Pilsner Urquell Brewery
Historic Czech brewery in Plzeň whose pale lager established the Pilsner beer style. A Czech brewing company based in Plzeň, known for the Pilsner brewing tradition and the Pilsner Urquell brand.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Pilsner Urquell Brewery, legally known as Plzeňský Prazdroj, is a historic Czech brewery based in Plzeň, Bohemia. Its institutional origins date to 1839, when local Czech- and German-speaking burghers established the Bürgerbrauerei, or citizens’ brewery. The brewery’s first beer was produced in 1842 by Bavarian brewer Josef Groll. That bottom-fermented, pale lager was markedly different from many darker beers then common in Central Europe and became the foundation of the modern Pilsner category. The brewery’s signature beer is Pilsner Urquell, known in Czech as Prazdroj. The name means approximately “original source at Pilsen” and was adopted as a trademark in 1898, alongside the Czech Prazdroj mark, to emphasize the beer’s status as the original Pilsner. The style’s popularity led to widespread imitation, and pale lager subsequently became one of the dominant beer forms worldwide. The brewery therefore occupies an unusually influential position in brewing history: its product is not only a regional specialty but also the historical reference point for beers commonly described as pils, pilsner, or pilsener. During the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the brewery expanded production and developed export markets. A rival Plzeň brewery, later associated with Gambrinus, was established in 1869. By 1913, the brewery’s output reportedly exceeded 100 million litres and its commercial representation extended to dozens of countries. Several Plzeň brewing businesses were consolidated during the interwar period. Following the Second World War, the breweries were placed under national administration and nationalized in 1946 as part of the state-owned Plzeňské pivovary system. Later reorganizations separated regional brewing operations and trademark administration before privatization began after the political changes of 1989. The modern company emerged through privatization and corporate restructuring. Plzeňské pivovary, a joint-stock company, was established in 1992, and the company adopted the name Plzeňský Prazdroj in 1994. In 1999 it merged with breweries associated with Radegast and Velké Popovice and became part of South African Breweries, later SABMiller. In 2016, SABMiller agreed to sell the Plzeňský Prazdroj business to Asahi as part of the regulatory remedies connected with Anheuser-Busch InBev’s acquisition of SABMiller. The transaction was completed in 2017, making the brewery part of Asahi’s international beer operations. Pilsner Urquell remains associated with traditional brewing methods, including triple decoction and extended lagering. The brewery presents continuity of recipe, brewing location, ingredients, cellar practice, and serving culture as central to the brand’s identity, although the wider company has also operated a broad Czech beverage portfolio. In addition to Pilsner Urquell, the Plzeňský Prazdroj business has been associated with brands such as Gambrinus, Velkopopovický Kozel, Radegast, Birell, Master, Primus, Klasik, Frisco, and Kingswood. The historic brewery complex and nearby Pivovarské muzeum support the brand’s role as a cultural and tourism institution as well as a producer. The brewery is regarded as one of the largest beer producers and exporters in the Czech Republic. Its public identity combines national brewing heritage, the authenticity claim implied by “Urquell,” international recognition, and participation in contemporary beer culture through festivals, tourism, and export activity. The brewery was also selected to participate in Expo 2025 in Osaka, where its stated role was to present Czech brewing heritage and the historical character of its beer.
History
Brewing in Plzeň has medieval roots, with the city founded in 1295 and records of a brewery and malt house appearing by 1307. The direct predecessor of the modern brewery was created in 1839, when Plzeň burghers founded the Bürgerbrauerei, later called Měšťanský pivovar. Construction took place between September 1839 and autumn 1840. On 5 October 1842, Bavarian brewer Josef Groll produced the brewery’s first pale, bottom-fermented lager. Its light color, clarity, pronounced hop character, and lagering method distinguished it from many beers common at the time. The beer became the historical origin of the Pilsner style. “Pilsner Bier” was registered locally as a brand name in 1859. The brewery expanded during the second half of the nineteenth century and began exporting from Plzeň to overseas markets, including America. A competing Plzeň brewery was founded in 1869 and later became associated with Gambrinus. In 1898, the German Urquell and Czech Prazdroj trademarks were created to identify the beer as the original source of Pilsner. The brewery’s corporate structure changed repeatedly in the early twentieth century. Its output exceeded 100 million litres by 1913, while its commercial representation reached 34 countries. Mergers and consolidations among Plzeň breweries continued from the 1920s into the early 1930s. After the Second World War, the businesses connected with Měšťanský pivovar and Plzeňské akciové pivovary were placed under national administration and nationalized in 1946 as Plzeňské pivovary. Further state-sector reorganizations followed, including the creation of Západočeské pivovary in 1964 and the organization of Plzeňský Prazdroj for trademark ownership and foreign customer relations. The political transformation beginning in 1989 led to organizational change and privatization. Plzeňské pivovary, a joint-stock company, was established in 1992, and the name Plzeňský Prazdroj was adopted in 1994. The company merged with Pivovar Radegast and Pivovar Velké Popovice in a process approved in 1999 and completed in 2002. It became part of South African Breweries in 1999; that group was subsequently known as SABMiller. Plzeňský Prazdroj became the Czech Republic’s largest beer exporter around 2000, when its production and export position surpassed that of Budějovický Budvar according to the cited historical account. In 2016, SABMiller agreed to sell the business to Asahi as part of the remedies required before Anheuser-Busch InBev could complete its acquisition of SABMiller. The transaction was concluded in 2017. The brewery continues to associate Pilsner Urquell with its original Plzeň location, traditional recipe, triple-decoction brewing, and historical lagering practices. Its heritage infrastructure includes the Pivovarské muzeum, established in an authentic medieval brewing complex containing a malt house, kiln, drying facilities, and underground cellars. The museum documents local brewing, malting, cooperage, transport, hospitality, and the development of Plzeň’s crafts. The brewery also maintains a public cultural presence through Pilsner Fest, a two-day festival featuring beer and local music.
- 2017
Became part of Asahi
[1]Ownership transferred from SABMiller to Asahi following the agreement associated with the SABMiller acquisition remedies.
- 2017
Transferred to Asahi Group
[5]Asahi Group Holdings completed the acquisition of Plzeňský Prazdroj and associated Central and Eastern European beer operations from Anheuser-Busch InBev.
- 2002
Merger completed
[1]The merger with Radegast and Velké Popovice was completed, creating a single Plzeňský Prazdroj joint-stock company, which became part of SABMiller following the merger of South African Breweries and Miller Brewing.
- 2002
Integrated into SABMiller
[9]Following the merger of South African Breweries and Miller Brewing, Plzeňský Prazdroj became part of SABMiller.
- 1999
Integration with Radegast and Velké Popovice
[1]The company entered a merger process with Pivovar Radegast and Pivovar Velké Popovice and joined South African Breweries.
- 1999
Became part of South African Breweries
[6]South African Breweries acquired control of the Czech brewing business, beginning its period within an international brewing group.
- 1994
Plzeňský Prazdroj name adopted
[1]The company adopted the name associated with its principal Czech beer.
- 1992
Post-communist joint-stock company established
[1]The post-socialist restructuring of Czech brewing led to the formation of the modern Plzeňský Prazdroj joint-stock company.
- 1946
Nationalization
[1]The Plzeň breweries were nationalized and organized as Plzeňské pivovary.
- 1913
Output exceeded 100 million litres
[1]The brewery reported output above 100 million litres and commercial representation in 34 countries.
Products and positioning
An authentic Czech brewing institution centered on the original Pilsner style, traditional production methods, export heritage, and the cultural identity of Plzeň. A historic Czech brewing house combining the origin story of pilsner with a broad portfolio of domestic, premium, regional, and alcohol-free beer brands. An authentic Czech brewing institution centered on the original Pilsner style, traditional production methods, export heritage, and the cultural identity of Plzeň, combining the origin story of pilsner with a broad portfolio of domestic, premium, regional, and alcohol-free beer brands.
Premium pale lager · 1842
Pilsner Urquell
The brewery’s defining product and the historical source of the Pilsner beer category. It is a pale, bottom-fermented lager associated with Plzeň, Saaz-type hop character, traditional triple decoction, and extended lagering. The reference material identifies it as a 4.4% ABV beer classified in Czech brewing terminology as 11° ležák. The company’s signature beer and the historic original Pilsen lager. It is known for its golden colour, pronounced hop bitterness, malty body, and use of traditional Czech brewing associations. Pilsner Urquell is distributed in draught, bottle, and can formats and serves as the principal international expression of the brewery’s heritage. The brewery's defining product and the historical source of the Pilsner beer category. It is a pale, bottom-fermented lager associated with Plzeň, Saaz-type hop character, traditional triple decoction, and extended lagering. The reference material identifies it as a 4.4% ABV beer classified in Czech brewing terminology as 11° ležák. It is known for its golden colour, pronounced hop bitterness, malty body, and use of traditional Czech brewing associations, and is distributed in draught, bottle, and can formats as the principal international expression of the brewery's heritage.
Beer
Gambrinus
A Czech beer line associated with the Plzeň brewing group after the integration of the local brewery historically known as Gambrinus. The portfolio has included pale draught, pale lager, unpasteurized, and unfiltered variants. Gambrinus has traditionally been marketed as an accessible, broadly distributed beer for everyday consumption and the hospitality channel, complementing the more premium and heritage-led positioning of Pilsner Urquell. A major Czech lager brand in the company’s mainstream portfolio. Gambrinus has traditionally been marketed as an accessible, broadly distributed beer for everyday consumption and the hospitality channel, complementing the more premium and heritage-led positioning of Pilsner Urquell.
Lager and dark beer · 1874
Velkopopovický Kozel
A Czech beer brand included in the Plzeňský Prazdroj portfolio following the company’s integration with Velké Popovice. The brand represents a separate brewing identity within the wider brewery group. A Czech brand originating from Velké Popovice. Its portfolio includes pale lager and dark beer expressions, with the goat emblem and regional brewery heritage forming central parts of its identity. The brand has also developed a substantial international presence. A Czech beer brand included in the Plzeňský Prazdroj portfolio following the company's integration with Velké Popovice. The brand represents a separate brewing identity within the wider brewery group. Its portfolio includes pale lager and dark beer expressions, with the goat emblem and regional brewery heritage forming central parts of its identity. The brand has also developed a substantial international presence.
Beer · 1970
Radegast
A Czech beer brand brought into the company through the integration of Pivovar Radegast. It forms part of the broader portfolio alongside Pilsner Urquell and other Czech beer labels. A Moravian beer brand associated with a more pronounced bitter taste and the Radegast brewery in Nošovice, it provides the portfolio with strong regional roots and a differentiated flavour profile within the Czech lager market. A Moravian beer brand associated with a more pronounced bitter taste and the Radegast brewery in Nošovice. It provides the portfolio with strong regional roots and a differentiated flavour profile within the Czech lager market.
Non-alcoholic beer · 1975
Birell
A non-alcoholic beer brand listed among the brewery group’s portfolio products. A non-alcoholic beer brand listed among the brewery group's portfolio products. A leading Czech alcohol-free beer brand offering non-alcoholic alternatives in several formats and flavour variants, Birell broadens the company's reach to consumers seeking moderation, driving occasions, or an alcohol-free substitute for conventional beer.
Flavored cider
Frisco
A flavored cider brand associated with the Plzeňský Prazdroj beverage portfolio.
Cider
Kingswood Cider
A cider brand included in the brewery group's wider beverage portfolio.
Specialty beer
Master
A specialty-beer line listed among the group's Czech brewing offerings.
Marketing campaigns
- 2025Expo 2025 Osaka heritage presentation
Japan · International
Pilsner Urquell was selected to participate in Expo 2025 in Osaka, using the event to present its brewing history and Czech brewing tradition.
Outcome. International heritage and brand-presentation initiative.
- Pilsner Fest
Czech Republic · Plzeň
An annual two-day beer festival organized by the brewery in Plzeň, combining Pilsner Urquell beer culture with performances by local bands across several stages. Established as a recurring public celebration of the brewery's local heritage.
Outcome. Established as a recurring public celebration of the brewery’s local heritage.
Brand decisions
2017
Transfer to AsahiM&ABackground
The sale was part of regulatory remedies connected with Anheuser-Busch InBev's acquisition of SABMiller.
Action taken
Ownership of Plzeňský Prazdroj and the Pilsner Urquell brewery transferred to Asahi.
Aftermath
The brewery became part of Asahi's international beer business while retaining its Czech brewing identity.
2016
Sale to Asahi agreedM&ABackground
The proposed Anheuser-Busch InBev acquisition of SABMiller required the divestment of selected Central and Eastern European beer assets to address competition concerns.
Action taken
Asahi Group Holdings agreed to acquire Plzeňský Prazdroj and related businesses, with completion taking place in 2017.
Aftermath
Plzeňský Prazdroj entered Asahi's European brewing network while retaining its Czech brands, production base, and local identity.
1999
Integration into South African BreweriesM&ABackground
The privatized Czech brewery entered a period of international consolidation and portfolio expansion.
Action taken
Plzeňský Prazdroj became part of South African Breweries and began integrating with Radegast and Velké Popovice.
Aftermath
The merger process ultimately created a larger Czech brewing group with multiple national brands.
1898
Adoption of Urquell and Prazdroj trademarksStrategyBackground
As competing beers increasingly imitated the Plzeň pale lager, the brewery sought to distinguish its product as the original source.
Action taken
It introduced the German Urquell and Czech Prazdroj marks.
Aftermath
The naming established the authenticity claim that remains central to the brand.
Sources9 sources
- 1Pilsner Urquell Breweryen.wikipedia.org
- 2Pilsner Urquell official websitepilsnerurquell.com
- 3Plzeňský Prazdroj: About usprazdroj.cz
- 4Pilsner Urquell: Our storypilsnerurquell.com
- 5Asahi Group announces acquisition of SABMiller’s Central and Eastern European businessasahigroup-holdings.com
- 6Plzeňský Prazdrojen.wikipedia.org
- 7Plzeňský Prazdrojen.wikipedia.org
- 8https://www.prazdroj.czprazdroj.cz
- 9Integrated into SABMilleren.wikipedia.org
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