Batch of blessed Pilsner Urquell beer heading to Vatican

20.4.2011 Pilsner Urquell

During a  ceremony at the brewery in Plzeň on April 20, the morning of Ash Wednesday, the bishop of Plzeň, František Radkovský, and the senior commercial brewer, Václav Berka, gave a package of blessed beer and a  certificate of its origin to the Czech ambassador to the Holy See, Pavel Vošalík, who will accompany the gift from Plzeň to the Vatican.

„The beatification of John Paul II is without any doubt one of the most important events of this year. I am really honoured that the participants, the highest representatives of the church, together with officials from many countries, will toast to this occasion specifically with beer from Plzeň. This represents another important milestone for Pilsner Urquell beer in its long and successful history,“ said the senior commercial brewer from Plzeňský Prazdroj, Václav Berka.

On Wednesday, April 27th, at 10 a.m., the Czech ambassador, JUDr. Pavel Vošalík, will give the blessed beer to Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, president of the Governorate of Vatican City State, at the Holy See, where the traditional drink will be served from April 30th until May 2nd, during the official events of the Catholic Church that are tied to the beatification of John Paul II.

A smaller part of the package is meant as a gift for the Giovanni Paolo II restaurant in Rome, which will refresh exhausted pilgrims who are there to celebrate Easter, the most important Christian holiday, with blessed beer from Plzeň. „It is even more symbolic that the pilgrims are offered Pilsner Urquell beer in a restaurant named after the Holy Father, John Paul II, at the time of his beatification, together with other beers when Pilsner Urquell is their forefather,“ said Czech ambassador to the Vatican, Pavel Vošalík.

More information:
Vladimír Jurina, Plzeňský Prazdroj, Ph.no. +420 724 617 886

Notes to editors:

  • With total sale of 9.9 million hectolitres in the 2010 calendar year (including sales abroad) and with export to more than 50 countries, Plzeňský Prazdroj, a. s., is the leading producer of beer in the region and the biggest exporter of Czech beer.
  • Plzeňský Prazdroj, a. s., is a member of SABMiller PLC. Pilsner Urquell is an international flagship of SABMiller brands.
  • SABMiller PLC is one of biggest beer companies in the world, with activities and distribution in more than 60 countries on six continents. SABMiller includes important brands such as Miller Genuine Draft, Peroni Nastro Azzurro and many other successful regional brands.

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