Prague Blog: Beer me that social status

If baseball is as American as apple pie, then beer is as Czech as beer.

Beer is everywhere here. The Czech Republic is the world's largest consumer of beer per capita than any other country, and that's by a long-shot. The modern pale lager was invented here in 1842 in the town of Pilsen, and the pale lager has been the basis for most popular beers ever since. Beer is cheaper than bottled water here, and it's available pretty much anywhere that serves food.

The drinking age here is 18, so I've been able to sample most of the major Czech beers. I've also learned a great deal about the cultural and social differences between all of these beers, and so, keeping in line with RWV's frost-brewed summer, I present to the faithful Prague Blog readers a loud American's summary of the Czech beer tradition. Na zdravi*!

Pilsner Urquell
This is that aforementioned first pale lager. It is probably the most popular beer in the Czech Republic, although it is not without its very serious competitors. "Pilsner" refers to the town of Pilsen, where the beer is brewed, and "Urquell" is German for "original." This one of the big marketing points of Pilsner, and that's part of the reason I think it sells well. Draft Pilsner is served very often in a short, wide-mouthed mug, which, according to our PSSI friend Tomas, means that this is a beer for the working man. I really like the taste of Pilsner, and I can see why it is the most popular here.

Staropramen
This Prague-brewed beer is pretty much a standard on most Prague restaurant menus. Served in a tall glass or mug, it is seen as an urban beer, but doesn't seem to have much personality attached to it. The name means "old spring."  Lots of Czechs drink it probably because it is fairly cheap, especially in Prague. I can actually see the brewer from my hotel room, which is pretty cool. The light Staropramen is a little like watered-down Pilsner, while the dark is much tastier.

Budějovický Budvar
With all the chaos surrounding the fate of old American beer giant Anheuser-Busch, it's interesting to see that this is not the first European controversy the makers of Budweiser, King of Beers, is embroiled in. Enter Budweiser, a Czech beer company that has been making Budvar longer than A-B. From the town of Budweis in Bohemia, this Czech staple beer was locked in a trademark dispute with A-B over the right to the name Budweiser. The Czech Budweiser was first exported to the US in 1871, while the American Budweiser did not start selling until 1876. The current company that produces Budvar now labels the beer Czechvar in the North America. Now, on to the beer. I've had Budvar served to me in a short, wide chalice, which I am told indicates a certain level of sophistication among Czech beer drinkers. The dark is fantastic, and it has been my favorite. It is richer in flavor than Pilsner, and much more enjoyable with the hearty cuisine found in the Czech Republic.

Gambrinus
Gambrinus is my least favorite Czech beer. It is served in a similar type of mug to Pilsner, but the similiarities end there. It is marketed to the common man, often younger men with less money to spend. The light tastes thin and watery, and it wasn't too enjoyable to drink with the meal I had it with. I haven't it ordered it since that meal, and it isn't too common in Prague restaurants. I certainly wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking to experience some quality Czech beer.

*Czech for "Cheers!"