Prazdroj

Prazdroj is the name used for the Plzeňský Prazdroj brewery in Plzeň, Czech Republic, and for the beer brands produced there. The most famous product is Pilsner Urquell, widely recognized as the original pale lager and the inspiration for the pilsner beer style.

In the 1840s, the city of Plzeň invited a new brewery to improve local beer quality. Bavarian brewer Josef Groll was brought in to create a pale lager using soft water from Plzeň, pale malt, Saaz hops, and a carefully controlled fermentation. The first batches produced as Pilsner Urquell in Plzeň in 1842 established a light, golden beer with a distinctive hop aroma and a clean, crisp finish. The success of Pilsner Urquell helped popularize the pilsner style worldwide.

The brewery remains a major producer in the Czech Republic. Its production now includes several brands beyond Pilsner Urquell, such as Gambrinus and Kozel, among others marketed in various countries. The Pilsner Urquell beer is known for its characteristic pale color, full body, and balance of malt sweetness and bitterness from Saaz hops.

The site also features a historic brewery complex and a visitor center with tours and a museum dedicated to the history of brewing and the pilsner style.