Pilsner Urquell is the brewery that invented an entire beer style. Founded in 1842 in Plzeň, Czech Republic, it was here that Bavarian brewmaster Josef Groll first tapped a glass of what would become the world's first golden lager — clear, pale, and crisply bitter in a way the world had never seen. The city of Plzeň itself dates back to 1295, and it was the citizens of this historic Bohemian city who commissioned the creation of a beer worthy of their town. That first batch, brewed on 5 October 1842, gave rise to an entirely new beer category: the Pilsner. Today, Pilsner Urquell remains brewed in the same city where it all began, deep in the historic cellars of the Plzeň brewery. The beer is a classic Czech Pilsner lager — golden, hop-forward, and defined by the soft Bohemian water, Saaz hops, and the distinctive bottom-fermentation process that made it revolutionary. As the flagship brand of Plzeňský Prazdroj, which operates a portfolio of over 50 beers across 12 brands, Pilsner Urquell holds approximately 50% of the domestic Czech market across its broader brand portfolio. The brewery in Plzeň is one of the most visited beer destinations in Central Europe, offering guided tours and tastings deep within its legendary cellars. Pilsner Urquell is currently owned by Japanese brewing giant Asahi. For any beer lover, a visit to the source of the world's first Pilsner is nothing short of a pilgrimage.