The exquisite city of Prague is proudly wrapped in a thousand years of history. It’s seen good times and bad times. Communism and Capitalism. But any way you look at it, this city is intoxicating. It’s not just the sights and sounds that make the capital of the Czech Republic so special — it’s the beer!
You see, the Czech Republic is the birthplace of a very special beer: Pilsner! This stuff has been imitated, it’s been copied, but you won’t find anything like the original “pil”. And we’re not talking about the one taken the morning after, either.
First, let’s backtrack just a tad.
Beer goes back to the very beginnings of human society. But throughout all those years, right up until the 1840s, beer tended to be dark and cloudy. And the fact that beer was always served in ceramic tankards made it almost impossible to tell what colour one’s libation was anyway. Then, just as glassblowing techniques finally evolved to produce crystal-clear vessels for beer-drinking, along came a recipe and method that made the beer clear, too.
Now, about an hour’s drive west of Prague lies the region of Bohemia and the town of Pilsen. It was here, in the dark rich soil of the farmer’s fields surrounding Pilsen, that the first seeds of a great Czech beer were sewn — barley and very special hops called Zatac.
So what’s the deal with Zatac hops? Well, this stuff only grows in Bohemia and their taste is totally unique. In fact, this stuff is so tasty that way back when, the ruler of the day, King Wenceslas (yes, Wenceslas was King of Bohemia hundreds of years ago and, no, he’s not the guy in the Christmas Carol) ordered the death penalty for anybody caught trying to take clippings of Zatac hops out of the country! These guys are serious about their hops!
Today, Zatac hops still take center stage at Pilsen’s Urquell Brewery — one of the largest breweries in Europe and a Mecca for beer drinkers. This is where we get to the bottom of our Pilsner story. Literally!
You see, 160 years ago, Urquell’s brewmaster figured out that if you added yeast to the mash down in the cellars where it is cold, the yeast will sink. And the beer will be fermented from the bottom up. Well, bottom-fermentation at cool temperatures resulted in a beer that was a beautiful golden colour — and clear!
Down the road in the town of Budweiss, they make another wonderful Pilsner beer called Budvar. Our friends in the United States drink a beer named after the town of Budweiss, but take it from the Thirsty Traveler, you just can’t beat the original!
These Bohemians know a thing or two about beer, and cooking with beer, too! Pilsner beer is a wonderful addition to many dishes, especially meat stews and casseroles. Rabbit stew, in particular, benefits immensely from a healthy shot of Pilsner beer. Toss in some carrots, onions, celery, parsley and sautéed dried plums and you’ve got one of the tastiest concoctions you’ll ever enjoy!
There’s something very special about being in Prague and in the Czech Republic. This country has seen so many changes and ups and downs yet through it all – there’s been beer. The one, the only, the original — Pilsner!
So here’s a healthy Na zdraví to the Czech Republic and it’s perfect Pilsner beer. Cheers!
