Best Czech Pilsener

How about praga premium pils. They also make a dark lager. Konrad too makes a pilsner in bomber size bottles.

 

I have tried Rebel by Měšťanský pivovar Havlíčkův Brod and it was pretty good, and it is from the Czech Republic

 

Czechvar/Budvar if we are not counting Pilsner Urquell (my personal favorite actual Czech-Czech pilsner).

Golden Pheasant is another. It's solid but not incredible. Usually very cheap (most imports in the style are).

I've not had nor heard of this one, but it scores highly here: Koutska 12 Dvanactka

Eggenberg Svetly Lezak, another I've not had nor heard of, is another high-scorer in the style.

I know you asked for actual Czech ones, but Lazy Monk in Eau Claire, WI is run by a Czech family from the home country, and their pilsner is the closest I've had to Urquell from a US brewery. Ignore the reviews: people on BA don't know how to rate a pilsner.

 

If you ever get a chance to drink the unfiltered, unpasteurized PU, do it.

 

Uuuuuuuhm. What style are we talking about when you say "czech pils"? Any pale lagers from the czech republic?
Then, among my favorites would be: Koutska Dvanactka, Zavis, Bernard Kvasnicove, Svijansky Maz...
But there are many many more excellent ones.

 

I think Pilsner Urquell and Czechvar/Budvar are the only 2 I can think of. Like them both quite alot and that is the exported US bottle shop version I've sampled. I'm sure the unfiltered/unpasteurized from the source is even better.

 

Pilsner Urquell. Hands down for me. It's ubiquitous, usually pretty fresh, and canned or bottled in brown glass. All of which likely make it better at the point of consumption than its competitors.

I had some Praga from a sealed case recently which was likely pretty fresh and enjoyed it.

I like Budvar, but it is hit or miss for me.

 

Pilsner Urquell, with Budvar a close second. I wonder what beauties we're missing out on that are only available in the Czech Republic.

 

Pilsner Urquell for me. The "skunking" issue that many BAs like to bemoan (which in all honestly I think is/was largely overblown) has mostly been eliminated thanks to their "express cold shipping" technique and the switch to brown bottles. A fresh case of pilsner urquell right from the cooler is a really wonderful thing.

All that said though, overall I prefer the German Pilsner style over the Czech one.

 

I enjoy Pilsner Urquell and Staropramen.

 

My favorite is Staropramen. It actually has a pretty prominent noble hop bitterness, definitely more hop character than Pilsner Urquel. Look for the completely enclosed 12-pack box to avoid any skunk, and the box has clearly marked bottled-on and best-by dates.

I will admit that Czech pilsners I have tried consists of only Pilsner Urquel, Budvar [or Czechvar in the US], and Staropramen, but I suspect most people in the US have had a similar level of exposure. I am working on trying more as I can find them reasonably fresh.

I've heard good things about Golden Pheasant, but I have always passed it by because I can never find a best-by date.

Agreed. This site's ratings are pretty worthless for imported pilsners.

 

Klaster once exported to the US. I believe they pulled away from that to concentrate on Europe and Asia. Klaster and its dark companion were very good. Do you see Klaster in England?

 

No, I don't recognise it at all. I'll keep an eye out for it when I'm at the beer shop next though.

 

Krušovice Imperial

 

My favorite imported Bohemian Pilsner is Golden Pheasant if you can find it fresh.

It has been a very long time since I have had a fresh Golden Pheasant.

Cheers!

 

I'd go with Czechvar/Budvar. Years ago I wouldn't have hesitated to say Pilsner Urquell back when they lagered in wood. When you got it fresh on tap it was untouchable.

 

Quite partial checking my notes to

Konrad Jocker Svìtlý Ležák 14°

And the Koutska 10 and 12

However, I had that on tap as opposed to bottled commercial versions which was a real treat.

While listed under Czech Pilsner here are polotmavy which is an amber style Czech brew. It's one of my all time favorite beers, you may want to give it a shot if you can find it.

I am hoping to be in Prague next year... Lord willing...

 

Kout is very nice. Very rare to see it here though
Bohemia Regent is a bit underated imo
PU is always reliable
Budvar too

 

I really hope you get to go. What a beautiful (and affordable) city to visit. Oh yeah, the beer ain't too bad either.

Jealous you got to try the Koutska 10 and 12 on tap. The reviews of those sound great!