Pilsner Urquell Vs Staropramen Vs Budweiser Budvar | The Battle Of The Czech Lagers

[@JimmiG84]

For me Pilsner Urquell is by far the best of the three. It's incredible how much flavor it has at just 4.4% abv. The Czech consume the most beer per capita in the world which I think is why it has a lower abv. It's a beer you drink for lunch, with an afternoon snack etc without getting plastered.

You are not mistaken my friend. Pilsner, although expensive for us Czechs (36 crowns for a bottle in a shop - for comparison Kozel is somewhere around 16), is a beer that u drink on any occasion. The downside is that it is quite rich in calories so you rarely see people on a lunch break get a large one. Most people, when on a lunch break, get a šnyt or a small one.

[@arthursimsa9005]

I’ve had Budvar right next to Pilsner Urquell and I find it’s insane to claim that any of the two is vastly superior to the other. They smell and taste 95% the same. Budvar is slightly maltier and sweeter and Pilsner Urquell is the tiniest hoppier and plainly smells stronger (but the smell is 90% the same). They are extremely similar.

[@miroslavbuchar2559]

Hello, its 10 months from your comment but our consumption isnt definitely driven by beer during lunch but by six beers at night.

[@miroslavbuchar2559]

@@arthursimsa9005 as a Czech I couldnt disagree with you more, Budvar tastes totally different than Pilsner and all other Czech beers because its made from fresh hops. Beers that are similiar to Pilsner are Kozel 11 or Excelent.

[@arthursimsa9005]

@@miroslavbuchar2559 maybe in Czechia… but not once it’s arrived abroads… even in nice specialised beer shops. I’ve had « Krahulik 12 » (in cans) by craft brewers Zichovec, and it was way better than Budvar.

[@jamesforster-rea6604]

I genuinely believe Urquell is the most balanced beer I've ever tasted. Malts and hops in complete equal measure.

[@vaseklepic12]

I do prefer the higher bitterness of Radegast, but Pilsner Urquell is quite decent

[@Lord_Kratos69]

Yeah we also call IT Plzeň in Slovakia🇸🇰 and czech🇨🇿 IT is our premium

[@jeremyrichards8327]

My brother who sadly died in 1998 got me into the Budvar lager and it has been my favourite since.

[@andrewhayes7055]

Star is brewed in Burton , It should say brewed in the UK under licence on the label if you got it from a supermarket. The feedback on various forums is that it does not compare well to the Czech brewed stuff.

[@GavJ_81]

No nothing like the Czech brewed, what a mess brewed under license lagers are.

[@adamr63]

@@GavJ_81 The Czech version is just not a great beer, in fact it's looked down upon by most Czechs, and is known as the beer of the street alcoholics in Prague, LOL. Urquell is the most perfectly designed and brewed lager beer that you can readily buy, I always have a few bottles in the fridge.

[@mach2223]

@@adamr63 I like it personally, not the best, I prefer Radegast 12° or Pilsner obviously, actually Bakalář is quite a nice choice IMO. But Staropramen 12° is not a bad beer by me.

[@jj2208]

went to lidl today and they have bottles imported from czech republic. BOOM

[@providief]

@@jj2208 Lidl FTW

[@goblue84]

Pilsner Urquell would be my desert island beer. I don't think I could ever get tired of it. It's in a league of its own.

[@damian-795]

Its beautiful

[@jimmarshall807]

I drank Staropramen in Prague, Urquell in Plzen (in the brewery) and Budvar in Budweis on a cycle tour a few years back (builds up a thirst!) All great, but Urquell takes it for me, has a certain tanginess that lasts. I'll be cycling in Bavaria in September...

[@alanthomson1227]

Been drinking Budvar and Urquell for decades . First tasted Staropramen while staying in Prague , in the old Staropramen brewery , which is now a hotel .

[@donalgoggin8771]

I have had all of these so many times in Ireland in bottle, and on draft/bottle in Czech Republic. I think that Pilsner Urquell is on another level to the other 2. Simon mentions a syrupy taste from pilsner urquell and I presume this is the distinctive caramel flavour from the traditional decoction mash. I would have rated PU definitely a few points above the others

[@R.C.M..]

It's widely regarded as the best lager in the world.

[@Heaven-dy9lj]

Pilsner is unbelievable on tap - completely different. Just got back from Plzen. Had an unpasteurised Pilsner - wow. Would have loved to have tried one before they changed the brewing process at Plzen. Think it used to have a higher ABV percent too.

[@johnp8131]

It is possible to get Urquell and Budvar here on draught, it's not common but if anywhere, you can find it in specialist bars and posh pubs? Draught British Staropramen you can keep!

[@itsinthetreesitscoming7431]

it's always been 4.4%

[@klontjespap]

@@itsinthetreesitscoming7431 which would make sense when you think about it, pilsner kinda started there in CZ didn't it. at that point in time it was most likely a pretty huge feat back a shy 200 years ago or whatever when they started making lager/pilsner similar to how the common as dirt stuff we have everywhere now. so i bet it would've been an absolute bragging right to have a low ABV clear lager then. traditionally, it's more difficult to make a low ABV clear reading beer,t sure needs a lot more filtration, more steps, and potential quality control doesn't it ? anyone who just brews for hobby at home with basic bitch tools, knows a 4 or 5 % clean lager with no sediment is a league or 2 up there from making a cloudy goopy 7% if you care about nto ruining it with water after the fact :')

[@andyshawproducer]

@@johnp8131 Hi John, there used to be a fair few places that had tanks of unpasteurised Pilsner Urquell, but there's not so many now. The only one in London is The Duck and Rice and last time I went there the glass fridge / freezer was broken so they weren't even keeping the glasses cold which massively affected the taste. Almost reported them to PU. Manchester - Albert Schloss also has the unpasteurised tanks and they pour it correctly with cold glasses / 3 finger head etc. You will find the odd place that has it on tap like other beers but they won't be pouring it into a cold , wet glass and you won't get a decent head on it. I'm not crazy I just love the stuff :)

[@thisisobviouslynotmyrealname]

​@andyshawproducer their website says The White Horse pub carries tankovna. Dont know if the info is up to date

[@theunholyprince8682]

I remember I first had the Budvar when I was on the LNER train from London King's Cross to Aberdeen last year and I have to say the Budvar was absolutely incredible even if it was in a can, I find it incredible that even in this day and age you can get the Budvar for a decent price aka £1.49 at Home & Bargain for a 500ml bottle, for a Czech style beer and this is just personal preference however I much prefer it to Staro. As Simon mentioned it's very floral, it's pleasant, for me it's just a perfect all round Lager.

[@ianlaker9161]

For me, Urquell is characterised by that caramel malt. It's due to the decoction mash where a portion of the mash is boiled and returned to the main mash, increasing the temperature in steps. It causes a maillard reaction that gives that caramel flavour. Very moreish.

[@tjh__]

I've been loving Pilsner Urquell recently. It's cheap and hard to fault if you get it nice and cold. I've been of the opinion that UK-brewed continental beers aren't as good and I recently had some pretty grim Staropramen from bottle. I'll have to give Budvar another chance if they're always imported!

[@lightoftheworld417]

Bought Staropramen once from Tesco, brewed in UK, was pretty bad.

[@tjh__]

@@lightoftheworld417 yep it's dogshit!

[@markleitch7328]

Pilsner Urquell a step up from the other two imo . Could get 6 330ml cans for £5 in sainsburys but it’s disappeared off the shelves recently. Pity as pound for pound one of the best deals in the supermarkets. Budvar also good Why anyone would choose the carlings, Heineken etc over these beers astounding as they aren’t anymore expensive

[@paulpowis5914]

Couldn’t agree more. I wouldn’t wash my car with that eurofizz 💩

[@ttmadness34]

Seen Pilsner Urquell in Morrisons today in the 500ml bottles, £2 a bottle.

[@nigelwatson2750]

Urquell is the best beer in the world!

[@WelshWilks]

Urquell & Budvar 6 packs are always on offer in Asda. 2 for £10.

[@arturobandini4078]

​@@WelshWilksI'm going to go try find that offer later, then!

[@beefsuprem0241]

In my experience the staropramen is so much better on draft than shop bought. Like a different drink. But all 3 are better than the usual supermarket pish lagers in the UK.

[@everyone06]

Some Wetherspoons sell it on tap.

[@heiltd1286]

Czechia has amazing beers (as does England). Their brewers have the utmost respect for England's beer culture. The difference between Czechia and England is that Czechs will not drink trash. There is no market there for Carling, Sol, Corona, Fosters and Bud( if you tried to get that you'd definitely be persona non grata). My favourite of these beers is definitely Budweiser. The Pilsner Urquell was stronger 30 years ago at 5% and tasted better too. Budweiser has retained its taste and strength more. Of course they're all great beers. Also Budweiser do a dark lager.

[@Heaven-dy9lj]

Yeah I thought it had a higher ABV originally. They also changed the brewing process, from wooden tanks/coopers to metal ones. Many say the taste drastically changed then.

[@NataliaBolshakova]

It's beer o'clock also in Russia, St. Petersburg....hmmm...as you say a matter of personal preferences! Personally I like the Urquell more coz of some bitterness and another type of hop, obviously. Thanks so much for all of your outstanding presentations! Greets, Paul

[@DrLager2000]

Home bargains do 4 x 500ml cans of Budvar fior £5.49. They also do the dark larger and and the Zero Alochol Budvar too. I LOVE BUDVAR...Its my go to loveliness.

[@Sorelizard]

This was a nice comparison of some of the great beers from Czech. Reminded me of good times. Thank you for this review!

[@ClubRugbyWales]

I've yet to try Pilsner Urquell but when I go shopping I'm keeping an eye out for it. Really want to try it.

[@johnp8131]

Certainly fuller in flavour than the others.

[@unklestu]

They sell it in Asda

[@ClubRugbyWales]

The closest Asda to me is about 12 miles away so never really go over there.

[@tobyjackman3212]

If you're _really_ clever you'll find it on draught

[@ClubRugbyWales]

Got hold of some from Morrisons, shall be trying it out on the weekend!

[@scasny]

As Czech republic is a neighbor country i tasted all 3 beers, as Czech are known to drink most beer rivaled only by Germany. Slovakia is known to consume most hard alcohol in EU. So starting from the last place is Budvar, strong bitterness and full flavor, downside you cant drink more then 2-3 until you are full and your head hurt next day a bit. Second is Pilsner rich but refreshing taste, cause the price not many bars have it and have bit metallic watery notes that someone like but i dont. It have sophisticated round taste but the watery notes ae down side forme and have the lightest pleasant taste of the 3. Lastly Staropramen is closer to Budvar and less complicated the Pilsner. My personal favorite as best casual beer as other 2 are more celebrational. Its strong bitterns is not for everybody and dont have any watery metallic notes. Its easy drinking but as he stated it will hit you as a truck. As a 6,6 guy 4-6 bottles is when i begin to feel slightly drunk.

[@jimclark830]

Urquell for me, evert day of the week. For an ale drinker, this is my go-to pilsner. Love the flavour, batting above its league for a 4.4% and its totally sessionable

[@MichaelRichards293]

These battle videos are amazing Simon. Keep them coming. Could you also please do a U.K. brewed v foreign brewed v Lidl/Aldi copy blindfolded? Maybe for Moretti or something like that!

[@johnthomas7038]

I remember being served Pilsner Urquell for breakfast in Prague nearly 20 years ago - I thought that I'd found Beer Heaven!

[@Heaven-dy9lj]

You often see men at stalls or huts, drinking in the morning. It's an interesting drinking culture. They respect the alcohol, drink more, but don't act stupid in CZ.

[@edwardwilcox6606]

Great review of really solid Pilsners, thanks. One of my very favourite pils/lagers was Kozel bought in the bottle at Wetherspoons which to my sadness they stopped stocking.

[@edwardwilcox6606]

@tommykarol It is matey, I was trying to work it out & it must be about 12 years ago! These were drunk early evening in the 'Figure-of-Eight' on Broad St in B'ham. Glad you enjoyed it too!

[@6thUser]

Just finished a couple of Staropramen's. It's my daily refreshment on these hot summer days. Love all three brands. Personally, I think Kozel should complete that fine company 😊 Cheers 🍻

[@IIJOSEPHXII]

Urquell, Budvar, Warsteiner were my go to beers when I lived in Hamburg in the 90s Astra and Jever were very good as well.

[@DasTubemeister]

Pilsner Urquell in a bar in Prague was the best beer I ever tasted. Especially with Goulash and dumplings.

[@filmscorefreak]

Urquell is essentially a single malt, single hop beer (Saaz). The caramel flavor is from the decoction mash. Budvar also does decoction, and not sure about Staro but I'm assuming they do as well. It would just depend on my mood on which one I prefer at the moment, as they're all totally great and would stock my fridge with any of them.

[@peterm7548]

Both Sainsbury's and Tesco's websites state that Staropramen is brewed in the UK now. I used to buy it from Majestic Wine when it was still an import. I don't bother with it now but I expect it is the best lager on tap in many pubs now. I love both Urquell and Budvar. Many Czech beers have a lower ABV. If you go to a specialist Czech shop you will find Czech brewed Staropramen at 4%. Also Kozel and Radegast are 4% beers. Most Czech brewers have a standard strength lager and a stronger version except Urquell which is only ever 4.4%. Also there is no standard strength Budvar only the 5% version. I also like the Slovakian lager Zlaty Bazant (Gold Pheasant) which has a range of strengths. I love Pilsner Urquell in winter as its as robust as any British pale ale!

[@oopsadaisy9323]

Just a thought but the bar code on the label may give a clue to country of origin. All UK codes start 50

[@SharkKowalski]

Fun fact - Pilsner Urquell in Czech is called Plzensky Prazdroj where 'prazdroj' means an ancient source (same as 'urquell'), and Staropramen means an old source :D

[@krisdeltoro]

The Staropramen that is brewed in the U.K is horrible. Pilsner and budvar are light years ahead of it for me.

[@JerseyLostRingMetalDetecting]

Can only thumb your comment up once :(

[@MH-kc8pq]

Spot on. Uk brewed Statopram 😢

[@JamesPorter1982]

Just had a Staropramen and it does say it's brewed in the UK by Molson Coors. That said, it does state on the label it uses Czech hops and all things considered I was surprised how nice it was.

[@petercollins4030]

I bought a few bottles of Staropramen a few days ago, thinking it was Czech, but it was brewed in the UK when I checked the bottle.

[@tobyjackman3212]

I'd have been raging pal

[@jimmymcguire8217]

The good stuff back in lidls, don't tell anyone lol

[@motorwest]

I live in France, Budvar is my favourite beer! I also buy Urquell which was recommended by the nice people at V&B.

[@hypernova3527]

For me, you placed them in order from right to left. Pilsner Urquell is the best for me, perfectly balanced for a pilsner, bitter but with that malty sweetness still behind. It's been a long time since i last drank Budejovicky Budvar, but I liked it, really on par with Pilsner Urquell. Staropramen, while not bad at all, tastes really soft, a bit of bitterness at the beginning, a very small bit of sweetness after and then nothing. I like it, it's very fresh and easy to drink without falling into the "watery" category, if that's what you want, but I'm more a fan of stronger beers, so it irremediably gets the last place.

[@neilcarroll5250]

Another great video,3 great beers very difficult to choose the best one it's all down to personal taste. When I was out in Germany everywhere I went they told me the beer brewed in that region was the best in Germany I loved everyone them and believed everyone them.probably the same in the Czech republic. 😊

[@lightoftheworld417]

Simon give Vinohradsky Pivovar a go. Had one of their Pilsner back in December was sublime.

[@adamwhittaker5218]

Just 3 brilliant beers

[@patrickblunsdon913]

I’ve lived in Czech for 10 years, Pilsner Urquell is the best beer by some distance, and as it’s the most popular, the Czech beer drinking public would probably agree!

[@TommeeKnocker]

I always have the Budvar first as Urquel is so Malty on the front end and bitter on the back, so pronounced that the more subtle Budvar is lost to me if drunk afterwards, have got a bottle of Staropramen to try tonight, but it will have to be some kind of special to dethrone Urquel for me.

[@adamr63]

Budvar tastes so sweet after drinking a PU.

[@TommeeKnocker]

@@adamr63 I no longer drink , broke my heart several months ago as I handed over all my beer to a neighbour whilst telling him all about the PU that was included in the bag 😂

[@Irishbeermonk]

Staropramen in Prague brew a beer specifically for the Irish Market called "Pratzky". It is currently priced at 6 cans for €9 or 4 can for €6 of a Czech brewed pilsner. It's an excellent budget brand. Some people find it a little too bitter and earthy for their liking, and others see it as a teenager binge beer because before minimum alcohol pricing, it used to be x4 500ml cans for €5. If you ever get the chance to review it, I'd like to see your take on it. I personally don't mind it, especially in these costly times.

[@timomomomo969]

Great matchup! In the US, Pilsner Urquell was unreliable allegedly due to the bottles at the time. Today we get it canned and in brown bottles and it’s much more reliable. But it was always great out of the tap. Budvar, which is Czechvar here, is one of my favorite non-German Pilsners.

[@krisbowditch827]

Quality booze my friend 😉 🍺🇪🇺👍

[@krisbowditch827]

Frosty glasses winner, I first came across it ,when I was in a Arizona bar …U.S of A during the mid 90s … mega impressed with it, use to tell my mates back the UK they were missing out lol 😁

[@WelshAndrew]

Great video Simon. I also did this battle last week for my curiosity. Budvar was my winner and is my favourite supermarket lager. Also available in my nearby Lidl which is a bonus 👍🏻

[@agdewey]

I used to love Staropramen until, once again, it was ruined by being brewed in the UK. Why oh why do we put up with this crap?!

[@endurojimmy3109]

I fluctuate between all three of these beers. I'd personally give all three of them a 10 out of 10. Although the Staropromen must be brewed in the Czech Republic.

[@theseeker3771]

Pilsner Urquell is great...but the bitterness kind of accumulates pretty quickly so if you want to drink more than two or three you have to alternate it with something else...to clean the palate.

[@richard99cookify]

Budvar and Pilsner Urquell both imported here how it should be. Staropramen bought here is much like any other macro beer brewed under licence here and simply not comparable to the other two. Budvar way better in cans due to the bottle colour.

[@MarkoTiano]

Pilsner Urquell cannot be beaten worldwide -the perfect beer. There is an art to it they way they make it.

[@Starshipnight]

Budweiser is excellent, balanced beer. Pilsener Urquell is also fantastic beer with great bitterness, second place for me among them, Staropramen is just good beer.

[@anstroth]

Nice review and agree with your choice. I always check the label etc thoroughly to ensure any beer I buy isn’t brewed in the UK and it comes from the country it’s supposed to be from (unless it’s a uk beer) and even have my better half doing the same for me if I’m not in the shop with her🙂

[@DanielFord-tj4ym]

Urquell and budvar (along with estrella galicia) are on another level to any other beer available in the UK. The madri and moretti love in baffles me!

[@markyw7954]

Great video....after your recent video I went straight to one of those European supermarkets and got 4 bottles of Zubr. I won't lie it was like a pint poured from the pub brilliant

[@azerbouf]

My go to is: Pilsner Urquell from the bottle, Budvar from the tap! (especially Budvar 33). Staropramen is good from the tap, but way different from the can or a bottle. Different beer I would say.

[@strongbowism]

Good video👍 My go to lager is Budvar coming in just above Warsteiner and Super Bock as my personal favourites. Having never tried Urquell I will have to get hold of some for a comparison.

[@HerbertDuckshort]

If the bar code starts with 5 it’s probably brewed in the U.K. Best to avoid…..Staropramen is brewed in ……guess where?…….Burton on Bloody Trent.

[@paulmarsh5856]

YES, you are absolutely correct about the Czech Republic being the 'spiritual home' of Pilsner ! However, France also do very many and varied Pilsner - Lager - Ales, mostly quite strong. How about doing a comparison Video on some of the most popular ??? That would be most interesting don't you think ?

[@dangruhn9838]

All great beers. Each are delicious for their own reasons. I give my edge to Pilsner Urquell because I can find it almost everywhere. Na zdraví! 🍻

[@tobyjackman3212]

Curious how long those 3 pints lasted after filming🤔

[@AA-uf3bl]

My only problem with Budvar, which is a big problem for me, is that it has very poor head retention, as the head completely dissipates before you even start to drink it. Note, I'm even generous when I'm saying "poor head retention", as in reality it doesn't have any head retention at all. This video even confirms my assertion.

[@alangreenwood3951]

I noticed that there is no head retention on Budvar compared to the Urquell & Staropramen? Is that because of the glass...

[@snuffyballparks6501]

HUGE fan of all 3 of these beers. Had them all on tap while in Czech.

[@0bzen22]

Pilsner Urquell is my go-to. It's just.... nice. Perfect everyday beer. Budvar, not so much. Gotta try the Staropramen.

[@OPTIONALWATCH]

I went to Czech Republic 2 years ago and made Pilsner Urquell my favorite go to beer when I returned to the states. That's what I have in my fridge now. I'm a Samuel Adams lager drinker as well. That beer is from Boston Massachussetts. I would love a European to do a review of that beer. I'm curious what they think of the flavor.

[@tomwilliams7391]

Its interesting what you said about not being intersted in the Brains beer in the pub.....I find these days I sometimes prefer premium lager than the ale from large regional brewers....if you get real ale in a country pub where its from a smaller brewer and the pub really cares about the beer ale can still be really nice then

[@MaD_fX]

Definitely Pilsner out of these 3. Budvar and Staropramen are nice enough beers but they have very slight sweetness to them which I don't like, that refreshing bitterness of the Pilsner takes the crown for me here. In certain places in London you can get it on draught, unpasteurised, it's excellent.

[@theseeker3771]

Dang.... I'm coming to London soon...are you sure you can get it unpasteurised? I thought you could only get that at the brewery in Prague? Please tell me where.

[@itsinthetreesitscoming7431]

@@theseeker3771 you can get it in most major cities now - look for 'Pilsner Urquell Tankovna' in your area... I've had it in Liverpool, Manchester and York.

[@MaD_fX]

@@theseeker3771 Yeah, unfortunately I think lockdowns(and possibly Brexit) killed most of them off. Loads of places in London used to have it, but it looks like there are only 2 left, at least according to Urquell's website. Just like the other guy said - search for Tankovna and you will find it.

[@theshowmanuk]

I did a comparison recently between Staropramen (brewed in UK) and Asahi (brewed in Italy !) for the UK market. Asahi won hands down.

[@GreggFellows]

i love Czech beer, got drunk in Ostrava a few years back on Ostravar beer..... hang over of the gods that one, usually go for a Urquell, lovely beer

[@Morrie-queens]

What is your problem!!! I told you not to do that again.

[@louisbeerreviews8964]

@@Morrie-queensshut up troll bot

[@gazmas1979]

Staropramen brew Sainsburys own Czech Lager, which is a nice drop and more than holds its own against regular Staro.

[@ThisOldManOfTheSea]

Just got back from Morrisons where they currently (12 July) have 500 ml bottles of Urquell (£2) and Budovar (£2.25) on a 4 for the price of 3 offer. So that’s 2litres of Urquell for £6 which is a bargain I couldn’t resist. Didn’t see any Staropramen but perhaps they’d sold out as it’s also on the 4 for 3 offer in 660ml bottles (£2.35) but it is the ‘brewed in Burton’ version. Morrisons website reckon these offers expire 1/1/24 but ‘whilst stocks available’.

[@michaelboultonboxoffice]

Hi Simon, just wondering how you keep the head so long lasting like on the staroprmane? Mine disappear quite quickly

[@fuzzydunlop1988]

Pilsner Prazdroj (Urquell) is one of my favourites. I like drinking in Czech Republic and Slovakia. You can have a 10%/° or 12, usually. Completely different feel to them and depending on my mood I'll have either/or. There's a beer in east Slovakia that I fell in love with. Šariš. You can only get it there. I'm making myself thirsty. Anyway, Asahi (Japanese company) own about 60% of the commercial beers in Czechia/Slovakia.

[@joshuaisrael2494]

So exiting!!! Czech’s have great beers!!! Many years ago I had a great Pilsner in Praha overlooking the Charles Bridge on Vltava River. Amazing 😀😀😀

[@adamwhittaker5218]

How many years have they been produced in green bottles?

[@Sportage5603]

Where is the best place to pick up Urquell? I get the Budvar in Lidl its about £1.79 a bottle.

[@london_TC]

Thanks to your channel I've been checking the back of beer bottles now to see where they were brewed! Was in Tesco the other day and a 660ml Staropramen was brewed in the UK unfortunately

[@pompeyjim]

Same here. I've had enough of brewed in uk crap. Been waking up without a hangover since ditching uk stuff.

[@simonmason8582]

We drove to Plzeň from Hull last May and had Urquell in a beer garden - heaven!

[@dylanscruton2071]

Simon is truly in his pilsner era

[@klontjespap]

or season perhaps, after all, it's high summer, and a fresher (dare i say more watery without trying to make negative connnotations) beer just drinks easier on those kind of days, now doesn't it ? :D personally i like my lemon juices and other citrussy / soury stuff in the summer more too, and the winter pulls me to more more stout and stodgy stuff case in point (albeit outside the scope of beer): in summertime i drink quite a bit of apple juice, but i barely touch it in the winter at all, it's something i only really crave in the summer neither do i eat a lot of thick dutch pea soup (snert) in high summer, it's so much better in wintertime. what constitutes a highly comfortable or enjoyable/pleasurable experience is quite subjective to external factors that nudge your internal compass as you experience them. :D everyday temperature and one's accustomisation to such, is one behemoth of a factor lol

[@Coxy-b34]

The Staropramen we now buy in the UK is brewed in the UK. A shame because the Czech brewed original is a really good beer.

[@kpace8605]

It is brewed in the UK and just not the same beer.I brought a bottle not long ago without checking.Then i noticed Burton On Trent on the bottle.🤔

[@TommeeKnocker]

Do you still think it is a nice beer, as good as Budvar?

[@KoooomA]

It's a fantastic beer once you land down anywhere in Czech or Slovakia.. the beer hugs you with its honesty.. here in UK I stopped drinking it.. 1 liter of beer needs 8l of local water, that's the alpha & omega of a beer

[@Coxy-b34]

@@TommeeKnocker I stopped drinking it. Remember buying a 4 pack and knew it didn't taste as good as it used to, looked at the bottle and low and behold, brewed in UK. Budvar is definitely better than the UK brewed Staropramen but I preferred the Czech brewed over Budvar.

[@TommeeKnocker]

@@Coxy-b34 Cheers, I have one bottle to try later but was a bit dubious of the "UK factor".

[@ddthecm]

I remember drinking 'proper' imported Staropramen in the mid nineties. It was really good but stronger and had a really banana-y smell when you got your nose in the glass. Four pints was plenty back then. Used to be available on tap at Bass pubs.

[@chrisbarry773]

If you like bitterness in a Pilsener, then König Pilsener is very good. I had it in Potsdam recently, it was delicious.

[@johnp8131]

Bloody hell, that's right over the other side of the country from the brewery, if it's the common one? Didn't used to be a nationally available beer when we lived over there. The brewery is in Duisburg near the Dutch border, which 15 minutes from my in-laws place. If you enjoy a more bitter pilsner, give "Jever Pils" a try? Many German pilsners have become pretty bland over the last twenty years or so to become more acceptable to the mass European markets. Bitburger and Warsteiner being cases in point.

[@briancuthbert4508]

You’ve got me back drinking good beer again Simon. Thanks to you I’m back on it😉

[@BrainWavesVillain]

you got a frosted glass of Staropramen on a hot summer's day in the beer garden and it's just lovely :)

[@markwarnberg9504]

Like your videos. Have to say it´s not the alcohal % that makes the beer....it´s the taste, and that is personal preferance.

[@TregTube]

The Staropramen is UK brewed. It’s probably the best of the UK brewed stuff I’ve come across. But not in the same league as almost anything brewed in Europe. In my opinion. Great review as always!

[@simtyful]

All three of those beers have ben pasteurised for export. It completely changes the taste. You can usually tell by the shape of the bottle shoulders. If they are very square shoulders it's export. A bottle that looks a bit more like a skittle is what to look out for.

[@2010LACES]

Been waiting years for you to review these CZ beers. Thanks!!

[@WigsyDoesSimRacing]

Until a couple of months ago the way to tell if staropramen was brewed here or in Czechia was the UK ones had a gold label, and the Czech ones had a green label, but since they’ve changed it you basically can’t tell.

[@theseeker3771]

I used to love Budvar but I think about 8 years ago I noticed a real change in the recipe. Now I find it overly sweet too malty and without much of the dry hoppy Pilsner character... Pilsner Urquell is still ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC though....thank God. It's one of the few remaining volume international beers I will actually drink these days. Staropramen was alright but not a patch in Urquell.

[@tommyist598]

Great review love these beers. Budvar an all time fav classic, pilsner urquell and staropramen great beers too. All tasty well balanced without being too much in any direction. Budvar probably edges it but actually like the slightly lower abv drinkability of urquell. Back in 1999 drank these great beers and others for 26p -£1a pint in Czech 👍

[@RyanSmith-fn3uj]

I feel like the bottled staropramen I drink here in the UK has changed recently somehow? Still good but I don't seem to be enjoying it the same as I was but can't put my finger on it

[@ThisOldManOfTheSea]

The bottles of Staropramen I have here state ‘Brewed in UK (Burton)’ right at the top of the rear label.

[@RyanSmith-fn3uj]

@@ThisOldManOfTheSea Not noticed that yet but yes that must be what it is. Cheers

[@klackon1]

I subscribed to your channel a couple of months ago and I really enjoy the content of your videos. I recently purchased a number of supermarket lagers you recommended and they were spot on. Of the three on test here, I just can't get on with Urqell. It's not a beer for me. If you have not had the chance to try these two, should you do so in the future, I would be interested in your opinion. I love them: Titanic Plum Porter and Jever Maibock. Five bottles of Maibock and you're talking fluent gibberish. I used to drink it when visiting and working with my mates at the Jagdgeschwader Richthofen Luftwaffe base in the 70's and 80's.

[@tobyjackman3212]

I think he's done titanic plum porter?! Good beer 🍺

[@Decommissioned-45]

gambrinus (90's)used to be the go to beer in Prague, now its pilsner and staropramen

[@TheJoshtheboss]

If you could get your hands on Radegast or Zubr (not thr polish Zubr though), you would love it. I find them much better lagers than any of the 3 to be honest. Of course Urquell is still a staple, but that's also for historic reasons. Budvar is solid. Staropramen used to be regarded as a solid beer in the Czech republic, but has really fallen from grace the past decade. Kozel, Radegast, Gambrinus, Zubr, Svijany are now really popular.

[@colmryan7741]

Great video Simon. The 500ml bottles of staropramen are brewed in czech republic, 660ml are uk brewed. Also would it be worth drinking water between beers to get a true comparison

[@albertroberts1112]

Do you know where you can buy the 500ml bottles?

[@colmryan7741]

Not sure about uk, got mine in Tesco in Ireland

[@narabdela]

Been drinking Pilsner Urquell since I discovered it in a small off-license in Scotland in the 1970s. Nothing comes close imo. Wouldn't touch British brewed lager with a bargepole.

[@nigeltrivass4128]

Urquell in a bottle takes it, the ABV is perfect, actually tastes as if it's far stronger.

[@waydegardner7373]

Partial to Staropramen as we visited Prague last April and we can’t get in Texas. Honestly we drank so many good (local)beers on our trip it’s hard to pick a clear winner. I was also partial to the unfiltered offerings.

[@MichaelRichards293]

The Czechs drink more beer per head of population than anyone else in the world. Even Ireland is a sorry a second place 😂

[@oracleoftruth]

I love this style. Absolutley my favourite lager. Pilsner Urquell in bottles in UK has a real diacetyl taste to me and Staropramen is very inconsistent. Czech Budweiser (Budvar) is the stand out of the three for me but you did it a bit dirty with that pour (or the glass?). The head makes such a difference to the taste and texture. Have you tried the syringe trick, Simon?

[@tobyjackman3212]

Well someone's got to ask.. what's the syringe trick?

[@fakefootball8407]

All 3 of those Czech beers are really good. I wish all those beers would be available in 1/2 liter bottles. I got to go to the Czech Republic one of these days.