If you’ve been lucky enough to visit the Czech Republic then you know the beer is good. But there’s one that reigns supreme – Pilsner Urquell. Since it was first brewed in 1842, Plzeňský Prazdroj (better known worldwide as Pilsner Urquell) has been a staple in the majority of Czech bars and restaurants. The beer’s flavor profile is so successfully balanced that today the vast majority of beers produced globally often use the original Pilsner Urquell method.
Pilsner Urquell owes a large part of its success to its birthplace, the city of Plzen. And, every year, on October 4, Plzen honors its favorite export with a festival at the Pilsner Brewery to celebrate the anniversary of the day the first batch was brewed. The festival is a great opportunity for locals and visitors to bond over their mutual love of the famous draft.
The festival offers a great party atmosphere for fans of good beer and a good time. There are plenty of beers, freshly brewed in the original method, to sample and purchase. But there’s much more to do than simply sip on Pilsner; there are tons of fun activities as well as a music program.
Visitors are encouraged to arrive in period dress that harkens back to 1842. You can watch traditional beer-making and even give it a try yourself. Guided tours are offered of the brewery and the Brewery Museum along with the historic underground area of Plzen which has been utilized to store beer and other goods since the 14th century. Finally, you can watch the finale of the Pilsner Urquell Master Bartender international competition.
At the end of the night, be sure to grab a beer in time for the big event. Every year they toast everyone attending with the goal being to break the record for the most people participating in one single toast!
The Plzen Pilsner Fest is held annually on October 4. Prices vary based on tours and activities.
http://www.czechtourism.com/e/pilsner-fest/
https://travelsquire.com/ts/czech-republic/stories/