Pilsner is a beer of all time, as true connoisseurs claim. This is argued by the fact that any beer is divided into ale and lager. The latter is more popular than the former. Almost 90% of lovers of this alcoholic drink drink beer lager. The difference is in the yeast from which the drink is made. Fermentation temperature also plays a large role . Lager beer is fermented slowly and at low temperatures, and ale - quickly and at high. Most manufacturers use the camp method, as it is safer and less predictable. But to put ale beer into mass production is almost impossible.
Therefore, such beer is brewed only by private breweries. So we can say that the Pilsner Urquel beer is handmade beer, which requires a certain aging and temperature.
Appearance story
In the 40s of the 19th century, 3,600 liters of beer were produced at a Czech brewery, which made a splash in brewing at that time. Beer of a new generation completely changed people's perception of the taste and appearance of the drink.
At the beginning of October 1842, a drink was presented at the fair, the color of which poured from light golden to amber. And a few months later, Pilsner beer became known not only throughout the Czech Republic, but also abroad. With its appearance begins the story of many nowadays famous beer brands. At the same time, few can explain why most manufacturers of light beer began to copy this particular kind of Pilsner beer. One version claims that this was due to the color of the drink. Its amber-golden color shimmers so beautifully in the sun that beer lovers began to buy it en masse. Naturally, the level of sales rose significantly, and profits grew. Accordingly, other manufacturers also wanted to take advantage of such a marketing move and began to produce beer similar in color and taste to Pilsner's. It is this information that the manufacturer gives on the reverse beer label.
Beer "Volters Pilsner" is of good quality, many perceive it as German. This is influenced by its name. Although it should be rightly noted that later this beer was produced at German breweries. But, in fact, this is Czech beer, which marked the beginning of many German brands.
Fake
Due to the fact that beer from Pilsner malt was popular, unscrupulous brewers of that time quickly orientated themselves and started brewing fakes very similar to the original. Copies were sold under the brands "Pils", "Pilsner" and many others. Subsequently, the name "Pilsner" began to be associated with any golden beer, and was not perceived as a brand of beer.
To protect their product from counterfeiting, manufacturers at the end of the 19th century added the word “Equell” to the original name. As a result, it began to be considered that the original name of the beer was Pilsner Urquel.
The beer of the century before last
Before we got a taste of beer that we can enjoy today, quality standards and beer recipes from Pilsner malt very often changed over several decades of brewing. This was also due to the rebels of that time. Fans of a beer when they felt that the taste of their favorite drink was changing for the worse, staged protests. Often, brewers listened to them and began to develop new production technologies.
Already in 1839 a new factory was built, which during the brewing of beer began to apply Bavarian technology. Beer aging experiments were carried out, during which lower fermentation was used. The advantage of this method was that the shelf life of beer was significantly increased.
This method was so successful that it was published in a Czech newspaper.
And only in 1813 Joseph Groll came to the brewery, who began to use new varieties of malt and production technology. It was he who released the first batch of Pilsner beer, the taste of which is known to us today. At that time, such a drink became revolutionary in brewing, thanks to the Bavarian style of aging.
Soon, thanks to the development of communication and transport, beer became known throughout Europe. And only in 1958, Pilsner beer was officially registered as a trademark.
Modern beer
Although the modern fermentation method has begun, fermentation using open barrels was still used at the Pilsner plant in the Czech Republic. And only in the early nineties of the last century this technology was changed. The use of large cylindrical tanks began. But this did not happen at all Pilsner breweries. Some still use old methods in order to be able to compare the taste of beer.
The phased production process of the most famous Czech beer
The good quality of the Volters Pilsner beer largely depends on which raw material it is made from. It is very important that the barley from which beer is brewed is of the Czech spring variety. It is grown in the regions of Moravia and Bohemia. And already malt is produced directly in the Pilsen brewery.
The first step in making beer
Malt is made from selected barley. To do this, barley is soaked in purified water. After this, it is necessary to leave the barley for five days until it sprouts. Then it is dried. After the germinated barley dries well, it must be ground.
Now the malt turns into a malt meal. Now the mashing process begins . Malt meal is mixed with water. The result should be a white mass of liquid consistency, which is called mash. Mashing is done in order to activate enzymes.
Saccharification method
This unique method has been used in the production process of Walter Pilsner beer for only a few decades. The third part of the malt is sent to the boiler and heated at a certain constant temperature. The purpose of this process is to dissolve the malt substances to form malt sugar. And already as a result of such a long procedure, a wort is obtained.
Filtration
During the filtration of the malt mass, malt substances that do not dissolve are separated. They are called grains. In the filtration procedure, these substances settle at the bottom of the vat. The rest of the mass passes through the filter to the wort boiler.
Then, while boiling the wort, hops are added to it.
Adding hops
For the preparation of this Czech beer using a well-known variety of hops. The secret of the Pilsner beer recipe is that for brewing it in a Czech brewery, only cones of female inflorescences of atec mid-ripe hops are used exclusively. It is thanks to this that beer acquires its inherent bitterness and aroma.
So, the addition of hops occurs in three stages. On the first, hops are added in the form of granules, which previously get rid of ballast substances. Due to the fact that hops are granulated, it can be kept fresh year-round.
The process of boiling the wort with the addition of hops should be very intensive so that the drink acquires its characteristic bitterness.
At the second stage, both fresh hops and granules can be added to the wort. It all depends on what period the drink is brewed. The same applies to the third stage of adding hops.
An important process is fermentation.
At this point, yeast is added to begin the fermentation process. Since 1842, a special kind of yeast has been used for fermentation, which is stored all the time in cold stores.
Before adding yeast, the liquid must be cooled. This is necessary in order to enable yeast cells to multiply. In the process of fermentation, sugar, which appeared even during cooking, is converted into alcohol and carbon dioxide due to yeast.
Fermentation takes place over twelve days. After that, the drink can be safely called a young beer, which is poured into large containers and stored in them for another month at low temperatures.
The last step in making beer
After the beer is aged for a month, it is filtered and poured into kegs. In addition to kegs, beer can be bottled in glass bottles, aluminum cans, tanks or, as they are also called, beer tanks.
Before bottling beer, cans or other containers go through the pasteurization step. The exception is only tanks. Since the beer that is stored in them is intended for consumption in a short time, they do not need pasteurization.
But not all brewed beer is bottled for sale. A certain amount of the drink is stored in oak barrels in the beer cellars of the city of Pilsen.
Therefore, if you manage to visit this city, be sure to go on a tour of the Pilsner Brewery, where you can taste delicious unfiltered and unpasteurized beer.
Varieties of beer TM "Pilsner"
Beer Volters Pilsner is one of the many varieties of Polsner beer that is produced in Germany. The taste of beer invigorates and refreshes, a little bitter. Its color is light golden.
The brewery that brews this beer is located in northern Germany. It exists from the XVII century. But they started brewing beer using modern Czech technologies only at the beginning of the last century. During the Second World War, the brewery was almost destroyed. But a few years later it was completely restored and sold.
Today the Voster brewery is independent. Beer "Ephesus Pilsner" got its name from the city in which it began to brew. It began to be manufactured in Turkey in the middle of the last century. Has a drink golden yellow color. It tastes a bit sweet, has no bitterness. Today it is made in eleven countries of the world.
Lidskoye Pilsner beer is a Belarusian analogue of the famous beer brand, which differs significantly from the original in taste, quality and even appearance.
Uniqueness of taste
Since its inception, beer has been appreciated for its unique taste and harmonious combination of aromas. In addition, this drink in terms of taste combines perfectly with many culinary dishes and snacks. This drink is a good aperitif. This makes it possible to enjoy the fullness of its taste and arouses appetite.
Smoked meat, cheeses, bread croutons and more are perfect as an appetizer for beer. Thanks to its bitter taste and lack of sweet notes, beer can be drunk with many salty dishes.
Pilsner beer is one of the few brands of modern beer that can be served as an alternative to wine. But it is worth noting that beer can be a substitute not for all types of wines, but only for those that are usually served with meat dishes of lamb or beef. The taste of this beer perfectly emphasizes the taste of such a dish, and in some cases perfectly complements it.
Most gourmets and chefs around the world prefer this particular brand of beer. When serving such a drink, it is important to consider its temperature. Best of all, it reveals its aroma and taste at a temperature of a maximum of plus seven degrees. Also, the temperature affects the consistency of the foam that forms on beer. With proper supply, the foam remains not only dense, but also thick for a long time, which protects the beer from premature oxidation.
Beer "Pilsner". Reviews
True connoisseurs of beer can appreciate its slightly bitter, noble taste. It is preferred more by men than women. But those who have tasted this beer in the Czech Republic argue that it’s worth at least once to go to a bar or restaurant specifically to taste this beer.