pilseners

Pilseners is a term with two principal meanings in English: it can denote residents of Plzeň, a city in western Bohemia, or refer to the pale lager beer style that originated there. The term ultimately derives from the city’s name and is used differently in various languages.

As a demonym, Pilseners refer to people living in Plzeň, a historic brewing center and industrial city. Plzeň’s identity is closely tied to brewing traditions, regional culture, and the economic life of the Pilsen metropolitan area. Today, Pilseners come from diverse backgrounds but share connections to the city’s heritage.

The pilsner beer originated in Plzeň in 1842 when Josef Groll, a Bavarian-trained brewer, produced a pale, clear lager at the newly rebuilt Pilsner Urquell brewery. The beer’s bright appearance and balanced flavor helped define the pale lager category and influenced brewing worldwide.

Pilsners are typically pale gold to straw-colored, crystal-clear, with a light-to-moderate malt profile, a noticeable yet restrained hop bitterness, and a crisp, dry finish. They rely on bottom-fermenting lager yeasts and cold conditioning to achieve clarity and smoothness, with typical alcohol by volume around 4.2% to 5.5%.

Today, the term Pilsner is used worldwide for a broad family of pale lagers inspired by the Plzeň style. While many brands call their product pilsner or Pilsener, regional interpretations vary, and Pilsner Urquell remains a reference point.