Editing Pilsner (section)

==History==
[[File:Feldschloesschen Brauerei.jpg|thumb|Historical examples of German pilsner beer labels from [[East Germany]]]]
[[File:Belgique - Louvain-la-Neuve - Gare - Quai - Belgian beers - 03.jpg|thumb|upright|Can of Belgian Pils represented on a mural of the railway station of [[Louvain-la-Neuve]] ([[Belgium]])]]

===Origin===
The city of Plzeň was granted brewing rights in 1307.<ref>{{cite web |title=Traces of the Pilsen History|url=https://www.pilsen.eu/citizen/about-the-city/history/traces-of-the-pilsen-history/traces-of-the-pilsen-history.aspx|publisher=City of Plzeň|language=cs|access-date=2021-08-29}}</ref> Until the mid-1840s, most Bohemian beers were top-[[brewing#Fermenting|fermented]]. The Pilsner Urquell Brewery, originally called in {{langx|de|Bürger-Brauerei Pilsen}} ({{langx|cs|Měšťanský pivovar Plzeň}}, {{langx|en|Plzeň Citizens' Brewery}}), is where Pilsen beer was first brewed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prazdroj.cz/en/about-the-company/history |title=Plzeňský Prazdroj, a. s. |publisher=prazdroj.cz |access-date=17 October 2009 }}</ref>

Brewers had begun aging beer made with [[cool fermenting]] [[yeast]]s in caves ([[lager]], i.e., {{langx|de|gelagert}} [stored]), which improved the beer's clarity and [[shelf-life]]. Part of this research benefited from the knowledge already expounded on in a book (printed in German in 1794, in Czech in 1799) written by Czech brewer {{lang|cs|František Ondřej Poupě|italic=no}} ({{langx|de|Franz Andreas Paupie|links=no}}) (1753–1805) from [[Brno]].<ref>Basařová G.: Der legendäre böhmische Brauer František Ondřej Poupě (Franz Andreas Paupie) 1753–1805. Jahrbuch 2003 Gesellschaft für die Geschichte und Bibliographie des Brauwesens e.V. (GGB), (2003) 1, 128–146.</ref>

The Plzeň brewery recruited the Bavarian brewer [[Josef Groll]] (1813–1887) who, using the local ingredients, produced the first batch of pale lager on 5 October 1842. The combination of Plzeň's remarkably soft water, local [[Saaz hops|Saaz]] [[noble hops]] from nearby [[Žatec]], low-protein Moravian barley malt prepared by indirectly heated kilning, and [[Bavaria]]n-style lagering produced a clear, golden beer.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

By 1853, the beer was available at 35 pubs in [[Prague]]. In 1856, it came to [[Vienna]] and in 1862 to Paris. In 1859, {{lang|de|Pilsner Bier}} was registered as a brand name at the Chamber of Commerce and Trade in Plzeň. In 1898, the Pilsner Urquell trademark was created to put emphasis on being the original brewery (''Urquell,'' meaning 'original source').{{cn|date=October 2024}}

Some beers are labeled ''Urtyp Pilsener'' (UP) meaning they are brewed according to the original process, although many breweries use this accolade for their top beer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/zipfer-urtyp/9236/|title=RateBeer|website=ratebeer.com|access-date=16 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = https://beerandbrewing.com/dictionary/jJqEnkSesv/austria/| title = Urtyp on the ''Craft Beer and Brewing'' website}}</ref>

===Modern developments===
The introduction of modern refrigeration to Germany by [[Carl von Linde]] in the late 19th century eliminated the need for caves for beer storage, enabling the brewing and storing of cool fermenting beer in many new locations.<ref>"Altbier im Alltag" by Genno Fonk, 1999, page 11</ref>

Until 1993 the [[Pilsner Urquell]] brewery fermented its beer using open [[barrel]]s in the [[wine cellar|cellar]]s beneath their brewery. This changed in 1993 with the use of large cylindrical tanks. Small samples are still brewed in a traditional way for taste comparisons.{{cn|date=October 2024}}

A modern pale lager termed a ''pilsner'' may have a very light, clear colour from pale to golden yellow, with varying levels of hop aroma and flavour. The alcohol strength of beers termed pilsner vary but are typically around 4.5%–5% (by volume). There are categories such as "European-Style Pilsner" at beer competitions such as the [[World Beer Cup]]. Pilsner style lagers are marketed internationally by numerous small brewers and larger conglomerates.{{cn|date=October 2024}}