Plzensky Prazdroj brewery

About

Plzeňský Prazdroj, the home of Pilsner Urquell, is one of Europe’s most iconic breweries and the birthplace of the world’s first golden lager, brewed here since 1842. Its vast complex combines industrial heritage with living tradition, and one of the most interesting facts is that the brewery still uses the original triple‑decoction method and open‑fermentation oak vats for part of its production, preserving techniques unchanged for more than 180 years. Inside, visitors follow the full brewing process, from the historic brewhouse with its gleaming copper kettles to the modern production halls where millions of litres of beer are brewed each year. The highlight is the labyrinth of cool lagering cellars carved into the rock beneath the brewery, where wooden barrels are still filled with unfiltered, unpasteurised Pilsner Urquell. Tasting this beer directly from the cask is considered one of the most authentic beer experiences in the world. Exhibits along the route showcase historic tools, cooperage craft, and the evolution of Pilsner’s global influence. Plzeňský Prazdroj remains a living monument to brewing excellence and a must‑see for anyone visiting the city.

Plzeň Czech Republic

Location

Plzeňský Prazdroj, home of Pilsner Urquell, sits in Plzeň, a lively city in western Czech Republic. The brewery complex lies just outside the historic city center on U Prazdroje street and has been brewing since 1842, when it created the world’s first golden lager that gave the pilsner style its name. Today it’s still a working brewery and one of the most visited industrial heritage sites in Europe. Tours lead you through the historic brew houses, the modern packaging hall, and nine kilometers of cool cellars where you can taste unfiltered Pilsner Urquell drawn straight from oak barrels. The famous Jubilee Gateway welcomes visitors, while the on-site Na Spilce restaurant and beer garden offer traditional Czech food with fresh beer. Around the brewery, Plzeň offers plenty to explore within walking distance. The Brewery Museum, housed in a medieval malting house, tells the story of beer from ancient times to the present with a replica 19th-century pub and a working model brewery. Connected to it is the Plzeň Historical Underground, a network of passages beneath the old town. A short stroll brings you to Republic Square, dominated by St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral, whose spire gives sweeping views of the city. Nearby you’ll also find the Great Synagogue, one of the largest in the world, and Techmania Science Center for families. With its mix of brewing tradition and cultural landmarks, Plzeň makes the brewery the perfect starting point for a day in the city.