The brewery was founded in 1839 by both local Czech-speaking and German-speaking citizens in Bohemian city ofPlzeň as Bürgerbrauerei. The first beer was brewed here in 1842 by Bavarian brewer Josef Groll. In 1859, “Pilsner Bier” was registered as a brand name at the localChamber of Commerce and Trade. In 1869, a competitor was founded as a joint stock company, later known as Gambrinus. In 1898 the German trademark Urquell and Czech trademark Prazdroj were created, to underline the claim of being the older, original source of Pilsner beer. In 1932 Měšťanský pivovar merged with Plzeňské aciové pivovary. In 1946, the brewery was nationalized under the name Plzeňské pivovary. After the fall of communism in late 1989, the brewery was turned into a public share company, then renamed in 1994 after the Czech name of their famous beer, Plzeňský Prazdroj. In 1999, they started to merge with Pivovar Radegast a.s. and Pivovar Velké Popovice a. s.. The brewery has been the largest exporter of beer produced in the Czech Republic since 2000 when production surpassed that of Budějovický Budvar.
Timeline
1295 City of Pilsen established, beginnings of brewing.
1307 First recorded mention of the existence of an actual brewery with malt house.
1839 Burghers in Pilsen decide to found the Burgess' Brewery
15 September 1839 – autumn 1840 Construction of the Burgess' Brewery, forerunner of today's brewery.
1910 Světovar - Český Plzeňský pivovar akciové společnosti v Plzni.
1913 Output over 100 million litres of beer, commercial representation in 34 countries.
1925 - 1933 Merger of several Pilsen breweries.
1933 Two breweries remain in Pilsen: Měšťanský pivovar and Plzeňské akciové pivovary, with the majority of PAP shares being owned by Měšťanský pivovar.
1 June 1945 National administration for companies owned by Měšťanský pivovar in Pilsen. National administration took over management of the Měšťanský pivovar and PAP.
13 September 1946 Nationalization of both breweries and creation of a single national company, Plzeňské pivovary.
1 Jun 1964 Formation of the company Západočeské pivovary with registered office in Pilsen. Creation of the national company Plzeňský Prazdroj with regard to ownership of trademarks and contact with customers abroad.
November 1989 Fundamental changes initiated for the company's entire organisation.
1 May 1992 Following privatization the joint stock companyPlzeňské pivovary, a.s. is established. Major investment, technological development, rise in output and exports, development of business and distribution network, marketing.
1994 Formation of joint stock company Plzeňský Prazdroj.
1999 Merger approved with the companies Pivovar RADEGAST a. s., and Pivovar Velké Popovice a. s.
1999 Plzeňský Prazdroj, a. s. becomes part of South African Breweries, subsequently called SABMiller.
30 September 2002 merger completed with the companies Pivovar RADEGAST a. s., and Pivovar Velké Popovice a. s. This resulted in the formation of a single joint stock company called Plzeňský Prazdroj, a. s.
Pilsner Urquell, pale lager and flagship of the brand, has created new category of beer, contains 4.4% ABV. Anyway levels below 4.4% ABV are considered 10° or "výčepní". So it is the lightest lager from all czech breweries ever.
Gambrinus Original, a pale draught beer with 4.3% ABV.
Gambrinus Plná, a pale lager with 5.2% ABV.
Gambrinus Unpasteurized 10°, an unpasteurized draught beer with 4.3% ABV.
Gambrinus Unpasteurized 12°, an unpasteurized pale lager with 5.0% ABV.
Gambrinus Unfiltered, an unfiltered yeast pale lager with 4.95% ABV.
A brewery museum has been set up near the brewery in the authentic medieval brewing house with malt house, which has been declared a cultural monument. It includes the late Gothic malt house, kiln, original drying shed and two-level laying-down cellars with ice-cellar, which are hewn from the Pilsen substrata. The exhibition covers Pilsen's most ancient history, the development of crafts, the emergence and growth of the guilds, the beginnings and development of brewing, malting, the craft of cooper, haulage and catering. The tour includes a replica of a pub from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries and a laboratory from the second half of the 19th century. The city walls have been opened with an example of the cultivation of barley and hops. The museum has become an anchor for the European Route of Industrial Heritage.
