A Conversation with our Brewers: The Story of Pilsner

Spring is the season of renewal and rejuvenation. It is a time to reinvigorate, when nature provides bountiful examples of inspiration and growth, and the story of Pilsner is the epitome of the promises of Spring.

The origin of Pilsner is rooted in a desire for change. The citizens of Pilsen, Bohemia had grown frustrated with the extremely poor quality of the ale brewed by the city. In a show of protest, they marched the Capital and drained 36 barrels of the inferior beer into the sewers. They then founded the Bürgerbrauerei (German for “Citizen’s Brewery”), intent on refining the quality of the beer in Pilsen.

Architect Martin Stelzer was tasked with studying breweries around the world to find inspiration for this beer renaissance in Pilsen. He returned from his travels with renowned Bavarian brewer Josef Groll, and the two set out to build the brewery that would revitalize the beers of Pilsen. The outcome would change the landscape of beer as we know it. The use of light malts and noble Saaz hops, coupled with soft water and ideal lagering conditions, produced a bright, refreshing beer worlds away from the cask ales that they were used to. The revolutionary brewery and beer that Martin and Josef built became Pilsner Urquell, a world-renowned beer still thriving today.

Pilsner is a style that has, by and large, dominated the beer landscape since its inception. Today, over two-thirds of beers produced are inspired in some way by the Pilsner style. In the words of brewing legend Jim Koch of Boston Beer Company, “Pilsner represents the high art of brewing, and when they’re done right, are a masterpiece much like Mona Lisa’s smile.” Pilsner is the perfect balance of bitterness, spiciness, sweetness and body all in perfect harmony, with no single component overshadowing another. It is a style synonymous with refreshment in the beer industry.

At Blackberry Farm Brewery, we begin brewing BFB Pilsner around the Spring Equinox, when the Spring days finally come back into balance with Winter’s long nights. The arrival of Pilsner in our brewhouse is a poetic reminder of the art of balance, the beauty of change, and a welcome glimpse into the warm, bright days of refreshment that lie ahead.