Have you ever wondered what makes Pilsner Urquell's tank beer so special, whether in London or in China? Let's dive into the world of this iconic Czech lager and compare how it's enjoyed in these two distinct markets. From its fresh, unpasteurised taste to the unique serving methods, we'll explore what sets the top Pilsner Urquell tank beer venues apart. Whether you're a beer enthusiast or just curious, this journey will take you through the best
The Duck & Rice
Product Details: Pilsner Urquell is the world’s first pale lager, first created in 1842 and brewed in Pilsen, Czech Republic. It is served at The Duck & Rice pub in Soho, London, where it is delivered direct from the brewery and pumped into specially crafted copper tanks. The beer is unpasteurised and without added gas, maintaining its original and unique taste. The pub offers a Pilsner Urquell Masterclass where guests learn traditional Czech pouring styles and enjoy the beer with Chinese cuisine.
Pros:
- Unique and original taste maintained for over 175 years
- Versatile pairing with a wide range of foods, including Chinese dishes
- Served fresh from the tank, ensuring optimal flavor and quality
- Expertly poured by trained Tapsters who emphasize the importance of foam and fla...
- Complements both light and robust dishes, such as dim sum and duck with plum sau...
Cons:
- English drinkers may find the emphasis on foam unfamiliar or undesirable
- The pub’s small size can present challenges in adapting the bar to proper pourin...
Alan Yau Duck & Rice pub installs Pilsner Urquell tank beer
Product Details: The Duck & Rice, a Chinese gastropub owned by Alan Yau, has installed Pilsner Urquell Tankovna beer. The beer is delivered directly from the brewery in Plzen, Czech Republic, and pumped into specially crafted 500 litre copper tanks on the ground floor. Each tank is refilled with fresh beer every week. This setup allows customers to enjoy brewery-fresh, unpasteurised Pilsner Urquell without added gas.
Pros:
- The tank beer is delivered fresh from the brewery, ensuring high quality and fla...
- Pilsner Urquell is described as the archetypal pilsner, with sufficient characte...
- The beer pairs well with the new-fashioned Chinese food served at the venue.
Cons:
- Only three of the five cask pumps were in use at the time of the article, limiti...
Pilsner Urquell Tank Beer at Duck and Rice, Soho
Product Details: Duck and Rice, Soho's Chinese gastropub, features four 500 litre tanks of Pilsner Urquell installed at the entrance. The tanks are refilled weekly with beer freighted in airtight bags from Pilsen. Pilsner Urquell is known for its unique, clean, crisp, and refreshing taste, making it versatile for pairing with a wide range of foods, including 'new fashioned' Chinese dishes.
Pros:
- Pilsner Urquell has a unique and refreshing taste, making it versatile for pairi...
- The beer pairs well with both rich and spicy dishes, such as fried scampi with c...
- The tank-fresh Pilsner Urquell is served in frozen branded glassware, enhancing...
Cons:
- No specific cons mentioned in the article regarding the product itself.
Is it a pub, a bar, a Chinese restaurant...?
Product Details: K Pub Kitchen & Bar is a newly renovated Asian-American Sports Pub with a 180-seat restaurant and bar, a new game room with pool tables, a revamped menu, creative cocktail list, and a huge selection of beer and seltzer. It features over 15 giant HD TVs for sports fans.
Pros:
- Creative Asian fusion with American pub food menu
- Friendly service and solid drink selection
- Great local sports bar with multiple entertainment options
- High-quality food and fresh ingredients
Cons:
- No specific cons mentioned in the reviews
Pilsner Urquell Tank Beer | Community
Product Details: Pilsner Urquell Tank Beer is an unpasteurised version of the original pilsner, delivered directly from the brewery in Plzen, Czech Republic, to specially crafted copper or steel tanks at select pubs. The beer is packaged in vacuum-sealed bags or polyester-film sacks within these tanks, ensuring no contact with air until it is poured. The tanks are temperature-controlled, and the beer must be consumed within a week of opening. Each tank contains around 880 pints and is refilled weekly.
Pros:
- Delivers the freshest possible beer, as if it were being consumed in the brewery...
- Maintains perfect temperature and condition until poured, ensuring optimal taste...
- Has a bolder, better aroma and a fuller body compared to pasteurised versions
- Served with a thick head of dense, wet foam, enhancing the drinking experience
- Strict quality control and regular line cleaning ensure consistent flavor and fr...
Cons:
- Limited availability, as it is only served in a few select pubs
- Short shelf life of around one week, requiring frequent refills
- Requires specific handling and storage conditions to maintain quality
The Duck and Rice Pilsner Urquell Masterclass
Product Details: The Duck and Rice Pilsner Urquell Masterclass is an event held every first Saturday of the month. It is a two-hour masterclass where participants learn the secrets behind Pilsner Urquell, the world’s first pale lager, brewed in Pilsen, Czech Republic since 1842. The masterclass is taught by specialist Tapsters who instruct on three different Czech pouring styles, and participants get to pour and taste their own pint of Pilsner Urquell. The event includes Duck and Rice dishes served throughout the evening and is priced at £45. Attendees must be 18 or over.
Pros:
- Unique learning experience on traditional Czech beer pouring techniques
- Opportunity to taste and pour Pilsner Urquell, a historically significant beer
- Includes sharing dishes from The Duck and Rice menu
- Expert instruction by specialist Tapsters
Cons:
- Limited to the first Saturday of each month
- Age restriction: attendees must be 18 or over
- Fixed price of £45, which may not be suitable for all budgets
Pilsner Urquell's tank beer concept hits the north
Product Details: Pilsner Urquell's tank beer concept involves delivering unpasteurised Czech lager directly from the brewery in temperature-controlled trucks to tanks installed at select venues. The beer is stored in these tanks, ensuring it remains fresh and at the right temperature until it is poured. This system has been implemented in various locations, including London, Cambridge, Leeds, and Manchester. Each tank contains the fresh, unpasteurised beer, which must be consumed within a week of opening[2].
Pros:
- Delivers a fresh, unpasteurised version of Pilsner Urquell, maintaining the orig...
- The visible tanks create a unique talking point and enhance the customer experie...
- Ensures the beer is kept at the right temperature and in perfect condition until...
Cons:
- The unpasteurised beer has a limited shelf-life of around a week, requiring freq...
- The system requires strict maintenance, including regular line cleaning and prop...
Tankovna | Chris Hall | Beer
Product Details: Pilsner Urquell Tankovna beer is an unpasteurised, golden lager delivered directly from the brewery in Plzen, Czech Republic. It is stored in vacuum-sealed bags inside temperature-controlled tanks to prevent oxidation. The beer must be consumed within a week of opening the tank and is typically refilled every week.
Pros:
- Retains original flavour and aroma due to lack of pasteurisation and oxidation[1...
- Kept at the right temperature and in perfect condition until poured into the gla...
- Offers the freshest possible beer experience with a fuller, rounder malt body[2]
- No contact with air until the moment it is poured, ensuring optimal taste[1]
Cons:
- Must be consumed within a week of opening the tank, which can be logistically ch...
- Requires strict control over delivery and storage conditions to maintain quality...
- Limited availability as it needs to be served from specific tanks and equipment[...
Exports
Product Details: Plzeňský Prazdroj exports various beer brands, including Pilsner Urquell and Kozel, in different packaging types such as bottles, cans, kegs, and mobile tanks. The company has been exporting beer for over 160 years, starting with a small batch of 65 buckets (about 4 hectolitres) in 1856. Exports are managed through partners, including Asahi sales units, breweries, or exclusive partners. The company also offers tank beer and merchandise items, which are distributed via foreign partners.
Pros:
- Long history of export experience, over 160 years
- Diverse packaging options (bottles, cans, kegs, mobile tanks)
- Global distribution network through various partners
- Availability of tank beer and merchandise items
Cons:
- Business cooperation and exports must be arranged through designated partners, n...
- No export licence for Birell products, limiting product range in foreign markets
Best tank beer bars in London
Product Details: The guide highlights several tank beer bars in London where patrons can enjoy beer straight from the tank. Key locations include Howling Hops Tank Bar, known for its extensive selection of beers brewed on-site and served directly from the tanks. Other notable mentions include Zero Degrees, which offers a 'tank to mouth' experience with beers brewed in an open-plan microbrewery, and Crate Brewery, where beers are brewed on site and paired with hand-rolled pizzas.
Pros:
- Fresh beer served directly from the tanks ensures optimal taste and quality.
- Many of these locations offer a unique brewing experience, allowing customers to...
- Variety of beer styles and flavors available, often including seasonal and exper...
- Often paired with complementary food options, such as pizzas, pasta, and other d...
Cons:
- Limited seating and space in some of the tank bars, which can be cramped.
- Some locations may have a more industrial or less polished atmosphere, which mig...
- Beer selection might be limited to the brewery's own productions, which could be...
Comparison Table
Company | Product Details | Pros | Cons | Website |
---|---|---|---|---|
The Duck & Rice | Pilsner Urquell is the world’s first pale lager, first created in 1842 and brewed in Pilsen, Czech Republic. It is served at The Duck & Rice pub in So... | - Unique and original taste maintained for over 175 years - Versatile pairing with a wide range of foods, including Chinese dishes - Served fresh from... | - English drinkers may find the emphasis on foam unfamiliar or undesirable - The pub’s small size can present challenges in adapting the bar to proper... | www.pilsnerurquell.com |
Alan Yau Duck & Rice pub installs Pilsner Urquell tank beer | The Duck & Rice, a Chinese gastropub owned by Alan Yau, has installed Pilsner Urquell Tankovna beer. The beer is delivered directly from the brewery i... | - The tank beer is delivered fresh from the brewery, ensuring high quality and fla... - Pilsner Urquell is described as the archetypal pilsner, with s... | - Only three of the five cask pumps were in use at the time of the article, limiti... | www.morningadvertiser.co.uk |
Pilsner Urquell Tank Beer at Duck and Rice, Soho | Duck and Rice, Soho's Chinese gastropub, features four 500 litre tanks of Pilsner Urquell installed at the entrance. The tanks are refilled weekly wit... | - Pilsner Urquell has a unique and refreshing taste, making it versatile for pairi... - The beer pairs well with both rich and spicy dishes, such as f... | - No specific cons mentioned in the article regarding the product itself. | craftybeeress.com |
Is it a pub, a bar, a Chinese restaurant...? | K Pub Kitchen & Bar is a newly renovated Asian-American Sports Pub with a 180-seat restaurant and bar, a new game room with pool tables, a revamped me... | - Creative Asian fusion with American pub food menu - Friendly service and solid drink selection - Great local sports bar with multiple entertainment... | - No specific cons mentioned in the reviews | beerinsider.com |
Pilsner Urquell Tank Beer | Community | Pilsner Urquell Tank Beer is an unpasteurised version of the original pilsner, delivered directly from the brewery in Plzen, Czech Republic, to specia... | - Delivers the freshest possible beer, as if it were being consumed in the brewery... - Maintains perfect temperature and condition until poured, ensu... | - Limited availability, as it is only served in a few select pubs - Short shelf life of around one week, requiring frequent refills - Requires specifi... |
The Duck and Rice Pilsner Urquell Masterclass | The Duck and Rice Pilsner Urquell Masterclass is an event held every first Saturday of the month. It is a two-hour masterclass where participants lear... | - Unique learning experience on traditional Czech beer pouring techniques - Opportunity to taste and pour Pilsner Urquell, a historically significant... | - Limited to the first Saturday of each month - Age restriction: attendees must be 18 or over - Fixed price of £45, which may not be suitable for all... | theduckandrice.com |
Pilsner Urquell's tank beer concept hits the north | Pilsner Urquell's tank beer concept involves delivering unpasteurised Czech lager directly from the brewery in temperature-controlled trucks to tanks... | - Delivers a fresh, unpasteurised version of Pilsner Urquell, maintaining the orig... - The visible tanks create a unique talking point and enhance th... | - The unpasteurised beer has a limited shelf-life of around a week, requiring freq... - The system requires strict maintenance, including regular line... | harpers.co.uk |
Tankovna | Chris Hall | Beer | Pilsner Urquell Tankovna beer is an unpasteurised, golden lager delivered directly from the brewery in Plzen, Czech Republic. It is stored in vacuum-s... | - Retains original flavour and aroma due to lack of pasteurisation and oxidation[1... - Kept at the right temperature and in perfect condition until p... |
Exports | Plzeňský Prazdroj exports various beer brands, including Pilsner Urquell and Kozel, in different packaging types such as bottles, cans, kegs, and mobi... | - Long history of export experience, over 160 years - Diverse packaging options (bottles, cans, kegs, mobile tanks) - Global distribution network thro... | - Business cooperation and exports must be arranged through designated partners, n... - No export licence for Birell products, limiting product range... | www.prazdroj.cz |
Best tank beer bars in London | The guide highlights several tank beer bars in London where patrons can enjoy beer straight from the tank. Key locations include Howling Hops Tank Bar... | - Fresh beer served directly from the tanks ensures optimal taste and quality. - Many of these locations offer a unique brewing experience, allowing c... | - Limited seating and space in some of the tank bars, which can be cramped. - Some locations may have a more industrial or less polished atmosphere, w... | foodism.co.uk |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
FAQs About Pilsner Urquell Tank Beer
What is Pilsner Urquell Tank Beer?
Pilsner Urquell Tank Beer is a unique concept where fresh, unpasteurised Pilsner Urquell beer is delivered directly from the Czech brewery to specially crafted tanks in pubs and bars. This ensures the beer is kept at the right temperature and in perfect condition until it's poured into your glass.
How is the beer delivered and stored?
The beer is delivered in temperature-controlled trucks from the Czech brewery to the tanks installed at the venues. Each tank, typically 500 litres, is refilled weekly to maintain the freshest taste and quality.
Why is Pilsner Urquell Tank Beer special?
Pilsner Urquell Tank Beer is special because it offers you the freshest possible version of the world's first golden beer. The tanks ensure the beer is always in perfect condition, preserving its full, rounder malt body and clean finish.
Where can I find Pilsner Urquell Tank Beer in London?
You can find Pilsner Urquell Tank Beer in several venues across London, including The Duck & Rice in Soho, The White Horse in Parsons Green, and various Draft House locations. These places are known for their dedication to serving the beer in its best condition.
Is Pilsner Urquell Tank Beer available in China as well?
Yes, Pilsner Urquell has successfully entered the Chinese market. Asahi, the company that acquired Pilsner Urquell, has contracted numerous tap beer outlets and retail shops to serve the beer. They also offer training to ensure the beer is served according to Czech traditions and standards.