SOCIAL EVENTS

Pilsner Urquell (or Plzeňský prazdroj, in Czech) is undoubtedly one of the most famous beers in the world, if not even the most famous one. It was the world's first pale lager – a bottom-fermented light beer, and it was brewed for the first time on 5th October 1842 by Josef Groll in the then-so-called Burghers' Brewery in Plzeň. Nowadays, the Pilsner Urquell Brewery proudly continues its over 180-year-long tradition. The brewery and its famous cellars have been made accessible for excursions, and there is a considerable lot to offer to an interested visitor. Thus, we will follow the fascinating history of the world's most sought-after beer, from the copper brewing pots to the deep dark cellars, and discover the golden sparkling magic hidden down there...

Pilsner Urquell Brewery Gate. Photo © Kamil & Filip Ekštein, 2022

As the popularity of Pilsner Urquell pale lager is immense, it is much copied all around the world, and the copies are named usually named pils, pilsner or pilsener – all these names refer to our city, Plzeň (or Pilsen, in German). It is hopped with famous Žatec (or Saaz, in German) hops, a noble hop variety which is a key element in its flavour profile, as is the use of soft water from extraordinarily deep wells located right inside the brewery cellars.

Almost all draught Pilsner Urquell is sold filtered, but small quantities are available in limited amounts unfiltered. The majority of the beer is sold in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany and South Korea, it is also sold in China, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Sweden, Hungary and Austria. In recent years, the unpasteurized "tank" version of the beer has become increasingly available. (from Wikipedia)

The excursion will take approx. 2 hours of (mostly) walking around and under the brewery grounds. The tour is accessible to disabled persons. For the visit of the cellars, we recommend warmer clothes, as the temperature down there is normally around +5 °C. The beer tasting included in the excursion is available only to visitors aged 18 or more.

The described event is being planned and it is here for you to get a notion about what you may expect. Please, note that especially the time and the schedule of the event might change a little bit.

Traditional beer delivery. Photo © Plzeňský Prazdroj, a. s.

Pilsner Urquell beer. Photo © Plzeňský Prazdroj, a. s.

Brewing kettles. Photo © Plzeňský Prazdroj, a. s.

The Monastery of Premonstratensian Sisters in Chotěšov.
Photo © Kamil Ekštein, 2023.

The Monastery of Premonstratensian Sisters in Chotěšov.
Photo © Kamil Ekštein, 2023.

The West-bohemian countryside is literally full of various baroque gems, be it churches, monasteries, fortified chateaus, village houses, granaries, and other structures. Several famous architects worked in this part of the historic Czech lands and left remarkable monuments behind. To name just the best-known of them, let us recall Jan Blažej Santini-Aichel (1677-1723), whose major works represent the unique Baroque Gothic style – a unique combination of the Baroque and Gothic styles which cannot be seen anywhere else, or Kilián Ignác Dientzenhofer (1689-1751), or Giacomo Agustoni (1668-1735).

The latter named architect designed (probably) the monastery of Premonstratensian Sisters in Chotěšov – an architectonic oeuvre of high Baroque which is kind of forgotten in the West-bohemian countryside and enjoys much less attention than what it deserves.

The Chotěšov monastery is a beautiful and mystic place above the Radbuza river and thanks to exceptional willingness of its warden, we will have a unique chance to see it from cellars to attics.