The Pilsner Urquell Brewery in Plzeň has made beer since 1842, and it is one of the oldest breweries still operating. The guided tour follows the historic brewhouse and the modern production line, then ends in the underground cellars, where you can taste unfiltered Pilsner drawn directly from the tank. The brewery also has a museum in its original 15th-century brewhouse, a visitor center, and a restaurant in the former fermentation cellars. It suits anyone curious about how lager is made.
Brewing since 1842
The brewery was founded in 1839 and opened in 1842. Its brewmaster, Josef Groll, created the first golden pilsner lager that year. The bottom-fermentation method used here became the basis for most of the beer drunk around the world today.
The brewery now exports to more than 50 countries. Its production site is recognized as an industrial monument of European significance, so the tour covers industry and architecture as well as beer.
What the tour covers
The guided tour passes through the historic brewhouse and the modern production line. An interactive exhibition explains both past and present methods. The route also includes the visitor center and a modern digital exhibition.
The modern bottling plant can fill 120,000 bottles per hour. Tours run in Czech and English, and English-speaking tours take place three times a day. Guides explain the brewing process and the brewery's history.
The cellars and the tasting
The tour ends in the historic underground cellars, where you taste unfiltered and unpasteurized Pilsner. The cellar is large and vaulted, and the beer is drawn directly from the tank.
The tasting is the last stop, so keep time at the end of the visit for it.
A museum in the old brewhouse
The museum occupies the original brewery house, which dates from the beginning of the 15th century. Its interactive displays cover brewing and beer culture, and they are a useful stop before or after the tour.
Food and shopping on site
The site has a bistro, a restaurant, and a pub, plus a souvenir shop and a fan shop.
Na Spilce sits in the former fermentation cellars and serves Czech dishes and unfiltered Pilsner. Order the goulash, and expect many tables for groups. Service is friendly and efficient.
Getting there
The brewery is close to the main railway station in Plzeň and about an hour from Prague by train. You can also walk from the Old Town along a marked route.
The brewery has its own parking lot, but capacity is limited. The entrance and the parking lot are wheelchair accessible.
FAQ
How long is the tour?
The tour lasts about 1.5 hours.
Do I need to book ahead?
Yes. Booking in advance is recommended, because tours can fill up quickly.
Is the tour available in English?
Yes. Tours run in Czech and English, and English-speaking tours take place three times a day.
How do I get there from Prague?
The brewery is about an hour from Prague, and it is close to the main railway station in Plzeň.
Is the brewery wheelchair accessible?
The entrance and the parking lot are wheelchair accessible.
