Pilsner Urquell rant

You no doubt know this, but that is the euro-standard equivalent to our 12 oz bottle/can.

11.2 oz is 330ml.

 

Despite changes ownership, this beer seems fairly consistent. I just think the times have passed them by. One of the "imports" that many often looked to in the past (for me that was the 80s) when other local options were mostly AALs, there are so many other things (styles) to choose from and even good american Pilsners.

Still like one on a hot day.

One irony is those "expensive" imports from the 80s are now cheaper than most domestic craft.

 

@rebelguy , can I add my rant? Pilsner Urquell definitely took a step in the right direction with their recent freshness initiative. I also applaud using brown bottles vs. green bottles. Why did they not eliminate the process of pasteurization as part of this initiative? I know they have delivered a number of unpasteurized kegs periodically to the US over the past year or so. If the bottled PU is being shipped cold as part of their Freshness Initiative, why wasn’t pasteurization nixed?

Cheers!

 

Can't speak with any real generalization here, but for me it had been an issue of freshness. In the past few years every time I'd ordered it I've been disappointed and kicked myself. I haven't had it since these new freshness initiatives spoken of, but I imagine most people had been getting a hold of fresher, better tasting beer of similar taste & quality.

That said, I hope they do turn things around.

 

I really dig their initiatives... and looking forward to finding some brown bottles... and if I am really lucky really digging to find a chance for some unfiltered on tap... I know some on the radar... and while those fret and drool over Toppling Goliath or Hill Farmstead or latest and greatest... this is a beer I am truly dying to try someday...

 

The green bottle is the problem. Many avoid ordering if they don't know how the bottle was handled. I have to say that I haven't had a US made pilsner that is as good as PU when it's fresh and taken care of.

 

Hopefully more Czech breweries will follow. I would love to see Budvar and Golden Pheasant switch to brown bottles.

 

The first tiny baby steps on the road back to greatness.
Since limiting itself to the single H-strain yeast and stainless steel fermenters (from the traditional wood) Pilsner Urquell is a far far cry from what it once was.

 

Not to mention the .8 oz isn't all that noticeable. I've never been bothered by the 11.2 oz bottles.

 

I imagine that it has something to do with the extended shelf life of the beer, which would keep Miller distributors from buying back old stock. I say this because I've worked at two liquor stores that did not see tremendous sales of Pilsner Urquell (even though I did my part in trying to sell the beer), and some of the beer would sit in the cooler/on the shelf for six months. Of course, I could be mistaken.

With that said, I'm with you on stopping the pasteurization of US Pilsner Urquell. I'm legitimately 3 years away from a vacation to Europe, and some unpasteurized Pilsner Urquell would help in increasing my patience.

 

Are you referring to the close-out at Yankees? I also grabbed as much as I could. Anyhow, Pilsner Urquell is a staple in my fridge and absolutely love the beer since the freshness initiative. I can hardly wait to grab some when the new brown bottles arrive on the market around here.

 

I've always enjoyed PU. However, since I've become more craft oriented Euro imports seldom make it into my home. When I'm at a Czech restaurant PU is one of my staples though.

I'm not a fan of the 11.2 ounce bottle, in a 12 pack that's the equivalent of only 11 12 ouncers. It might be the Euro standard but I feel the North American market is big enough they could use the standard 12 ounce bottle for export to here. When I reach for my final sip I find it's not there.

 

Damn good beer if you get it in a pack that hasn't been light struck. If they switched completely over to cans or brown bottles I'd be all over this beer especially come spring time. It's great on draft.

 

If not brown bottles, then why not a switch to a six pack box instead of a bottle carrier? Crown Valley, out of St. Genevieve Mo. uses these along with brown bottles to prevent light struck syndrome. I've not had a "skunk" problem with the 12 packs of Moosehead or Heineken because of the box. The six pack boxes are the same type of cardboard that's used in carriers. They're easy to handle because of the cutouts for your hands. I think this is a win/win for everyone. I would be willing to buy beers that are traditionally bottled in green glass, sold in these types of six packs. Bet y'all would too.

 

Urquell has been a fairly hot product in our store recently, though I can't speak for sales in other retailers. The new packaging/cans are a huge improvement IMHO.

Had it on tap last week and it was f-ing amazing! I think that good pilsners are often under-valued in today's beer scene