For the first time,
Pilsner Urquell have brought over their fresh Tank Beer (tankové pivo) to the UK. The beer is brewed at the Pilsner Urquell in Pilsen, Czech Republic and transported over whilst fresh, unpasteurised and dispensed in the pub via the large traditional Czech tanks.
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Pilsner Urquell brewer Vaclav Berka (right) and White Horse landlord (left) at the launch of Tank Beer |
The concept behind Tank Beer is great - the beer being very fresh retains the characteristics of the beer which you just don't get in the bottle. The flavour is fuller, very refreshing and balanced, but with a growing hoppy aftertaste which means it gets better the more you drink. It has a slight savory note on the nose and the aftertaste.
We also got a chance to try Milka - a foam beer drink, popular in the Czech Republic - made by manipulating the tap so that all that comes out is the head. The resulting foam tastes sweeter, although you do have to drink it quickly before the foam disappears - maybe that's the attraction!
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Milka |
For now Tank Beer is only available from the
White Horse, but
we've been reassured it will be a permanent fixture. Hopefully the
popularity of Tank Beer will mean that this starts to appear in more pubs across the UK.
Seeing the glistening copper tanks (or pigs), and tasting the refreshing
brew reminded us of many happy days spent with friends in Prague, where
our local host showed us a fantastic time taking us to the few bars in
central Prague which served the fresh tank beer, and accompanied by lots
of pork and dumplings.
Na zdravĂ!