Urban Chestnut honors the art of Czech brewing with its new Pilsner

I’ve always felt that pilsners, and especially craft pilsners, are underappreciated—particularly here in the city that Anheuser-Busch built. Understanding a well-crafted pilsner requires a reverence for subtlety. In a market flooded with hop bombs and barrel-aged monsters, the pilsner stands out, showcasing the brilliance of simplicity and the mastery of restraint. To fully appreciate this style, we must first recognize the original: the Czech pilsner.

What Is a Pilsner?

A classic pilsner is a pale lager that embodies elegance and lightness, yet it offers complexity that belies its simple nature. Crisp, clean malt provides the backbone, while floral or spicy noble hops lend aroma and a balanced bitterness that’s both satisfying and refreshing. Pilsners come in many forms, from dry German styles to modern craft variations. But it’s the Czech pilsner that set the standard, igniting a beer revolution in the 19th century that forever changed how the world drinks.

The Birth of the Czech Pilsner

Our journey begins in the 19th century, in the Bohemian city of Plzeň (or Pilsen), now in the Czech Republic. It was here that a group of visionary brewers sought to craft a beer that would stand apart from the heavy, inconsistent ales of the time. They experimented with pale malt, soft local water, and noble Saaz hops. The result was a golden, crystal-clear lager with a flavor that was crisp, hoppy, and refreshing.

While German pilsners tend to be crisper and more sharply bitter, Czech pilsners maintain a softer profile, with a malt richness that balances the spicy, floral character of the hops. The mouthfeel is often more rounded, and the bitterness lingers just long enough to make each sip deeply satisfying.

Urban Chestnut’s Czech Pils: A Modern Tribute to Tradition

Urban Chestnut Brewing Company is well known for embracing Old World brewing craftsmanship, and their Czech Pils is a true love letter to that tradition. Brewed with authentic Saaz hops and using techniques that mirror those pioneered in Plzeň nearly two centuries ago, this beer embodies the timeless artistry of classic Czech brewing.

“We have a deep appreciation for the original Czech pilsner,” says Urban Chestnut’s head brewer, Brent Tellor. “It’s not about reinventing the wheel; it’s about doing justice to one of the most important styles in brewing history.”

Brewmaster Florian Kuplent elaborates: “We use soft water, imported malt, and a slow fermentation to ensure the beer has the right mouthfeel and flavor complexity. Czech pilsners are all about balance, and achieving that perfect balance is our goal with every batch.”

Urban Chestnut’s dedication to this classic style is evident in every sip. Their Czech Pils is golden and inviting, with herbal, peppery hop notes that harmonize beautifully with a rich, bready malt base. The bitterness is assertive but never overwhelming, leaving a clean finish that beckons for another sip.

Brewing a Classic: The Method Behind the Magic

The brewing process starts with a cool, controlled fermentation, allowing the beer’s flavors to develop cleanly and ensuring that the balance between malt and hops remains pristine. This attention to detail is crucial in achieving the signature crisp, smooth finish that defines the style.

One of the most intriguing aspects of Urban Chestnut’s approach is their embrace of diacetyl—a buttery flavor compound that occurs naturally during fermentation. In many lager styles, especially in the U.S., brewers work hard to eliminate diacetyl completely. However, in Czech pilsners, a subtle hint of diacetyl is not only acceptable but also traditional, contributing to the beer’s rounded mouthfeel and flavor complexity.

“Diacetyl often gets a bad rap,” explains brewmaster Florian Kuplent, “but when it’s controlled properly, it adds a layer of authenticity to the beer. The key is finding the right balance, so it enhances the overall experience without overshadowing the clean, crisp profile we aim for.”

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