This week on Beer Sessions Radio™, host Jimmy Carbone is joined by beer royalty as Václav Berka, head brewer of Pilsner Urquell returns to the studio. He’s joined by Bitter & Esters‘ John LaPolla, who is doing tastings and demos around the city featuring Pilsner Urquell. Over its 173-year history, Pilsner Urquell has only had six head brewers, and Václav discusses the challenges of creating pilsners and maintaining the beer’s flavor over changes (wars, occupations, etc.). He brings an unfiltered unpasteurized version of the beer to share with the panel.
Also from Europe is Paul Walsh, who is part of an English-speaking team that is producing Belgian Beer & Food Magazinew that has its US launch this week. He discusses how the craft beer label in Europe is harder to define than in America. He weighs in on Belgian pils beers, including a great pilsner made by Saison Dupont. He also recommends finding unfiltered pilsners if you come to Belgium (and you may be able to get some this week at Good Beer Seal bar Tørst).
Rounding out the panel: Pilsner Urquell’s Trade Quality Managers James Zinkland and Bryan Panzica, who also was Pilsner Urquell’s 2012 Master Bartender of the Year (awarded for complicated pouring and presentation skills).
John talks about an upcoming pilsner homebrew competition and the homebrew community; they’re having a special meet and greet with Václav at Bitter & Esters Friday (5/29) at 6 p.m. Come out and listen in (full episode here) and learn everything you always wanted to know about these great lager beers.