Pilsner Urquell Brewery

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an unusually influential position in brewing history: its product is not only a regional specialty but also the historical reference point for beers commonly described as pils, pilsner, or pilsener.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.

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.

1. 2017Became part of Asahi

   Ownership transferred from SABMiller to Asahi following the agreement associated with the SABMiller acquisition remedies.

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2. 2002Merger completed

   The merger with Radegast and Velké Popovice was completed, creating a single Plzeňský Prazdroj joint-stock company.

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3. 1999Integration with Radegast and Velké Popovice

   The company entered a merger process with Pivovar Radegast and Pivovar Velké Popovice and joined South African Breweries.

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4. 1994Plzeňský Prazdroj name adopted

   The company adopted the name associated with its principal Czech beer.

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5. 1992Post-communist joint-stock company established

   Plzeňské pivovary, a joint-stock company, was established during privatization.

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6. 1946Nationalization

   The Plzeň breweries were nationalized and organized as Plzeňské pivovary.

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7. 1913Output exceeded 100 million litres

   The brewery reported output above 100 million litres and commercial representation in 34 countries.

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8. 1898Urquell and Prazdroj trademarks introduced

   The German and Czech marks were created to emphasize the beer’s claim to original Pilsner heritage.

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9. 1859Pilsner Bier name registered

   The name “Pilsner Bier” was registered at the Plzeň Chamber of Commerce and Trade.

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10. 1842First Pilsner-style brew

    Josef Groll produced the brewery’s first pale, bottom-fermented lager on 5 October.

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11. 1839Citizens’ brewery founded

    Local burghers founded the Bürgerbrauerei, predecessor of today’s brewery.

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12. Plzeň was established

    The city’s foundation marks the broader historical setting for Plzeň’s brewing tradition.

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13. Early brewery record

    A surviving record refers to a brewery and malt house in Plzeň.

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An authentic Czech brewing institution centered on the original Pilsner style, traditional production methods, export heritage, and the cultural identity of Plzeň.

• Pilsner UrquellPale lager1842

  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.

• GambrinusBeer

  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.

• Velkopopovický KozelBeer

  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.

• RadegastBeer

  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.

• BirellNon-alcoholic beer

  A non-alcoholic beer brand listed among the brewery group’s portfolio products.

• FriscoFlavored cider

  A flavored cider brand associated with the Plzeňský Prazdroj beverage portfolio.

• Kingswood CiderCider

  A cider brand included in the brewery group’s wider beverage portfolio.

• MasterSpecialty beer

  A specialty-beer line listed among the group’s Czech brewing offerings.

• 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.

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• 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.

  Outcome. Established as a recurring public celebration of the brewery’s local heritage.

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• 2017Transfer to AsahiM&A

  The sale was part of regulatory remedies connected with Anheuser-Busch InBev’s acquisition of SABMiller.

  What changed. 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.

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• 1999Integration into South African BreweriesM&A

  The privatized Czech brewery entered a period of international consolidation and portfolio expansion.

  What changed. 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.

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• 1898Adoption of Urquell and Prazdroj trademarksStrategy

  As competing beers increasingly imitated the Plzeň pale lager, the brewery sought to distinguish its product as the original source.

  What changed. It introduced the German Urquell and Czech Prazdroj marks.

  Aftermath. The naming established the authenticity claim that remains central to the brand.

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• 2025Pilsner Urquell selected for Expo 2025 in Osaka

  The brewery was selected to participate in Expo 2025 in Osaka, presenting its brewing heritage and the claimed authenticity of Czech brewing tradition.

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• 2017Asahi acquired Plzeňský Prazdroj from SABMiller

  The Plzeňský Prazdroj business, including the Pilsner Urquell brewery, became part of Japan-based Asahi after the sale was agreed in connection with the regulatory process surrounding Anheuser-Busch InBev’s acquisition of SABMiller.

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• 2002Pilsner Urquell was named beer of the year at the Helsinki Beer Festival

  Pilsner Urquell received the Beer of the Year distinction at the Helsinki Beer Festival.

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1. Pilsner Urquell Brewery
2. Pilsner Urquell official website