make a Czech-style inspired lager (our Summit Dakota Soul Craft Lager) and a German-style lager (our Summit Keller Pils), we’ll focus the characteristics of these two.Ĭzech-style pilsners are pale gold in color and brilliantly clear. However, while each had distinct characteristics, they all maintained the same make-up: ingredients of only lager yeast, malt, hops and water, clean flavors, a balanced body and a crisp finish.Īs we here at Summit Brewing Co. (credit: Summit Brewing Co.)Īs the style spread it took on a few variations – the traditional Czech-style, German-style and American-style. By the 1870’s, the style had spread throughout the then Austro-Hungarian territory into France and beyond. Groll ended his time in Bohemia in 1845 and returned to Germany, bringing the lager recipe with him. In 1842, he brewed the first beer with these ingredients, the beer now known as the Czech Lager. Groll brought with him the Bavarian technique of cool fermenting yeasts, which he combined with local Saaz hops, pale malts and the soft water of Bohemia. This, along with variations in brewing methods, lead to varied quality and taste.Īfter the barrels were dumped, the city founded a brewery – now known as Pilsner Urquell – and brought in a Bavarian brewer, Josef Groll, to create a better beer. The belief is that there was contamination with the top-fermenting yeasts brewers had been using for years. In fact, according to Beer and Brewing, in 1838 people were so upset with the flavor they dumped barrels of ale in the streets. The story goes that while the Bohemian city of Pilsen had been brewing beer since the end of the 13 th century, by the 1830’s citizens were becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the taste. Unlike some other styles, there’s not too much mystery to how the pilsner came about. So, while pilsners have grown to become the most popular beer style in the world, the original is the Czech version. “Pilsner” is an English word that translates to “from Pilsen.” Pilsen is the city in the now Czech Republic where this style was born.
In the case of Pilsners, this question is pretty easy to answer: The Czech Pilsner. (credit: Summit Brewing Co.) Which Came First? With that, let’s dive into the differences between Czech-style Pilsners and German-Style Pilsners. We’ve already explored Pale Ales versus India Pale Ales and Stouts versus Porters, so this time we thought we’d break down variations within a style.
Well, sounds like we’re doing another edition of “What’s the Difference?”
While many are quite distinct in their malt-to-hop ratio or flavor profile, some truly are just variations of each other. In the world of craft beer choosing a style to enjoy can often be a daunting task.