Czech Pils in the UK

[jceg316]

I just came back from Prague where I drank my bodyweight in Pilsner Urquell and Staropramen, among some other beers. Drinking these beers in Prague are different to what you get in the UK; in Prague they are malty, biscuity, and are balanced with bitterness, whereas buying them here they taste more like Stella or something. Does anyone know where to get bottles of good Staropramen or Urquell in the UK?

In the UK I've had Urquell from the tank and this tastes like the genuine stuff but that's only available in pubs, I'm looking for something to take home for a beer tasting. I might know a craft place which has a tank and could possibly fill a growler, but it's a long shot.

 

[ACBEV]

My mate has bought some Staropramen from here... http://www.beersofeurope.co.uk/czech-republic

 

[jceg316]

My mate has bought some Staropramen from here... http://www.beersofeurope.co.uk/czech-republic

How does he compare it to what you can get in Prague?

 

[matt76]

I'm not much of a lager drinker these days. Also I can't tell you what UK Staropramen or Pilsner Urquell tastes like (I've probably had them at some point).

But I was in Prague last week for work (yeah I know, hard life) and I can tell you the lager there is amazing - nothing like the fizzy p1$$ we get here.

Exactly as @jceg316 says, malty, biscuity and balanced. I think it was Pilsner Urquell specifically we were drinking - served without fail in a big thick heavy glass tankard. I even had a half light half dark one (pic below) - trust me, it's a thing! Now I'm seriously thinking can a newbie like me brew something like this?

 

[Saisonator]

I'm not much of a lager drinker these days. Also I can't tell you what UK Staropramen or Pilsner Urquell tastes like (I've probably had them at some point).

But I was in Prague last week for work (yeah I know, hard life) and I can tell you the lager there is amazing - nothing like the fizzy p1$$ we get here.

Exactly as @jceg316 says, malty, biscuity and balanced. I think it was Pilsner Urquell specifically we were drinking - served without fail in a big thick heavy glass tankard. I even had a half light half dark one (pic below) - trust me, it's a thing! Now I'm seriously thinking can a newbie like me brew something like this?

View attachment 16791

I can answer that in one word.
No

 

[Leon103]

2 pubs by me serve Staropramen which they get via coors. Says it all really. Never tried it in Prague to compare

 

[matt76]

I can answer that in one word.
No

And in more then one word?

Seriously, I'm curious to understand why it would be particularly tricky (not that I think all beer styles should be a piece of piddle, mind).

Useful to know, maybe something to aim for or aspire to.

 

[MyQul]

And in more then one word?

Seriously, I'm curious to understand why it would be particularly tricky (not that I think all beer styles should be a piece of piddle, mind).

Useful to know, maybe something to aim for or aspire to.

I cant imaine why not. You'd have to use all the correct malts, techniques and I think your water profile would have to be spot on

 

[terrym]

My guess is that many 'foreign' beers are brewed under licence in the UK, which means they are dumbing down to suit the typical lager drinkers palate in the UK. And if its draught it's more likely to be the case than for bottles. So unless you are lucky enough to stumble across a source of imported beers they are sadly best avoided.
However there's a recipe for Pilsner Urquell OG 1.050 in David Lines book 'Brewing beers like those you buy' but its 35 years old and principally based on 'lager malt' and Saaz hops and I have no idea how it would turn out. But if anyone is interested PM me.

 

[Mungri]

I'm not much of a lager drinker these days. Also I can't tell you what UK Staropramen or Pilsner Urquell tastes like (I've probably had them at some point).

But I was in Prague last week for work (yeah I know, hard life) and I can tell you the lager there is amazing - nothing like the fizzy p1$$ we get here.

Exactly as @jceg316 says, malty, biscuity and balanced. I think it was Pilsner Urquell specifically we were drinking - served without fail in a big thick heavy glass tankard. I even had a half light half dark one (pic below) - trust me, it's a thing! Now I'm seriously thinking can a newbie like me brew something like this?

View attachment 16791

There are several clone recipes out there. Looks a bit more complex than your average brew, but why not give it a go?
Half of the fun is seeing how close you can get to the original.
This recipe looks good.
https://byo.com/recipe/pilsner-urquell-clone/

 

[matt76]

There are several clone recipes out there. Looks a bit more complex than your average brew, but why not give it a go?
Half of the fun is seeing how close you can get to the original.
This recipe looks good.
https://byo.com/recipe/pilsner-urquell-clone/

Thanks, I think i saw that recipe when I was googling last night.

It's clear enough to me you're never going to replicate a commercial beer for all sorts of reasons.

But as you say, part of the fun is how close can you get - in my case I'm thinking can I brew a beer with some of those qualities that stood out to me, e.g. biscuity flavour, big head but actually not very gassy, I found it smooth and refreshing but not dry.

Perhaps I'll have a bash at some point next year...

Cheers,

Matt

 

[Honk]

I've got a Czech pils planned to brew on Friday. Yesterday I did a side by side comparison of UK versions of Staropraman and urquell as my son is a fan of Staropraman and Urquell has been doing well in the world cup. wanting to see if I can get something close enough but not worried about an exact clone.
I preferred the Urquell but my wife and son both preferred the slightly less bitter Staropraman.

 

[jceg316]

I meant to update this thread after doing some research. I actually thought I did but I either updated a different thread or dreamt it.

Anyway, I found a bottle of Staropramen in my local Tesco and the label said it was brewed under licence by a UK brewery, that explains why it tastes so different. I did find a 6 pack of Urquell cans which were brewed at the Plzen brewery and imported. Awesome! I bought the 6 pack and took it home. I think it was only £6 or so.

I had one immediately when I got home and it wasn't great, but it was a room temperature lager so I wasn't expecting much. I put another in fridge and had it the next day but it wasn't too much better. The problem was it was far too bitter and hop forward with a watery mouthfeel, more like a sub par generic English IPA than a malty lager, but I did notice this beer colder == more flavours that I want.

I stuck one at the back of the fridge where lesser foods freeze over, but again it wasn't at all the same. Which leads me to believe either a different recipe for cans where they're cutting corners somewhere, or at home I just can't get the beer cold enough.

 

[Honk]

Just checked the bottle of Urquell I have and it states brewed and bottled in Plzen. So it is the genuine article. I wonder if the difference is that it has been pasteurised and what you get from a bar in Prague probably hasn't.

 

[GerritT]

I've got a Czech pils planned to brew on Friday. Yesterday I did a side by side comparison of UK versions of Staropraman and urquell as my son is a fan of Staropraman and Urquell has been doing well in the world cup. wanting to see if I can get something close enough but not worried about an exact clone.
I preferred the Urquell but my wife and son both preferred the slightly less bitter Staropraman.

The Greg Hughes version of the pilsner? Excellent choice! Take care to mash not too cold, otherwise it will dry out a bit and you want it a tad sweeter.

 

[Honk]

The Greg Hughes version of the pilsner? Excellent choice! Take care to mash not too cold, otherwise it will dry out a bit and you want it a tad sweeter.

That's the one but thought I would up the ibu to about 30 rather than the 25 in the recipe. What mash temperature do you recommend? Think the recipe states 65c. I'm using the Urquell yeast. (Wlp800)

 

[Brew_DD2]

Urquell is still brewed in Czech Republic thankfully. UK Staropramen is dreadful compared to the genuine article.

 

[jceg316]

Just checked the bottle of Urquell I have and it states brewed and bottled in Plzen. So it is the genuine article. I wonder if the difference is that it has been pasteurised and what you get from a bar in Prague probably hasn't.

I wouldn't be surprised if this is the case actually. I think those pilsner urquell tanks have yeast in and that tastes like the real deal.

 

[GerritT]

4

That's the one but thought I would up the ibu to about 30 rather than the 25 in the recipe. What mash temperature do you recommend? Think the recipe states 65c. I'm using the Urquell yeast. (Wlp800)

Around 3º more than the original. Gravity would become (guesstimated) 5 points lower, about 0,6% ABV less.
But WLP800 has a high-ish attenuation (75-80%?) so it might chew through those sugars as well. Mashing over 70º perhaps?? But that's really unknown territory.

 

[Honk]

4

Around 3º more than the original. Gravity would become (guesstimated) 5 points lower, about 0,6% ABV less.
But WLP800 has a high-ish attenuation (75-80%?) so it might chew through those sugars as well. Mashing over 70º perhaps?? But that's really unknown territory.

After you posted this I did some research and found a few more recommendations for a higher mash temperature. Mash is on now at 68 rather than the 65 in g Hughes book.