Beer - origins

Where does the word "pivo" (beer) come from?

PIVO is an old Slav word meaning "the most common and widespread drink".

What does the word "Urquell" mean?

The word Urquell means the original source, and in beer-speak means the original.

What does the word "Pils" mean?

"Pils" is short for Pilsen, or Plzen, the adjective for the city, and in beer-speak is a synonym for strongly hoppy bottom-fermented lager.

Why are so many beers in the world called Pilsen or Pilsner?

These refer to beers of a similar type which are produced using bottom fermentation.

Who is the patron saint of malters and brewers?

Saint Wenceslaus, patron of the Czech lands. He was allegedly made patron of malters and brewers by Charles IV in 1357. The central motif of the malters' coat-of-arms in the royal city of Prague is an armed Saint Wenceslaus.

When was the first Pilsner type beer brewed?

The first beer was brewed in Pilsen on 5 October 1842.