Pilsner Urquell and Budweiser Budvar

Pilsner Urquell

There are few things in life that I like better than a perfectly chilled Pilsner on a hot summer's day. Maybe a perfectly chilled Pilsner on a frosty day at the end of winter to remind me that summer is around the corner. Not the point. You don't have to look far if you're in search of one, just go to the Czech Republic, they'll sort you out, no problems. Urquell is readily available in supermarkets across the country and, therefore, you have no freakin' excuse not to try it.

This beer pours like fizzy honey and has a woody quality on the nose, it tastes crisp and fresh, it does everything a Czech Pilsner should do: 1) Quench the thirst like a badass, 2) Have subtle flavours that distinguish the beer from other beer, 3) Be extremely satisfying to drink, especially when it's hot. It's not hot but Urquell is still extremely satisfying to drink, it is just a good beer for sessioning, you don't need to think about what's going on, you just need to know that the quality is there. You can enjoy all the other things going on in the pub.

Whether chugging with friends from university or enjoying over a family meal, you can't go far wrong with the 4.4% Pilsner Urquell. A lovely pint.

Food Suggestion: This can be enjoyed with a range of things from simple pub snacks like pork scratchings and crisps to heart meals like stew and meatloaf.

Drink this if you like: Tzara by Thornbridge or any light, crisp, blonde beer really.


Budweiser Budvar

Originally exported to the US in 1871, Budweiser has a long and storied history... But I don't care about that, I just care about the beer and the burning question when trying this is "is it better than the mass produced American Budweiser?" Well, there's a long answer and a short answer. The long answer is that they are, essentially, the same beer but time has brought alterations that are unique to the specific environments and the respective market activities. The short answer is YES, it is a lot better.

Budweiser Budvar is deliciously smooth and fresh with an underlying sweetness and a darker complexion than its American cousin. The American Bud FEELS mass produced whereas you could imagine drinking Budvar in a small taverna in the country and you wouldn't be surprised to hear that it was made by a local brewery.

The Czechs are real contenders in world beer so if the American Bud is the "king of beers" then this must be the God of beers... Neither statements are, in fact, true. The American Bud is the inbred cousin of a vastly superior specimen, the inbred cousin who managed to get famous on a reality TV show. Budvar is superior yet Budweiser US is the one served on taps and in bottles in every pub and bar around the world. Where is the justice?

Food Suggestion: It's a delicious Pilsner that's crisp and deeply satisfying, have it with a burger. A gourmet freakin' burger that slathers relish down your greasy face. Napkins are for the weak!

Drink this if you like: Ayinger, Vedett or... Pilsner Urquell. NOT BUDWEISER U.S. though, drink this if you DON'T like that.