classic Czech beer that is easy drinking. It's just okay though and definitely not the best beer that I've had.
Dec 23, 2023
 
Rated: 3.91 by Iggy88 from Ohio

Dec 21, 2023
Photo of foamy-afterglow
Reviewed by foamy-afterglow from Canada (ON)

4.04/5  rDev +11.3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
The world's first pilsner dates back to 1842 from the town of Pilsen in the Czech Republic.

Lovely scent with some citrus. Crisp flavour with a little complexity. Strong hoppy bitterness and lengthy finish.
Dec 11, 2023
Photo of DaleHolmberg
Rated by DaleHolmberg from Ohio

3.42/5  rDev -5.8%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
Great tasting bright beer. Not easy to find so I get some when I can. Clean, fresh and tasty.
Dec 10, 2023
Photo of LeinenkugelDrinker
Reviewed by LeinenkugelDrinker from Nevada

3.95/5  rDev +8.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 4 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4
It’s the original Pilsner, and truly is great. Strong bitter flavor in a light and highly carbonated body. Relatively cheap, available at most stores and gas stations. Cool cap design. Down the hatch!!
Dec 06, 2023
 
Rated: 4.67 by KeithGreatNorth from Canada (BC)

Nov 27, 2023
Photo of MissouriMule
Reviewed by MissouriMule from Missouri

4.7/5  rDev +29.5%
look: 5 | smell: 5 | taste: 5 | feel: 3 | overall: 4.5
Pours light straw with a tall white head that lingers.

This beer is moderately aromatic. The small is sweet malt with spicy floral overtones.

The balance of the flavors matches the aroma. There is sweet maltiness, but the bitterness of the hops takes over quickly and remains in the aftertaste.

The nose and the taste are excellent. The only letdown is the thin mouthfeel. The feel is not enough of a deficit to put me off this beer, though.

This is a solid classic Pilsner. It will not revolutionize your thinking about beer, but it will take you back to basics in a good way.
Nov 23, 2023
Pilsner Urquell from Plzeňský Prazdroj
Beer rating: 82 out of 100 with 4511 ratings