Tapping of the exclusive version of Pilsner Urquell is the Grand Finale of WOB’s ‘Journey through Pilsners’ Event.

Unfiltered, unpasteurized Pilsner Urquell will be tapped at World of Beer in West Hartford on March 12. Submitted photo

By Ronni Newton

Beer aficionados as well as casual beer drinkers will have a unique opportunity to sample the original Pilsner Urquell when World of Beer taps one of just 136 kegs of the brew being shipped directly from Plzen in the Czech Republic to the United States.

The original, unfiltered, unpasteurized Pilsner Urquell will be tapped at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, at World of Beer’s Blue Back Square location, 73 Isham Rd., West Hartford.

According to a news release from World of Beer, this is the first time that the original pilsner – “that inspired every pilsner brewed since 1842 when the brewery was founded” – will be available on this scale in America.

“Typically only available in the Czech Republic, the unfiltered, unpasteurized Pilsner Urquell is being express-shipped to the U.S. for peak flavor and freshness. The journey to WOB’s neighborhood taverns begins with the kegs filled direct from the cellars at the Plzen brewery. The beer is conveyed in chilled vans and kept cold and fresh throughout its intercontinental flight, as well as on its final trek to each tavern,” the news release states.

According to World of Beer, the original, fresh “cask-conditioned” lager tastes somewhat different from the version typically found in the U.S., and is more full-bodied and slightly cloudy.

“Our ‘Journey through Pilsners’ event is the first of many one-of-a-kind craft beer experiences we have in store for our guests in 2015,” said World of Beer CEO Paul Avery in the release. “No other beer style in the world has the pedigree and staying power of pilsner. From the Czech traditions that inspired the brew to its modern-day interpretations by local craft breweries, our pilsner journey will take our guests to places unexpected.”

The tapping of Pilsner Urquell is the final event in World of Beer’s “Journey Through Pilsners.” Fans can also enter for a chance to win a trip to Plzen, Czech Republic, home of the Pilsner Urquell brewery and birthplace of the world’s first pilsner by checking with their server or clicking on this link. 

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford!