Pilsner Urquell - the skunk is gone

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by yemenmocha, Dec 12, 2012.

Tags:
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
Page 1 of 3
  1. yemenmocha

    yemenmocha Grand Pooh-Bah (4,116) Jun 18, 2002 Arizona
    Pooh-Bah

    On a whim I picked up a new fully enclosed packaging version of the Pilsner Urquell when I saw the freshness initiative stuff on the packaging. Product was at a merchant that refrigerated them. Remember this thread:
    http://beeradvocate.com/community/t...es-major-freshness-initiative-campaign.28485/

    The enclosed bottles are different in shape than I recall for PU, especially the neck. Freshness date was for May 2013, so basically 6 months out.

    To my surprise the oily, herbal hop note was there but with none of the skunk. I couldn't decide if the flavors were overall the same as I had when I had it a couple years before, but the skunk was certainly gone.

    I know, I know, it's a BMC owned product but I've enjoyed the beer for decades on draft whenever I found it. And I certainly appreciate Noble Pils, Prima Pils, and others but a part of me likes to return to this one every so often.

    Looks like I will be more often now. Cheers to anyone else who enjoys the Pilsner Urquell. :slight_smile:
     
    #1 yemenmocha, Dec 12, 2012
    szmnnl99, BedetheVenerable, CelticAleMan and 3 others like this.
  2. YogiBeer

    YogiBeer Initiate (0) May 10, 2012 Illinois

    I would like to take full credit for this. Gave our Miller/Coors rep shit for this about 9 months ago... 3 months later, he told me about the new "freshness initiative."

    Donate all free beers to Yogibeer, plz.
     
    #2 YogiBeer, Dec 12, 2012
    BedetheVenerable, tronester, gueuzehead and 6 others like this.
  3. Tmappin

    Tmappin Pundit (929) Sep 25, 2008 Canada (NS)
    Trader

    They could solve their biggest problems by switching to either cans or brown glass... more cardboard still doesn't fix the stupidity of green bottles.
     
    #3 Tmappin, Dec 12, 2012
  4. jmgrub

    jmgrub Initiate (0) Nov 20, 2010 California

    Really pleased to hear this. Urquell was definitely one of my go-tos when I started drinking "better" beer. I moved away due to the skunkiness, but I would love to be able to pick up a 12er to bring to a party once in a while without worrying what the beer will taste like.
     
    #4 jmgrub, Dec 12, 2012
    BedetheVenerable, YogiBeer and yemenmocha like this.
  5. yemenmocha

    yemenmocha Grand Pooh-Bah (4,116) Jun 18, 2002 Arizona
    Pooh-Bah

    I agree but the other side of me realizes their bottle color & label are somewhat iconic for them. It just doesn't look the same. To me and I'd wager many others, it would be as odd as Guinness switching from the black cans to some other color.
     
    #5 yemenmocha, Dec 12, 2012
    BedetheVenerable likes this.
  6. yemenmocha

    yemenmocha Grand Pooh-Bah (4,116) Jun 18, 2002 Arizona
    Pooh-Bah

    Maybe I'm just overflowing with non-skunk enthusiasm, but it's incredibly drinkable for me tonight. I have a large PU logoed glass and woops... there went 4 bottles while watching the sunset. :slight_smile:
     
    #6 yemenmocha, Dec 12, 2012
    CASK1 and jmgrub like this.
  7. Bay01

    Bay01 Initiate (0) Nov 19, 2008 Illinois

    I've gotten lucky a couple times with fresh PU and it was great but I've been burned by the skunk too many times to buy it for a long time. Sounds like it's time to give it another shot.
     
    #7 Bay01, Dec 12, 2012
  8. herrburgess

    herrburgess Grand Pooh-Bah (3,077) Nov 4, 2009 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    My first 6-pack of the "freshness initiative" Urquell seemed to get better with each one. And, I agree, the absence of any skunkiness is almost shocking at first. Not that I missed it at all. Rather I quickly grew to love the obvious freshness and the way that spicy hop finish lingered and lingered. I was 4 in in no time as well. Making me thirsty....
     
    #8 herrburgess, Dec 12, 2012
    yemenmocha likes this.
  9. ShogoKawada

    ShogoKawada Initiate (0) May 31, 2009 Pennsylvania

    You bought a BMC product? aren't you switch-hitting??? :wink:
     
    #9 ShogoKawada, Dec 12, 2012
    tjensen3618 and fauxpunker like this.
  10. jmgrub

    jmgrub Initiate (0) Nov 20, 2010 California

    I see that you are from AZ...Urquell will probably be a great beer for you when the Summer...err Spring heat comes around this coming year.
     
    #10 jmgrub, Dec 12, 2012
    yemenmocha likes this.
  11. NickMunford

    NickMunford Pooh-Bah (2,094) Oct 2, 2006 Wyoming
    Pooh-Bah

    I've always liked Urquell, but I only ever had it on tap before. I'll have to give the bottles a try now.
     
    #11 NickMunford, Dec 12, 2012
    yemenmocha likes this.
  12. Huhzubendah

    Huhzubendah Grand Pooh-Bah (3,566) Oct 29, 2007 District of Columbia
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    #12 Huhzubendah, Dec 12, 2012
    yemenmocha likes this.
  13. yemenmocha

    yemenmocha Grand Pooh-Bah (4,116) Jun 18, 2002 Arizona
    Pooh-Bah

    Make sure it's the new ones that have the language about freshness initiative on the packaging, and of course these are the ones that are fully enclosed. Mine had an expiration date 6 months out as well.
     
    #13 yemenmocha, Dec 12, 2012
  14. Smakawhat

    Smakawhat Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,191) Mar 18, 2008 Maryland
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    The ones I had were quite tasty!
     
    #14 Smakawhat, Dec 12, 2012
    yemenmocha likes this.
  15. harrymel

    harrymel Initiate (0) Dec 15, 2010 Washington

    The cans are great as well. And very affordable.
     
    #15 harrymel, Dec 12, 2012
    yemenmocha likes this.
  16. yemenmocha

    yemenmocha Grand Pooh-Bah (4,116) Jun 18, 2002 Arizona
    Pooh-Bah

    Yes the distinctions aren't so clean any longer with all of the mergers and acquisitions. By that label I meant people having in their fridge MGD or Coors Light alongside some craft beers. That's not quite the same as someone having Spaten Optimator and Pilsner Urquel alongside some American craft beers. If the world consumes more Spaten, Pilsner Urquell, Hoegaarden, etc. then I'll certainly be happier than if they had consumed american adjunct lagers instead. :sunglasses:
     
    #16 yemenmocha, Dec 12, 2012
    BedetheVenerable likes this.
  17. yemenmocha

    yemenmocha Grand Pooh-Bah (4,116) Jun 18, 2002 Arizona
    Pooh-Bah

    I haven't seen them yet. Will keep an eager eye open for them. Thanks.
     
    #17 yemenmocha, Dec 12, 2012
  18. herrburgess

    herrburgess Grand Pooh-Bah (3,077) Nov 4, 2009 South Carolina
    Pooh-Bah

    If you have a chance, check out the short films on the brewery. Very cool stuff about their cellars, malt house, and -- my personal favorite -- barrel making (barrels hand crafted to *not* impart flavors of wood to the beer, but rather to round out the soft, clean flavors already present from the essentials...what a revolutionary concept!):

     
    #18 herrburgess, Dec 12, 2012
    yemenmocha likes this.
  19. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,242) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Freshness date of May 2013, I believe it's bottled five months prior, so that's some super fresh stuff you got there. I picked some up last spring/summer when they started the initiative. You're right, incredibly drinkable, and now I know it's fresh. Low alcohol too at 4.4% making it quite sessionable. I find I get less diacetyl in the bottle than I do on draft as well.
     
    #19 AlcahueteJ, Dec 12, 2012
    yemenmocha likes this.
  20. yemenmocha

    yemenmocha Grand Pooh-Bah (4,116) Jun 18, 2002 Arizona
    Pooh-Bah

    That was a nice treat. Thanks
     
    #20 yemenmocha, Dec 12, 2012
Page 1 of 3
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.