Mark at the Beercraft Blog is starting a campaign to correct misconceptions about the Czech Republic and its signature beer style: Pilsener.
Campaign for the misunderstood
Jeez, if I were a Czech brewmaster, it would be a real personal victory just to drag myself to work every day. Here they are, brewing some of the finest beer in the on this Earth, and a good portion of the drinking world turns up their nose at it, because it’s low-alcohol lager, and therefore must be fizzy piss. It’s something to drink on vacation, to yak back into the Danube from the parapets of the Wenceslas Bridge.
I must say, I have not once encountered what Mark writes about! Here in Britain, the Czech Rep. is justifiably seen as source of some of the best beer in the world, no questions asked. Yes, some beer geeks complain it’s a bit samey, and I suppose they’re right, but that misses the point somewhat.
Maybe this is just an American thing, peddled by “extreme” beer lovers, and therefore saying a “good portion of beer drinking world” holds a negative view of Czech beer is an exaggeration?
Maybe, although this American doesn’t necessarily hold that view.
My tastes and attitudes toward beer are evolving. I’m learning to appreciate “big” beers, but that’s also giving me a finer appreciation for beers that don’t “peg the needle”. Subtlety is refreshing.
Of course, the last time I had a Pilsner Urquell I wasn’t impressed. That doesn’t mean much, though, as this was several years ago, well before my beer enlightenment. The problem with imports is just that: their imported. Who knows what terrible conditions they endured on that slow boat over the big water? (Never mind the suspicion that European brewers don’t send us their best stuff because they don’t think American palates can take it.) So, on the one hand I’m charged up to go try a bunch of Czech beers, but on the other, if they’re not so great, is it because they’re not so great or they’re too far from home?
So, anyway, this American doesn’t hold a negative view of Czech beer.
It’s not that European brewers don’t send you the best stuff, it’s that you have you usually have to drink beer close to where it’s brewed to appreciate it at it’s best. That’s why the bizarre obsession with “ticking off” bottled beers puzzles me so much. If I want to experience Czech beer properly, I go to Bohemia. I don’t kid myself that a pasteurised, exported bottle will be a fair representation of the brewer’s art.
I agree wholeheartedly. Unfortunately, a trip to Europe is not in my immediate future.
Fortunately, the Pils from Troegs and Clipper City (both within 100 miles) are readily available. I don’t know how they compare to a “traditional” pils, but they are darn good.