Happiness is: reaching the gates of the Pilsner Urquell in Plzen, Czech Republic
When ABI took over SAB in 2016, the local beer industry was filled with questions: would they decide to crush craft? Would Budweiser replace Black Label as South Africa’s favourite beer? How many jobs would be lost? And perhaps most worryingly of all, how would I get my Pilsner Urquell fix?
The takeover came with many provisos, introduced to ensure ABI didn’t yield too much global beer power – and one of those provisos was the sale of Pilsner Urquell, then owned by SABMiller. The centuries’ old Czech beer was snapped up by Japanese brewery Asahi and quicker than you could say promiňte, prosím, mohl bych získat další půllitr původního plzeňského stroje*, my beloved pilsner was gone.
*Google translate is hilarious – I typed in “excuse me, please could I get another pint of the original pilsner”. Try posting the Czech version above and translating it back to English…
Earlier this year I finally made the pilgrimage to Plzen to taste the beer at the source. You can read more about that in the summer issue of On Tap, but for now, let’s just say I drank copious amounts of PU and never got bored of doing so.
Those who know me know just how much I love this beer. They WhatsApp photos of it when they travel and the best of them bring a bottle or two back to share (thanks Cam, thanks Briiiiiian). Some don’t understand the infatuation, the obsession that many brewers, beer writers and general beer nerds have with the original pilsner (that’s right, it’s not just me – without giving too many spoliers, get yourself a copy of Mark Dredge’s The Best Beer in the World and you’ll see that). So just what is it about this beer that is just so special?
If I had to sum it up in a single word it would be balance. It is a deliciously malty beer with an initial bready, slightly biscuity sweetness. But the bitterness is assertive and long and cleansing. It makes you go back for another sip and before you know it, your whole bottle is gone and your beer review is barely written; before you know if you are five pints in at the brewery and not once did it cross your mind that you might like to drink something else.
Happiness is: having a case of PU hand delivered to your door as soon as the container was unloaded (thanks Brad xxx)
It is a beer that is in equal parts approachable to the everyday drinker and as complex as the triple decoction mashing process that’s needed to create it. It is equally at home as an all-day quaffer and as a partner for food, though if I’m honest, for me the best pairing is another bottle of the same.
It is the perfect beer to drink in my hammock as I write this, because folks, following a two-year drought that quite frankly was every bit as bad as Cape Town’s better known drought; two years of lamenting and begging and dreaming and hoping, Pilsner Urquell has made a return to South African shores. For now, it’s in 330ml bottles only, but there is talk of kegs possibly coming in at a later date.
When I have more info – pricing, stockists and such – I will share it on Facebook and Twitter, but for now, know that Pilsner Urquell is making its way to select South African liquor stores and perhaps the odd bar or restaurant. Taste it when you can and tell me what you think.
UPDATE: A case (24 bottles) or PU is retailing for around R500, while a six-pack is retailing at R139. So, y’know, it pays to buy by the case… (Disclosure – I am not on commission for PU. I just want you to drink good beer. And also, the greater the demand, the greater the chance it will remain on South African shelves!!)
This must, indeed, be some of the best news for 2019! I agree: once you’ve enjoyed it unfiltered, underground, in Plzen… Can’t wait to fill my Pilsner Urquell glasses with the real deal again soon.
Oddly enough, I actually prefer the filtered version. This really surprised me!! Enjoy your next pint of the good stuff!!
This is fantastic news! I remember how much I liked it when it first came to SA (just after SAB bought them). I still have many Ristal PU glasses, 1 came bundled when you bought a case. PU is the reason why pilsner is on my list of “beers to master brewing”. I remember once we had a South Yeasters event and SAB was involved, and Dennis brought a keg of PU which I swore just came off the ship straight to our event, it was just so fresh & full. I envy those of you who could visit the source and taste it right there
Hey Leon. I also remember a SY event where Denis poured PU from an unlabelled jockey box!! Those were the days! Hopefully it will be back in keg soon as well, but it’s almost as good in the bottle. Cheers!
I almost cried tears of sheer joy when Manie (owner Roeland Liquors) posted on FB the happy return of the best beer in the whole damn world. Like you, Lucy, I had a very confusing, frustrating and ultimately disappointing two years since my beloved PU suddenly disappeared from offie- shelves and pubs around CT. I tried Becks. I tried Stella. I tried Tafel. No good. I even wrote a long-winded letter to SAB, pleading the return of PU.To no avail, of course. Now the balance of my beer universe has been restored! I sit here, typing, with an ice cold one to my left. I’ll drink the 48 (all that was available at Roeland!) sparingly. And lovingly. Savoring every last drop (at R1000 for two cases this goes without saying). Thanks for a great article. So glad there are other locals who feel so passionate about Pilsner Urquell. A visit to Plzern is in the bucket list. One day. I swear. Until then: twoje zdrowie! Pieter R, Milnerton, CT.
Whoop! Enjoy the beers Pieter – let’s hope Roeland gets another shipment soon!
Any idea who’s distributing it now? If we come right we could list it #atBEERHOUSE again…
it’s Beverage People
I fell in love with this beer while visiting Prague,ever since I have been searching for it all over SA and Namibia!!I just ordered a case a Roeland…CANNOT wait
Hi Lucy, no doubt the Pilsner Urquell is by far the best beer in the world. Please, where to buy PU in SA? I would need 120-150 cans or bottles next week urgently. We are arriving to Joburg on Thursday 7-th. Many thanks for your help. Petr
Hey Petr. A message from the distributor:
Tops Radiokop, Loco Liquors Blairgowrie and Loco Liquors Crowthorne got fairly large orders this week so should still have stock. Alternatively they could contact a liquor store local to them and order in special
Dear Lucy, it’s like a wind of hope😄 The places you mentioned are a bit out of our range (going from O.R.Tambo to Drakensberg, direction Durban), but I will try for example Liq Liquor Warehouse in 119 Hennie Alberts St. Thanks Petr
Good luck. It’s not being widely distributed so you’re not going to find it in any old liquor store…only places with a solid beer selection…
Any ideas where you can buy it in Jhb? Thanks
Hi Phil – you could try Tops Radiokop, Loco Liquors Blairgowrie and Loco Liquors Crowthorne or contact https://twitter.com/BeveragePeople – they’re the distributor. cheers!
Any idea where I can get it in pta after the lockdown that’s my favorite beer.
They were available at the Liquor City in the Groenkloof centre.
You can check out bottlestore.co.za but I don’t think they’ll be delivering nationwide until things normalise a bit. I chatted to the distributor and they’re looking into which stores in PTA have stock (hopefully it won’t all sell the second prohibition is lifted!!)
where can i purchase pilsner urquell ?
i live in port elizabeth .
regards ernest
Hey Ernest – head to https://bottlestore.co.za/. They are now doing nationwide delivery!
Hi there, I’m around the Free State at Kroonstad. Where can I get PU around FS.
Hey Lebo
You can order from https://bottlestore.co.za/ or https://www.bestcraftbeer.co.za/. I think both deliver nationwide…
Cheers!
Hi there.
I’ve been looking for it and still to this dsy can’t find it
Hey Bruce. There is only one company bringing it in – https://bottlestore.co.za/. You can buy online and at certain liquor stores. Alas, at the moment the shipment is trapped at the harbour in Cape Town due to a backlog. If you keep an eye on my social media accounts I will announce when it’s back!
Hi is there any stockists with stock in JHB, Specifically Sandton if possible.
Hey Matt – sorry for the slow reply. The shipment is en route but at present there’s no stock. Keep an eye on my social media accounts – I will post as soon as it’s available again!
Hello, fellow P.U. lovers. I’m an admirer of this great beer. I called the distributor today and they said we might have stock by end of October. They also mentioned that one can buy online from https://bottlestore.co.za. They are https://beveragepeople.co.za/catalogue/pilsner-urquell/ but they only sell to retailers. We’ll hopefully have a good December.
Just to back Lucy on the Joburg retailers: Tops Radiokop definitely stocks it when it’s available. Liquor City Radiokop (Honey Junction) used to stock it, but the space has just been taken over by Pick n Pay. Liquor City Beyers Naude also stocks it. I got my last 6 pack two weeks ago at Liquor City Blackheath.
Thanks for the update Bandi. I miss having this beer in my fridge. And glass. And belly 😀
Hi there,
I clearly missed some clearance sale because I have been trying for the last year to get my hands on this treasure and no luck. http://www.bottlesore.co.za never seem to have stock, including the retailers… I will start a riot and drop kick random people in the face if that’s what it takes to get my gummy bear juice!
Does anyone know of any other means to obtain PU, or perhaps the import schedule? I am thirsty…
Haha, if I knew, I wouldn’t tell anyone. Would buy it all myself mwahahahahahaha.
Kidding. Apparently there have been some hold-ups. It’s not just you – there’s been none in the stores for over a year. Let’s see if I can get an update…
As of posting this (8 April 2022) I found a retailer with stock:
https://bottlestore.co.za/buy/pilsner-urquell/