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TOUR OF THE PILSEN BREWERY – PILSNER URQUELL

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Don´t miss the tour of the brewery, visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists from all around the world every year! And it’s no wonder! The tour is proud holder of the award for the best brewery tour in Europe for 2024. The recognition was granted within the international World Travel Awards! Among other things, the tour will take you to see a modern brewhouse with a daily capacity of almost 3,000,000 beers , a packaging plant with a capacity of 120,000 bottles per hour , and you will taste unfiltered Pilsner Urquell straight from lagering kegs in the famous lagering cellars!

Get to know the unique story of Pilsner Urquell

Get acquainted with the history of the beer that changed the world – Pilsner Urquell, the first golden lager, which saw the light of day in 1842. It became popular mainly thanks to its typical full-bodied taste. Pilsner Urquell is still brewed using the same high quality Czech ingredients and the same original process. The original recipe has never changed, and that´s why our lager is unique. Take the tour of the Pilsner Urquell Brewery and find out more about how Pilsner Urquell is brewed. Visit the historical cellars and the packaging plant, get a closer look at the brewing process, and taste the beer at the end of the tour. The tour of the Pilsner Urquell Brewery will impress true beer lovers as well as visitors with a lukewarm relation to lager – come and see for yourselves.

What to expect during the tour

• Bottling facility – You will take a bus from the brewery courtyard to see the bottling facility one of the most modern of its type in Europe. You will see a line where beer is packaged into bottles at an impressive speed of 120,000 bottles per hour.
• Exhibition of ingredients – After visiting the packaging plant, you will take the biggest personal elevator in the Czech Republic to a unique panoramic cinema. You will get to know the secret of Pilsner Urquell brewing in a short film, and then you will find out with all your senses what ingredients are used to brew this lager.
• Brewhouses – While wandering through the beer production plant, you will also stop to look at historical brewing kettles from 1931 . You will also peek into a modern brewhouse from 2004 with a daily capacity of almost 3,000,000 beers, and naturally there will be a presentation of the entire Pilsner Urquell brewing process.
• People of Pilsner Urquell – Do you know how many people work on brewing the beer? It´s not only about the brewmaster. There are plenty of brewing professions without which you wouldn´t be able to drink Pilsner Urquell. You will find out what their everyday job involved and what was necessary for them to succeed. Diligence, enthusiasm and persistence are handed down from generation to generation in Pilsen.
• Brewery cellars – You will also visit the brewery cellars, which are 9 kilometres long. You will learn what a fermenting tub is and what we call a beer blanket. Plzeňský Prazdroj still brews some of its beer in these premises just like the first brewmaster, Josef Groll, did by fermenting beer in open tuns and maturing it in oak barrels.
• Tasting of unfiltered beer – What kind of tour of the Pilsner Urquell Brewery would it be without tasting its lager? Adult visitors will have a chance to try unfiltered and unpasteurized Pilsner Urquell poured straight from an oak barrel. You can try this beer only during the brewery tour or   the experience programme in Šalanda

If you still haven’t had enough of beer even after this 2-hour tour, you can visit  the Brewery Museum in Pilsen   or   the historical underground  or go to our   Na Spilce Pub .

CONCESSIONARY PACKAGES

Pilsner urquell brewery tour + brewery museum tour, pilsner urquell brewery tour + gambrinus brewery tour.

If you are interested in booking a tour more than one month in advance, please contact us at   [email protected]  or +420 377 062 888.

During tours for individual visitors, it is always necessary to respect the assigned language of the tour and it is not possible to interpret into other languages.

Additional tour information

Map of brewery premises

Not to be missed, brewery museum tour.

Enjoy the medieval atmosphere in the only museum of its kind, located in an original authentic brew house from the 15th century.

Pilsen Historical Underground

The Pilsen Historical Underground, with its nearly 14 km of corridors, is one of the largest historical underground systems in Central Europe.

Tours and educational programs for schools

The Brewery Museum has prepared three interactive learning programmes for first and second-grade pupils about the history of Pilsen and traditional trades.

For tour times, see below.

Plzeňský Prazdroj reserves the right to modify the times of public tours. Currently available time slots  can be verified online  or by calling +420 377 062 888.

• Reduced admission: children up to 6 and under 15, students under 26, pensioners over 65, TP, ZTP, HI YHA cardholders
• Children from 3 to 6 years of age are charged CZK 50 per visit
• Free admission: children under 3 years of age, ZTP/P card holders + their escort (1 person)
• Family ticket: max. 2 adults + 3 children up to 6 and under 15
• 15% discount on the price of a ticket for two or more of our various tours (brewery, Gambrinus Brewery, Brewery Museum, Pilsen Historical Museum) on one day. This offer does not apply to school groups

For 1 to 19 persons it is possible to buy the ticket online   for the given times. On-line purchase of tickets is possible no later than 1 hours before the start of the tour; card payment is the only option.

Cash (EUR) and payment cards are accepted when purchasing tickets upon arrival at the Visitor Centre or the Brewery Museum.

We offer tours for groups of 20 or more  in these language variants:   Czech, English, German, Russian and French. You can choose a date based on your requirements. Tour times outside the regular opening hours of the Visitor Centre may be arranged for   an additional fee of CZK 50 per person. Please order the tour at least 3 days in advance.

VISITOR RULES

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Brewery tour Brewery Museum Historic Plzeň Underground Rent of premises, fun programmes, Secese Conference Centre Pilsner Urquell Gift Shop Pilsner Urquell e-shop Group Tour Booking Experiences

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In accordance with an order from the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic, tours and experience programme are closed to public until further notice. Sorry for inconvenience. If you have any questions, contact us at [email protected] or by phone on +420 377 062 888.

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The best brewery tour: Meet Pilsner Urquell in Pilsen

• Private tour
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Private guide
• All Fees and Taxes
• Entrance fee to the Pilsner Urquell Brewery
• Guaranteed to skip the lines
• Prague-Ruzyne Airport, Aviaticka, Prague Czech Republic
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Infant seats available
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• Most travelers can participate
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

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The best brewery tour: Meet Pilsner Urquell in Pilsen provided by Prague Best Experience

Visit our breweries

Four breweries, three magical places and the unique brewery museum.

Come and discover the history of brewing or your own favourite brand of beer. See the authentic places where the Pilsner Urquell legend originated, hold a party in the Gambrinus Brewery, immerse yourself in history in the Brewery Museum in Pilsen or enjoy an unforgettable day where Radegast and Velkopopovický Kozel are brewed. Each of our breweries offers a lavish programme of events which every beer lover is sure to enjoy.

Brewery tours

Brewery Museum in Pilsen

This museum, one of a kind in the world and housed in the original 15th-century brewery building, is also unique in terms of the range of exhibitions it offers. Hundreds of unique exhibits portray the history of brewing beer from ancient times to the present day. Visitors can learn more about the history of Pilsen’s pubs, tour the malt house, malt kiln, drying shed and laboratory and see a range of beer-related curios (such as the smallest beer mug in the world).

The historical underground of Pilsen

With almost 14 kilometres of passageways, the historical underground of Pilsen is one of the largest historical underground systems in Central Europe. The underground tour circuit is around 800 m long and runs at a depth of 9 to 12 metres under the historical centre of the city of Pilsen. Discover mediaeval life under the city and reveal the secrets of the authentic finds and nooks hidden underground.

Today open 11:00 - 20:30 (Last entry 19:00) Today open from 11:00

CZECH OUT OUR BEER STORY IN PRAGUE!

Discover the story behind the world's first golden beer & learn to pour beers like a professional tapster!

Our experiences

The Original Tour

Experience our story, brewing processes, games & tasting

Tapster Academy

Learn to pour a perfect Pilsner!

The Original Tour + Tapster Academy

Enjoy the immersive Experience and learn to pour our Pilsner!

Tripadvisor

Gift vouchers

GIVE YOUR LOVED ONES AN UNEXPECTED EXPERIENCE!

Surprise your family and friends with an extraordinary experience they will enjoy through all senses.

Just click on the button below and choose the type and number of gift vouchers, which you can then download from our website and print immediately after purchase.

Why come to us?

Great pilsner urquell beer.

Taste the best, forget the rest!

Fantastic food

You will taste amazing Czech and international food

Tapster shows

If you're lucky, you can try our pub quiz or compete in beer pouring.

Customer reviews

After learning the history of Czech beer, I now have many fun facts to share with friends.

Would highly recommend to anyone visiting Prague who likes beer!

The building is beautiful, and the experience is really interesting!

Did the Tapster Academy and the Tour - if you love beer, you’ll love the Experience!

Amazing story in Japanese, together with the best beer we've had so far.

We didn't expect such luxury in the souvenir shop and impulsively bought a few trinkets.

The team was extremely informative about the local culture valuing the foam on top of the beer, not just the contents below.

Spacious and high-tech, with brilliant multimedia and interactive displays.

It's a truly excellent experience, with the tradition of the brewery juxtaposed wonderfully with modern graphics and technology and friendly, knowledgeable staff.

Frequently asked questions

We are located right at the bottom of the Wenceslas Square. The exact address is 28. října 377/13, Prague. Check the map on the link: https://goo.gl/maps/UiHtPCrnrbJ7qLsu9

Yes! The Original Tour is very informative, and your children will enjoy it, too. However, we don't serve beer to anyone under the legal drinking age (18 years), but don't worry - two non-alcoholic beverages are available instead.

Our Tapster Academy is reserved for adults only.

Yes, we do! You can easily purchase them at the Gift vouchers section!

You will receive a download code for the gift vouchers right after the purchase, and will be able to download a beautiful voucher ready to print from our website right away.

Nevertheless, you can turn up within our opening hours and purchase your tickets on-site.

Tapster Academy has to be booked in advance.

We serve hot and cold food both in the Výčep U Zvonu and at the end of The Original Tour in the Beer Hall. The well tapped Pilsner Urquell beer is of course matched with well-known classics of Czech gastronomy such as freshly mixed beef tartare with fried bread, fried cauliflower, or Pilsner goulash. But you can also find other specialties here. You can order a great strudel with your coffee or traditional sweet buns with vanilla custard. Enjoy.

Pilsner Urquell Experience

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Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour Review

Pilsen > Things to do in Pilsen > Pilsner Urquell Tour

Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour is is according TripAdvisor one of the world´s best tourist attractions. Discover how to book Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour online, learn how to dress and everything you need to know before visiting Pilsen Brewery in this Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour Review.

Book the brewery tour

Plzeň (in English and German called Pilsen) is the Czech City situated only 90 km southwest of Prague , the Capital of Czech Republic. Pilsen is the home to two major breweries: Pilsner Urquell and Gambrinus, but you can find also several microbreweries here. 🍺

Plzeň is especially known as the birthplace of the famous Pilsner beer , which is the grandfather of all lager beers and which has been brewed in Pilsner Urquell Brewery the same way since 1842.

Pilsen Urquell Brewery Tour in Plzeň is a goal of 750,000 tourists from all over the world every year.

The famous golden drink (Pilsner Urquell Beer) attracts thousands of tourists to visit Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour each year.

So, if you want to know more about the history of the legendary Pilsner Urquell Brewery, about the ingredients from which Pilsner lager beer is brewed, and taste unpasteurized beer directly from the barrel, then take part on the Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour .

Because I live in Pilsen I prepared for you a detailed guide to Pilsner Brewery tour :

1. Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour Plzeň

2. how to book pilsner urquell tour.

• 3. Pilsner Urquell Brewery tour from Prague

3.1. How to get to Pilsner Urquell Brewery from Prague?

4. about pilsner urquell brewery.

• 5. Pilsen Brewery Restaurant

6. Pilsner Urquell Shop

• 7. Brewery Museum Plzeň

8. Hotels near Pilsner Urquell Brewery

• 9. Purkmistr hotel with spa, restaurant and brewery

When visiting Pilsen brewery you understand why Pilsner Urquell beer is so unique. Pilsner Urquell Tour will take you across all Pilsner Urquell factory's areas and explain how beer is made. You will learn about every step in the brewing process: ingredients used, malting, fermentation is steel tanks, maturation in wooden tanks etc.

First you will see the ingredients and beer brewing in general, then packaging plant (which has a capacity of 120,000 bottles per hour), will continue to see authentic parts of the brewery where the original Pilsner beer has been made since 1842 and current brewing houses of Pilsner Urquell Brewery.

Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tours lead through all parts of the famous Plzeň Brewery.

Pilsner Brewery Tour takes 110 minutes and finishes in the brewery cellars 20m below ground. Cellars beneath the Pilsen Brewery are 9 km long and they used to serve for storage and cooling of Plzeň beer. Ice pieces remained here for almost a whole year. Nowadays, only a small part of production is stored here: only beer which is fermented in wooden barrels.

Pilsen Brewery Tour finishes by tasting of Pilsner Urquell unpasteurized and non-filtered beer (0.3l) straight from the wooden barrel. Of course, if you are older than 18 years.

Don't forget to bring a jacket or sweater, because beer cellar is really cold: 7°C (40° F).

You can get a fully guided Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour in English, Czech, German, French and Russian. The ticket costs about US$16 and if you want to take pictures then another US$5. For booking of Plzeň brewery tour you have following 2 options:

• Come to Pilsner Urquell Brewery Visitors Centre directly. Pilsner Urquell Brewery tours are in a variety of languages that are shown on a screen above the admission desk. Just sign up for the one you need if it isn't full.
• Book your Pilsner brewery tour online here.

Pilsner Urquell Brewery

U Prazdroje 7, Plzeň GPS: 49°44'47.339"N, 13°23'10.568"E Book your tickets to Pilsner Urquell Brewery » --> Open daily: January - June: 10 am – 6 pm July – August: 9.30 am - 6 pm September - December: 10 am – 6 pm

Web page of Pilsen Brewery

Pilsner urquell brewery tour times Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour in English language takes place two or three times a day, check date and language here .

Visit to Pilsner Urquell Brewery as a one day trip from Prague. The driver will pick up you in Prague and then bring you again back to your hotel. You will have enough time to visit the Pilsen Urquell Brewery Tour, have lunch, and still have time for a short walk through Pilsen city centre. The city can be easily reached on foot. We strongly recommend to make a booking online at least 2 days ahead. Price for Pilsner Urquell Brewery tour (110 minutes) is CZK 300 (US$13).

The view from the main entrance to the area of Pilsen Brewery: the Visitor Centre is located on the left side, the Pilsner Urquell Restaurant "Na Spilce" is situated on the right side. You can see the Water Tower of Plzen Brewery in the middle of the picture.

How to get to Pilsner Urquell Brewery from Prague by train? Czech Republic has one of the best railway networks in Europe. So, the transportation from Prague to Pilsen is quite easy by a direct train connection from Prague Main Railway station (Hlavní Nádraží) or Prague Smíchov station. Pilsner Urquell Brewery is situated 400 meters from the Pilsen Main Railway Station (Plzeň Hlavní nádraží). You can walk, just follow the sign "Plzeňský Pivovar".

Trains from Prague to Pilsen run several times a day. The journey takes about 90 minutes. Train ticket costs for one way (Prague to Pilsen) US$7 or you can buy the return ticket which is cheaper than two one way tickets. For train schedule go to the Web page of Czech Railways and choose the English or German language. Read also our detailed guide how to get from Prague to Pilsen here »

Based on my recent experience, I highly recommend adding a seat ticket to your ticket, because the trains from Pilsen to Prague are very popular and you definitely don't want to stand in the aisle for more than an hour.

Where you can learn more about beer and taste the best beer in the world than in the City where almost every household brewed beer at home since 1295 until the biggest brewery in the Czech republic Pilsner Urquell was grounded?

Plzen Brewery Tours are perfect for learning something new about beer.

You have to understand: in the medieval times was the beer healthier than water, because the water had very poor quality.

4.1 History of Pilsner Urquell Brewery

Pilsner beer wasn´t always so tasty as today.

Beer has been brewed in Plzeň since 1295 when the King Václav II. gave to 260 Pilsner burghers the right to brew the beer. This privilege, a very profitable financially, allowed the holder to sell beer in his house.

Pilsners had been making beer without the necessary education and knowledge and often improving the tastes by variety of ingredients. No wonder, that the quality of beer was really horrible!

This lead to an unusual theatre: 36 barrels of disgusting Pilsner beer was poured out in front of Pilsen City Hall in February 1838.

The owners of the right to brew beer joined together and choose a place for constructions of a new brewery: a place with sandstone underground for deep cellars and with a rich water source. The construction started in 1839. Then they hired a German brewer Josef Groll to prepare German style lager beer. The taste of new brewed beer was extraordinary! Probably because of unique Plzeň water. It was the year 1842 when the legendary Pilsner Beer was born.

To take part on Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour is a great opportunity to learn more about Pilsen beer history.

4.2 Pilsner Urquell ingredients

Plzeň has very good assumptions for brewing excellent beer. Special local Czech ingredients as: Pilsen´s soft water, red hops from Žatec, malt and special brewer´s yeast accompanied with the love to beer create the necessary base for production of Pilsner beer.

You will see all these ingredients during your visit to Pilsner Urquell Brewery tour.

Pilsner Urquell ingredients are used in beer baths. Pilsner Urquell Brewery and Spa Beerland® invite you to the unique beer wellness on Pilsen main square.

Read about my visit to BEERLAND beer spa in Pilsen here .

4.3 Wooden barrels

Pilsner Urquell Brewery is the only one brewery at the world which keeps the traditions of handmade wooden barrels . Coopers of Pilsner Urquell Brewery produce small and also huge beer barrels (of the size 4.000 liters) which serve for storage of Pilsner lager beer in cellars of Pilsner Urquell Brewery. You can see these barrels during the Pilsner Brewery tour. And we hope that this tradition will be included to UNESCO intangible cultural heritage soon.

Nowadays, Pilsner Urquell Brewery is the biggest producer of beer in the Czech Republic.

5. Pilsner Urquell Restaurant

The famous Pilsner Urquell Restaurant "Na Spilce" is situated in front of visitor center in the area of Pilsner Urquell Brewery. After the visit to the Pilsner Urquell Tour is the right time to relax, taste the typical Czech cuisine and the unpasteurized and unfiltered Pilsner Urquell beer from the tank. The Pilsner Urquell Brewery restaurant is equipped with the children playing area; you can also sit in the garden in good weather.

Pilsner Urquell Brewery Restaurant

Restaurant Na Spilce U Prazdroje 7, Plzeň GPS: 49°44'47.339"N, 13°23'10.568"E Open: Mo - Su: 11 am – 10 pm

Web page of the Restaurant Na Spilce

Did you enjoy Pilsen brewery visit and want to buy some souvenirs, Pilsner Urquell glasses and mugs, pilsner beer, home accessories or clothing with the logo of Pilsner Urquell Brewery? There is a special Pilsner Urguell Souvenir Shop in the area of Plzeň brewery where you can find wide-range of these items. Pilsner Urquell Shop is open every day from 10 am till 7 pm. Don´t have the chance to visit Pilsner Urquell Gift Shop? Then you can also buy Pilsner Urquell beer and gifts online here »

Pilsner Urquell Souvenir Shop in the area of Pilsen Brewery.

7. Pilsen Brewery Museum in Plzeň

Get the Brewery Museum Entrance including a Glass of Beer here.

Pilsen Brewery museum uses the same entrance as Pilsen Historical Underground . It is located in Plzeň City Centre, only 400 meters far from Pilsner Urquell Brewery. It is easy to walk by following marked path from Pilsner Urquell Brewery. You can download the free Tourist Map (pdf) of Plzeň City Center here .

The exposition of Pilsen Beer Museum will take you through the history of Plzeň beer production. In the atmosphere of the Middle Ages you will learn how Pilsen beer is brewed, how to serve and drink it. You can even taste Pilsner Urguell, of course if you are older than 18.

Pilsen Brewery museum reminds the time when started the production of Pilsner Beer.

Veleslavínova 6, Plzeň Open daily: 10 am – 6 pm Web page of Plzen Beer Museum

BOOK NOW »

Just in front of Pilsner Urquell Brewery you will find very pleasant hotel Vienna House Easy Pilsen . It is an excellent place where you can stay overnight because it is situated close to Pilsner Urquell Brewery and also very close to Pilsen Old Town. The railway station is only 300 meters far. Click here to check out prices and book your stay.

Vienna House Easy Pilsen isn´t of course only one hotel near Pilsner Urquell Brewery. I prepared for you the list of 11 best hotels in Plzeň. Now, the choice will be easier for you. Read more about hotels in Plzeň here »

Pilsner Urquell Brewery isn´t the only one Plzeň Brewery. During your visit to Plzeň you can taste also craft beer and have a beer spa in a local microbrewery Purkmistr:

#2 Restaurant and brewery Beer Factory

The new microbrewery and restaurant Beer Factory was built in the old town house located on the corner of Dominikánská and Veleslavínova Street, just a few steps from the Plzeň Republic Square. The restaurant serves typical Czech food as Svíčková, Venison, burgers and steaks, the great advantage of this place is garden in inner courtyard.

Architects succeeded to connect an old architecture with modern clean industrial style: dominants are walls without painting and materials as iron, steel and wood. The beer club and the biggest part of all technologies are concentrated in the cellar, but the main bar with two brew houses are in the ground floor.

The brewery offers several kinds of own beer including top fermented beer (called ale) but it imports also fine beer from Belgium as Kasteel Rouge or Gulden Draak.

The brewery is very popular among tourists, for Friday evening you will need a reservation.

If you want to find an accommodation close to the brewery Beer Factory, I recommend a beautiful place Hotel Rango .

Open Mo-Th: 11am-11pm, Fr+Sa: 11am-12pm, Su: 11am-11pm. Dominikánská 8, Plzeň. Web page of Beer Factory Brewery.

Restaurant and brewery Beer Factory.

For those who prefer bottom-fermented beer (as Pilsner lager made by Pilsner Urquell Brewery) and don´t like fruity beer as ale, is better to visit the next Pilsen brewery “U Pašáka”. #plzenguide

Read also: The best restaurants in Plzeň »

9. Purkmistr: hotel, brewery, restaurant and Plzeň beer spa

Purkmistr brewery is a great place where you can spend a whole weekend with your partner, friends or family and we guarantee that nobody will get bored.

This Pilsen brewery is located in the suburban part of Plzeň-Černice. The large newly renovated farmhouse includes a beerhouse with a brewery, a restaurant, a hotel Purkmistr with spa , wellness and a bowling alley .

It brews own beer under Purkmistr brand: PURKMISTR lager (classic Pilsner style lager), semi dark and dark 12% lager, PÍSAŘ wheat beer (top-fermented wheat beer with a characteristic fruity component), RADNÍ (amber semi-dark special with a prolonged maturation time) etc. There is also a wide variety of beers flavored with fruit and herbal flavors.

Restaurant is open: Mo-Th: 11am-11pm, Fr-Sa: 11am-12pm, Su: 11am-10pm. Selská náves 21/2, Plzeň - Černice. Book your stay in Purkmistr here.

Brewery and beer spa Purkmistr in Plzeň.

The beer in Purkmistr house is brewed using traditional recipes , several types of high quality malting barley, hops from the Žatec region and a famous Pilsen’s soft water. The beer is served unfiltered and unpasteurized, so all the original nutrients are preserved and thanks to this it contains exclusively natural substances: a high vitamin B content, sugar, yeast, etc. So it has many benefits for your body.

Former farmhouse was reconstructed and serves as a brewery now.

• a wide range of activities as Pilsen brewery tour, bowling, yoga lessons, wellness with sauna and massage
• a beautiful and quite place of the former farmhouse
• Pilsen city center very easily reachable by trolleybus No. 13
• Czech traditional cuisine

#3 RAVEN brewery and pub

We finish our Plzeň Brewery Tour in young Pilsen Brewery RAVEN. The cute pub with 60 places for sitting was open in 2017.

RAVEN brewery is situated behind the pub and brews 6 kinds of own beer, mainly ale beer. It is also possible to order the brewery tour with beer tasting.

Pub is open: Mo-Fr: 4pm-10pm, Fr-Su: 2pm- until the last guest leave.☺ Address: Mozartova 1, Plzeň. Web page of RAVEN Brewery.

The pub offers cold and sometimes hot meals, and there are barbecues in the garden during the summer. The RAVEN beer is unfiltered and unpasteurized and it is served directly from the lager cellar at the same temperature as the beer matured.

Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour is one of the most popular things to see and do in Pilsen .

Visiting the Pilsner Urquell brewery tour can be an interesting and also educational experience for anyone who is interested in the history and process of brewing beer.

You can learn about the history of Pilsner Urquell beer and how it has evolved over the years, as well as see the traditional methods and equipment that are used to brew this famous beer. 🍺

I think that you are already looking forward to visit Pilsner Brewery Tour.

Are you looking for accommodation in Plzeň? Here are the best deals for today »

Written by Šárka Novotná

If you like this article, please share:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Šárka Novotná Hi, I'm Šárka and I'm so glad you've found this Website! I was born in Plzeň and from the love to my home city I launched PlzenGuide.com . I hope you will find important information and ideas about how to spend an incredible time in Pilsen Czech Republic.

• Our brewery
• Our ingredients
• Perfect pouring
• Well served here
• Food and beer
• 180th Anniversary

A taste worth protecting since 1842

Brewed only in Plzeň. enjoyed all over the world.

Meet the keepers of the craft.

Deep inside the cellars of our brewery in Plzeň, Czech Republic, we make sure that every Pilsner Urquell drop tastes as unique as it did in 1842. We proudly continue the heritage of Josef Groll, the original brewmaster who introduced the world to the first golden “Pilsner” lager and changed beer forever.

BREWED THE ORIGINAL WAY

Everyone at our brewery gives their all to keep our recipe intact. It has been untouched for more than 180 years and uses traditional methods like triple decoction and parallel brewing. Yes, it takes longer, but it means we never compromise. And because Pilsner Urquell is only brewed in Plzeň, Czech Republic, that means our beer tastes the same all over the world.

WANT TO SEE HOW WE KEEP OUR CRAFT INTACT?

Come join a tour of our mythical brewery in Plzeň. Just one hour outside Prague you will find keepers of the craft hard at work to make sure thewhole world gets the original Pilsner taste.

WE DO IT ALL SO YOU CAN ENJOY THE PERFECT POUR

To keep our craft, we don't skip any steps. Our tapsters make sure you always get a thick head of dense, wet foam to seal in the freshness, protect delicate flavours from oxygen and create a perfect balance in our beer so that every sip has the perfect taste.

BUT WE ALSO GIVE YOU CHOICES. WE’RE NOT THAT STUBBORN.

You can enjoy our perfect taste in three different pours. Each one has a different flavour because each has a different amount of foam.

TRUST YOUR TAPSTER. THE ULTIMATE KEEPER.

In Czech we say “the brewmaster brews the beer and the tapster makes it“. And you better believe that every one of our tapsters is expertly trained in Plzeň, Czech Republic, to give you the perfect Pilsner Urquell experience all over the world.

SO IT’S FRESH AND FULL OF FLAVOUR

Pilsner Urquell’s signature flavour balances the sweetness from triple-decocted malt and the bitterness from Saaz hops. The thick head of dense, wet foam adds smoothness and seals in flavour and aroma.

REFRESHING, RICH AND JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF HOPPY BITTERNESS

In every sip of Pilsner Urquell you’ll notice a refreshing crispness from natural carbonation, subtle caramel tones and a clean finish with a pleasing, hoppy bitterness.

BREWED THE SAME WAY SINCE 1842

They say you shouldn't fix what isn't broken. That's why we will never change our recipe. During the brewing process, we heat a portion of our mash three times to add more flavour and colour to our beer. This is called triple decoction.

SWEET MORAVIAN BARLEY, BITTER SAAZ HOPS, SOFT PLZEŇ WATER

We’ve only ever used 100% Czech ingredients to brew our beer, so we can be sure it tastes the same as it did in 1842. We will never change that.

COPYRIGHT © 2018 PLZEŇSKÝ PRAZDROJ, A.S.

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Packing up the Pieces

Is the Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour Worth it? Overview & Options

Pilsen Czech Republic is home to the Pilsner Urquell Brewery, which offers a wide range of tour options for every type of beer enthusiast. Even if you’re not exactly a beer fan, the Pilsner Urquell Brewery tour is worth it!

Pilsen ( Plzeň) is about an hour away from Prague, the top destination in the Czech Republic. Visiting the Pilsner Urquell Brewery is the perfect day trip from Prague. For those who want to explore the pleasant village of Pilsen, you can spend the night.

This post includes a brief summary of how to get to Pilsen from Prague and the different Pilsner Urquell Brewery tours that are available. I’ll share the highlights of the classic Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour and some tips to make the most of the experience. While the Pilsner Urquell Brewery is the main draw to Pilsen, there are some other worthwhile spots to explore in the city.

Here’s a quick overview of the Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour options and some highlights.

Table of Contents

• How to Get to Pilsen from Prague
• Top Rated Guided Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tours from Prague

Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour Options

Highlights of the classic pilsner urquell brewery tour.

• What to Do After the Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour
• More Things to Do in Pilsen
• Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour: Options & Highlights

How To Get to Pilsen From Prague

Pilsen is a great day trip from Prague . There are numerous options to reach Pilsen via trains, buses, and by car.

Prague to Pilsen by Train

Frequent trains depart from Praha Hl.N, Prague’s main train station. Trains depart almost every half an hour to Pilsen. The Pilsen train station is less than a 15-minute walk to the Pilsner Urquell Brewery.

🚆 Prague to Pilsen Train  |  Duration:   Under 1 hour 30 minutes  |  Average One-Way Fare:   175 CZK ($7.50 USD)  |  Purchase Tickets online via České Dráhy

Prague to Pilsen by Bus

FlixBus also runs frequent buses to Pilsen from Prague. There are multiple departure stations in Prague but try to be dropped off at the Plzeň Central Bus Station, as the other bus stops in Pilsen are out of town.

🚌 Prague to Pilsen Flixbus  |  Duration:   1 hour  |  Average One-Way Fare:   140 CZK ($6 USD)  |  FlixBus Tickets & Timetables

Driving to Pilsen from Prague

Pilsen is a little over an hour from Prague by car. It makes a great “first stop” on a Czech Republic road trip . Be mindful that there’s a zero-tolerance drinking and driving policy, so if driving it may be best to sleep in Pilsen or have a sober driver.

Top Rated Guided Tours to Pilsen from Prague

As Pilsen is a popular day trip from Prague, there are numerous Pilsen Brewery tours available.

➜ This Pilsen Highlights Small-Group Tour and Pilsner Brewery Tour from Prague highlights not only the brewery but also some of the top attractions in Pilsen.

➜ Those looking for a private tour may consider booking this Pilsner Urquell Brewery and Pilsen City Tour.

➜ Foodies won’t want to miss this private tour focused on Beer and Wine from Prague .

With a sprawling facility and a diverse product catalog, the Pilsner Urquell Brewery offers a wide range of tours . Find everything from the Classic Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour to the smaller Gambrinus Brewery Tour.

There’s even a chance to go explore in more depth below the surface via the Historical Underground Tour. This tour touches a little more on just the brewery, but the history of Pilsen as a whole.

Off-premise of the main facilities is the Brewery Museum Tour.

Many of the tours are offered in English, Czech, and German.

The 4 Most Popular Pilsen Brewery Tours

There are the most popular Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tours. Be mindful that some of these tours can be combined for a discounted price.

1 | Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour

• Entrance Ticket: 380 CZK ($16 USD)
• Tour Duration: Under 2 hours
• Tours run frequently in Czech, English, German
• Location: Pilsner Urquell Brewery

2 | Gambrinus Brewery Tour

• Entrance Ticket: 250 CZK ($11 USD)
• Tour Duration: 2 hours
• Limited to Weekends (Typically Saturdays)

3 | Brewery Museum Tour

• Entrance Ticket: 150 CZK ($6.50 USD)
• Tour Duration: 1 hour
• Includes a beer voucher
• Location: Veleslavínova 58, 301 00 Plzeň

4 | Historical Underground Tour

• Entrance Ticket: 190 CZK ($8 USD)

Pilsner Urquell Brewery Experiences for Beer Lovers

For those absolute beer lovers, participate in the Pilsner Urquell Experiences from the “Draft Beer Workshop” to “The Journey of a Brewery Apprentice.” These experiences are a little more pricey but offer more than just the basic Pilsner Urquell Brewery tour.

My dad and I opted to take the Classic Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour. This tour is the most popular and most frequent, making it the ideal choice for most visitors.

The Classic Pilsner Urqell Brewery Tour starts right from the visitor center at the main brewery. A guide takes you through this interactive experience.

First, learn a little detailed history of how the brewery came to be. Back in the day, Pilsen had multiple “brew” houses that formed together to create this “powerhouse” brewery. Interestingly enough, see how some women played an essential role in the birth of the modern-day Pilsner Urquell.

Next, hop on the included bus next to the bottling facilities. This allows you to get a glimpse of production and the state-of-the-art bottling process. It’s loud, so the guide will explain before and after how it works. There are some supporting visual fact boards to help interpret and clarify the noisy process.

After that, it’s on to the brewhouses. Learn about how the beer is actually made. Try the malts and barely if you are so inclined. Here you’ll get a chance to see the beautiful copper tanks. Finally, watch a fun video about how the complete brewing process happens right where you’re standing.

Underground Tour

Although there is a separate tour just for the underground, the Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour includes a walk in the old underground ice cellars. As you can imagine, these tunnels wind underneath the entire city.

Under the Brewery, there are over 60 ice rooms that help keep the cellar cool.

Underground tunnels are a common theme throughout the Czech Republic. It’s also possible to visit underground tunnels in the picturesque village of Tabor .

Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour Tip | Bring something warm to wear in the cellars. It was so hot on the day we went on the tour, but we spent more time underground than anticipated. I wish I would have brought a scarf or something warm for my arms. Those cellars really work in keeping the beer (and you) cold!

Pilsner Urquell Beer Sampling

The most anticipated event of the Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour is by far the actual beer sampling. The tasting actually happens below ground in the cellar 50 meters below ground. The atmosphere is just right, a it happens next to thevaging barrels in a dimly lit room.

This is as fresh as it gets. Find a man, tapping directly from a wooden keg. This beer is from the small batch kegs right next door.

The ice-cold Pilsner Urquell beer is unfiltered and unpasteurized and can only be tasted during the Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour!

Conclusion of the Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour

Like most brewery tours, this one ends at the gift shop. From posters, clothing, and beer, there is a nice range of souvenirs and memorabilia to never forget your Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour experience.

Is the Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour worth it? Definitely! The brewery tour is fun, insightful, and interactive. Those visiting the Pilsner Urquell Brewery won’t be disappointed.

What to Do in Pilsen After the Pilsen Brewery Tour

Was that one beer sample just not enough? After the Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour, you may be inspired to drink one more Pilsner Urquell.

On the grounds, visit Na Spilce Restaurant , which is housed in the old fermentation cellar. Walk down to the restaurant and massive beer hall to enjoy another beer.

This inviting beer hall is considered to be one of the biggest in the Czech Republic. They pour up fresh mugs of Pilsner Urquell and Gambrinus on draft. Food is only served in the restaurants and not available from the “bar side.”

Na Parkánu is an awesome authentic restaurant serving up traditional Czech food and Pilsner Urquell. This establishment is located right next to the Brewery Museum and even offers vouchers to sample the unfiltered Pilsner Urquell after the museum tour here.

Skip the Brewery Museum Tour, and rather, just indulge in the cuisine. The food is delicious and the servers are friendly.

More Things to Do in Pilsen Czech Republic

There’s more to do in Pilsen than taking a Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour.

Pilsen has a lovely main plaza with the stunning Gothic Cathedral of St. Bartholomew . In the summer months, there’s an excellent farmer’s market that happens in the square. This market has excellent local and artisanal produce.

In Pilsen, find the small, but interesting Patton Memorial Museum . This museum focuses on General Patton and the liberation of Pilsen during World War II. Nearby, find the Thank You America Memorial which passes a beautiful synagogue.

☛ If interested in World War II history in the Czech Republic, the Lidice Memorial and the Terezin Memorial are also somber, but worthwhile places to see near Prague.

There are many green spaces and parks to explore within the city.

In Pilsen, there are a plethora of excellent restaurants serving up traditional food and many pouring unfiltered and unpasteurized Pilsner Urquell on draft.

➜ Want to sleep in Pilsen? Browse all the Best Places to Stay in Plzeň

Conclusion | Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour Highlights

Pilsen is home to the famous Pilsner Urquell Brewery. This lovely city is about an hour away from Prague and can easily be visited on a day trip.

The Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour is a must-visit when touring the Czech Republic!

The Pilsner Urquell Brewery offers a wide range of tours and museums for any type of beer enthusiast. The most popular option is the Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour which guides beer fanatics through the bottling facilities, to the brew houses, and into the depths of the underground ice cellars.

The Pilsner Urquell Brewery Tour is worth visiting, if you love beer or not!

It’s worth noting that Pilsen is more than just a brewery with neat places to discover within the city. With lots of fun beer halls, delicious traditional restaurants, and plenty of green space, Pilsen is a fantastic destination in the Czech Republic.

Have you visited the Pilsner Urquell Brewery? Did you take time to explore cute little Pilsen? Let me know in the comments below!

Disclaimer: There’s a chance this post contains affiliate links, and I receive a small (but grateful) portion of the sale. There’s no extra cost to you, and I only promote things that I use and love.

Hey, my name is Megs! I'm an adventure-seeking, wanna-be storyteller, with a wandering soul who is smitten with the diversity of this beautiful world. You can find me hiking in the mountains, eating delicious food, and seeking out the most authentic travel experiences possible. Experiences and memories are my most prized possessions. I love to slow travel and have been nomadic for over 12 years.

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Plzeňský Prazdroj

The simple pleasures in life are often the best; and one of the simplest, most essential experiences of the Czech Republic is a good, cold mug of Pilsner Urquell. So a visit to the Pilsner Urquell brewery is a natural choice for anyone in search of good, fresh Pilsner Urquell. About an hour from Prague, visiting Pilsner Urquell brewery and the city of Pilsen is perfect for a day trip, or a weekend adventure.

No other beer is more synonymous with the Czech Republic than Pilsner Urquell. This beer has not only revolutionized how beer is brewed, but is also a testament to the cultural importance of brewing today here in the Czech Republic. Brewed using 4 simple ingredients; Saaz hops, malt, sugar, and high quality water, the first batch of this legendary beer started our modern lagering process, and became a style of beer itself. 

Throughout the middle ages Europeans successfully brewed a variety of beers, but in the year 1842, the brewers of the Czech city of Pilsen changed brewing history. Up until then, most beers were of the top fermented ale sort, which could easily become spoiled and contaminated by bacteria. After witnessing the ruins of contamination, the Pilsen brewers invited Josef Groll, a famous Bavarian brewer, to help solve this problem. Groll was familiar with Saaz hops, already famous in the world of beer brewing. The city of Pilsen was blessed with incredibly soft water, another important ingredient. On October 5, 1842, the first batch of modern Pilsner was drunk.

Groll used the bavarian style of lagering for his famous first batch, which helped to solve the problem of storage and contamination which ales are prone to. With new transportation and communication developments across Europe, the popularity of Pilsner Urquell quickly spread, and the small city of Pilsen became well known for its’ golden lager and Czech Republic’s most famous product, Pilsner Urquell.

There is nothing more refreshing, more enjoyable than a perfectly poured, freshly brewed Pilsner Urquell. A good Pilsner Urquell, which actually isn’t the easiest thing to find in Czech pubs, is pure bliss.

To start, Pilsner Urquell (12°/4,4%) has a thick, frothy, milky white head, that sits atop a golden, deep yellow bitter pale lager. The characteristic taste is that of fresh Saaz hops, which give it a distinct bitterness unique only to Pilsner Urquell. The texture of this beer is where the magic is; as it rolls across your tongue, you’ll notice that it’s a smooth, weighty liquid that fluidly fills your mouth, without creating a heaviness. Having a refined texture, the strength is not in the body but in the complexity of flavor. The bitterness isn’t overwhelming, but only intensifies as you swallow, hitting the top of your mouth. From the beginning to the end your tongue experiences a variety of evolving flavors from a hint of sweetness at its tip, to a light warm flavor of nuts mixed with caramel, and lastly to the sharp crisp bitterness that bites at the back of your mouth.

Since we just had a day trip to the city of Pilsen and didn’t spend the night, we can’t specifically recommend any hotels. However, there are plenty of options which you can find at booking.com .

While in the city of Pilsen, you’ll certainly want to visit the Pilsner Urquell brewery for a tour. The tour is extremely informative, fun, and ends with a glass of unfiltered Pilsen…a rare treat. The tour is over 90 minutes long, and very comprehensive; it begins with the history of Pilsner Urquell, and continues to tell how Pilsner is brewed and about the traditional lagering process. You also visit the bottling factory, the brewery itself, and lagering cellars.

Since both Kozel and Gambrinus are part of the Pilsner brewery, it’s also possible to tour these breweries. There’s also a Pilsner Museum, which is located on Veleslavínova street, next to Na Parkanu, one of the Pilsner restaurants. Tours are regularly available in of course Czech, English, and German. Check their website for details and times.

Pilsen is a wonderful town for other activities too. If you like cycling, or are interested in history, Pilsen has a lot to offer. Check out www.plzen.eu for more information.

Restaurant/Pub

There are 3 Pilsner Urquell brewery restaurants: Na Spilce , U Salzmannu , and Na Parkanu . On our trip we visited 2- Na Spilce and Na Parkanu. All restaurants have roughly the same menu, and serve the same food. The atmosphere is a bit different in each, but all are traditional Czech brewery restaurants.

Na Spilce is located within the brewery walls, across from where you buy tour tickets. This is a large, traditional Czech beer hall, with Pilsner, Gambrinus, and Kozel light and dark on tap. The food is great- nice and heavy, like good Czech food should be. Traditional dishes like svickova (beef in a cream sauce), goulash, and roasted pork knee are all on the menu. They serve a really nice goulash soup in a bread bowl from typical Czech brown bread, and some really tasty ‘pivni syr’ (beer cheese) which goes perfectly with Pilsner.

Na Parkanu is located on Veleslavínova street, closer to the main square. This restaurant is charmingly decorated to be like a Czech beer hall in the 1930s. What makes Na Parkanu special is they are one of the only restaurants to serve unfiltered Pilsner Urquell, which is absolutely amazing. The menu here is similar to the other restaurants. They also have smažené olomoucké tvarůžky, a special cheese from the town of Oloumoc, which is fried and served with tartar sauce. A great snack to go with your beer. We noticed that the Pilsner tasted the best here, and also the prices were a bit less than at Na Spilce.

Pilsen is not only a city rich in beer history, but in culture too. Pilsen has been voted a European Capital of Culture for the year 2015. This is the fourth largest city in the Czech Republic, home to about 172,000 people. First mentioned as a castle in the year 976, Pilsen has played a significant role in Czech history. During the Austro-Hungarian years, Pilsen was built up as an industrial city. At the end of WW II, Pilsen was liberated by the Americans, a fact that was hidden by Communist until 1989, when it was officially acknowledged. Home to the Pilsner Urquell, the famous brewery gates are possibly the most recognizable symbol of Pilsen.

Getting to Pilsen from Prague is extremely easy. You can go by bus or train. Student Agency has a very convenient bus service that leaves from Zlicin every hour, every day.

Travel links (Czech Republic)

• Train & bus schedule: www.idos.cz
• Buy bus tickets online: www.studentagency.cz
• Buy train tickets online: www.cd.cz/eshop

Beers on Tap

• Type: Breweries
• Location: Pilsen region , Czech Republic
• place U Prazdroje 7 , 304 97 , Pilsen
• map Show on map
• public Website

Pivovarský Dvůr Purkmistr

Purkmistr Brewery Restaurant

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A Tour of the Pilsner Urquell Brewery, Pilsen

• Last Updated March 17, 2024
• Europe , Czech Republic

Throughout the world there are countless recipes, snacks, and products that are so intrinsically linked to their place of origin that it is almost impossible to think of one without making a connection in your mind to the other. Has anyone ever travelled to Leicestershire’s Melton Mowbray without craving one of their succulent pork and jelly-filled pies, stepped foot on the streets of Lisbon without hot-footing it to a local bakery for a pastel de nata or spent any amount of time in Hungary and not been tempted by a steaming, spiced bowl of hearty goulash.

However, with Pilsner – the pale and hoppy thirst-quenching lager that was born in the Czech city of Pilsen – it has become so ubiquitous worldwide that people do not always make the connection between product and place. Those that are in the know or have even the feintest interest in the history of beer styles will tell you, Pilsner –and by extension the local Pilsner Urquell Brewery – holds a hugely significant place in of brewing heritage.

Back in 1843, the brewery first defined the style of well-hopped pale golden lager that today sets the framework for the vast majority of the world’s beer production. It is a style of beer that has been reproduced, copied and replicated so often that it is now the planet’s most prevalent beer, spawning equally popular adaptations like German Pils and American light. Every country, it seems, now has its own take on this Czech creation.

The story behind the first batch of Pilsner, while disputed by some, is an interesting one.

Pilsen has been steeped in brewing heritage since its inception. When the city was founded in 1295, a decree was passed from King Wenceslas II in which he bestowed upon Pilsen’s enterprising burghers an extraordinary privilege – the right to brew and peddle beer from within the walls of their own homes. A symphony of clinking tankards and fragrant aromas wafted through the air, as nearly every dwelling in the city’s historic centre became a veritable hub for the craft.

Yet, in those bygone days, brewing adhered to the capricious whims of top fermentation. The brewers of Pilsen ceremoniously pitched yeast upon the surface of their wort to set the wheels of fermentation in motion. However, this method, akin to a delicate balancing act, demanded higher temperatures and unveiled a tapestry of unpredictable outcomes – It often resulted in wayward flavours and imperfections. The ales, vulnerable to the untamed forces of wild yeasts and unruly bacteria, often danced the fine line between success and spoilage. Astonishingly, even with the wisdom of eight centuries imbued in their vats, Pilsen’s venerable brewers found themselves still locked in a relentless battle against contamination.

This eventually came to a head in 1838 when a batch was so bad that local citizens rolled 36 barrels of ale into the street, opened them up, and poured the beer across the cobbles of the main square in protest.

Something had to be done. Local architect Martin Stelzer was sent on a scouting mission to study the breweries in Munich and returned with plans to build Pilsen its perfect brewery. In those days Bohemia was part of Austria-Hungary and Bavaria was then the principal centre of lager brewing, which is why he also brought with him Josef Groll, a master Bavarian brewer, who would go on to change beer history forever. On October 5, 1842, Groll and the other brewers of Pilsen gathered for their first taste of this new brew, a pale beer using a cold fermenting lager yeast. They were instantly impressed. Its straw-like golden colour and clarity were unlike anything they had ever seen and the brewers of Pilsen knew that they had made something special.

The beer brewed in Plzeň in 1842 was groundbreaking, placing the brewery at the cutting edge of innovation in the industry. With this, the Pilsner Urquell Brewery was born.

The brewery where it all started can still be found in Pilsen, although it has grown somewhat since its original form. Wander through the beautifully expansive town square, Namesti Republiky, past the towering Cathedral of St. Bartholemew towards the outskirts of the city centre, across the Radbuza River, and pass through the ornate double-arched entrance archway and you will find yourself within the sprawling complex that makes up Pilsner Urquell. Fitting well with the cobblestone paths and pastel-hued 19th century factory aesthetic, the company still plays heavily on its tradition and heritage. After all, “Ur-Quelle” means that this is the ‘original source’ of pilsner.

When I say that the brewery has grown since it was founded, I may be understating the facts. Pilsner Urquell is now the Czech Republic’s largest brewery, claiming around 50% of the domestic market across its various brands. After becoming nationalised, along with Budvar, by the pro-communist regime of the 60s and being re-privatised following the political changes of 1989, the company was eventually bought by South African Breweries (SAB), which in turn merged in 2002 to form SABMiller. While corporate takeovers come with the risk of having attaching a ‘sell out’ label to your product, especially in the UK craft scene, the new owners did bring investment and modernisation to the production process that was desperately needed – while hopefully maintaining the character and history that makes Pilsner Urquell so appealing.

Thankfully, even under new ownership, the brewery takes its heritage seriously and this is on full display in their state-of-the-art glass-fronted visitor centre & museum. Just beyond the reception area, you will find case upon case of awards and documents that date back to the brewery’s origins. Everything, it seems, has been saved. The company’s on-site archives contain a record of everything that has happened at the brewery since its inception in 1842. This includes details of every employee, minutes from each company meeting and most importantly the Pilsner recipe: Pilsen water, two-row barley and Saaz hops both grown in the Czech Republic, plus the all-important H-yeast strain. Proof, if any was required, that Pilsner is brewed to the same recipe today that it always has been.

After watching a short film on the history of the brewery on a 180-degree video screen, the museum experience continues in an area displaying the all-important raw ingredients for making the perfect pilsner and how they are produced. As mentioned above, both the Barley and hops are Czech grown, produced in an area not too far from Pilsen, and particular care is taken by the brewery in protecting its yeast strain – samples are contained in temperature-controlled vaults situated in different countries to ensure that it is never lost or damaged.

As someone that has spent a good amount of the past few years working in a brewery, I was particularly interested in visiting the brew house. While the main brewing operation of Pilsner Urquell moved to a modern brew house thanks to the investment by SABMiller, the old mash tuns have been left behind as a kind of museum piece. Large, cylindrical copper tanks filled the tiled room connected by pipes that jut off in all directions. It is in these that the pale malts were heated and stirred (mashed) in boiling water to release the sugars that go on to be fermented into alcohol, a very important step in the brewing process. Incidentally, Pilsner Urquell is one of the few breweries to triple mash their beer, meaning the mash passes through the process three times before the hops and yeast are added.

One of the key steps in the process of lager brewing is the lagering itself. This is where the beer is left to mature in tanks at near-freezing temperatures following the primary fermentation. While this process is derived from the old Bavarian practice of storing beer over the summer months in cold caves, it also allows the beer to stabilise and for any harsh and unpleasant tastes to be removed, giving a cleaner, fresher flavour. While this is now done in temperature-controlled steel tanks, the remnants of the old lagering method remain on the Pilsner Urquell site, deep underground.

There are 9km of lime-washed tunnels that run almost 20m beneath the brewery. It is here in this cavernous labyrinth of dark, dank passageways that brewers of the past would leave their huge oak barrels of beer to condition, aided by the cool temperatures and large blocks of ice carved from a nearby lake each winter.

This damp and gloomy subterranean world is like a labyrinth, so I was glad to have an official guide show us the way from the entrance to the corridor of enormous oak barrels that are still maintained and used by the brewery. These are not just show pieces for the tourists either, they are used for a process that the brewery likes to call parallel brewing.

When the brewery modernised, they were so worried that the new process may alter the taste of Pilsner Urquell that a team led by Václav Berka, their Brewmaster, decided that they should continue to brew a small portion of their beer in the cellars – that way it could be compared with the beer made in the new tanks. This beer is brewed in the old-fashioned way before a team of current and retired Brewmasters, as well as the brewery’s own tasting panel, conduct comparative taste tests in the laboratory to ensure that there is no difference between the two brews.

Speaking of old barrels and using traditional methods, Pilsner Urquell is one of the last places in Europe that still preserves and develops the traditional craft of coopering, or barrel making. There are currently only eight coopers in Pilsen and their knowledge is passed down orally from master to journeyman. We were lucky enough to be taken around the workshop to catch a glimpse of the art of coopering for ourselves and although it is not part of the regular tour, it can be witnessed year-round at special brewery events.

From these barrels, our guide pours us what we have been waiting for: a glass of the golden lager itself, specifically Pilsner Urquell Nefiltrovany Lezak, the superior unfiltered, unpasteurised version of their beer. It is not every day that I get to stand in the damp, dark cellars of the Pilsner Urquell Brewery drinking its famed lager directly from an enormous wooden cask. As our guide explains, “This is the best beer that you can get, so enjoy it. Na zdraví.”

Tour Information

• Opening Hours: Daily from 9am until 6pm (May - September) or 10am until 6pm (October - April)
• Tours take place in English, Czech, or German
• Price: CZK 380
• Duration: 110 mins
• Beer tasting is included in the tour but only available to people aged 18 or older

How to get to Pilsner Urquell Brewery

Most people visiting Pilsen will arrive via Václav Havel Airport in Prague (90km away/50mins by car). From the airport, you can take the no. 100 bus to Praha-Zličín (40 Czk) and from there, catch the yellow Regiojet buse or the green-orange Flixbus buse to Pilsen (every hour/100 Czk). It is also possible to catch the airport shuttle to Prague railway station where you can transfer to the Západní Express. The Express leaves every hour and takes approximately 1 hour 15 to reach Pilsen.

There are also direct trains from České Budějovice, Klatovy (Železná Ruda), Domažlice, Cheb and Žatec.

From Pilsen train station, it is a short, 10-minute walk to the brewery. You will find that it is signposted from the station and throughout the city centre, however, this isn’t always necessary as the chimneys are visible from across the Radbuza River. 

Where to Stay in Pilsen

Being Czechia’s 4th largest city and a major business/industrial hub, there is no shortage of large hotels and accommodation options in Pilsen’s city centre. However, a number of Pilsen’s breweries also offer a place to stay, often with the option of an adjoining beer spa for those really wanting to theme their entire stay in the city around its famous amber nectar. 

Courtyard by Marriott

Brewery & beer spa, hotel purkmistr.

As well as brewing some of Pilsen’s finest beer, Purkmistr brewery has an onsite hotel of 32 rooms with adjoining beer spa where you can bath in a concoction of hops and yeast while enjoying an unlimited supply of 12° Purkmistr beer.

Pivni Hotel

Located south of Pilsen in the picturesque town of Nepomuk, this beer-themed hotel attached to Zlatá Kráva brewery features 16 designer rooms – each named after their own beers – with their own beer tap (and 5 litres of complimentary ale). Their beer spa and wellness centre features a whirlpool, Finnish sauna and the opportunity to take a beer bath in the old cellar of the brewery. A unique experience.  

I visited the Pilsner Urquell Brewery as a guest of Visit Czech Republic and Visit Pilsen , however, all views expressed are my own.

Dave McClane

David McClane is a photographer and travel writer based in Leeds, UK. Since first picking up a camera on a yearlong journey through Central and South America in 2014/2015, He has carefully documented his travels through almost 50 countries.

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One response.

Who knew that Pilsner had such a fascinating history behind it? It’s like an ancient beer wizardry! Reading about the brewery’s archives and how they’ve kept records since forever made me wonder what juicy secrets they are capable of hiding. Maybe they have a secret stash of “beer alchemy” instructions that are guarded by beer-loving dragons? Lol.

And oh, that unfiltered, unpasteurized version of their beer sounds like a little piece of beer heaven! I can almost taste the crisp, golden goodness. It must have been an unforgettable experience! If only teleporting was a thing, I’d be there right now!

Cheers, Femi.

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