Czech Republic vs Germany: Which Country Truly Produces the Best Tasting Beer?

Beer enthusiasts often debate the world's tastiest pint, with Pilsner Urquell from the Czech Republic and Budweiser Budvar from neighboring Germany often mentioned in the discussion. But which country truly reigns supreme in taste, disregarding national pride?

History and Tradition

When Pilsner beer was first created in the city of Pilsen, Czech Republic, a Bavarian “Braumeister” was imported to bring the savoir-faire to the brewing process. Similarly, when Allg?u Emmenthaler cheese was invented, a cheese-making expert from Switzerland was brought in.

Both countries boast a wide range of beer styles, many of which are local and not exported. However, the exported versions of beer have their own history of development.

The Old Brewery Legacy

Until around 20 years ago, the answer for the best-tasting beer might have been clear: Czech beer. Particularly in the former "iron curtain" countries, there had been little investment in breweries, so the old ones continued much as they had since the 19th century. A prime example is Pilsner Urquell, where ancient brewing equipment was used, and the recipes remained unchanged for many decades.

The Paradigm Shift: Industrialization and Standardization

Following the end of World War II, Germany’s industrial rebuild brought about numerous large breweries to produce mass lagers. Examples include Henninger Oettinger. While some old, renowned breweries still thrived, the standard German lagers became "helles" in the South and "pils" style elsewhere, leading to the disappearance of the old malt-tasting, hop-rich, and powerful "export" styles in the Ruhr and Rhineland. Thus, the exported German beers tend to be more uniform and less distinct.

Czechia, too, is facing similar changes. Many of the old breweries have been acquired by Western mega-swill companies, such as the Japanese Asahi company owning Pilsner Urquell. The old equipment was replaced with stainless steel, and lagering times were drastically shortened. This has resulted in a decline in the quality and character of the beer.

Modern Challenges and Legacy Breweries

At the upper end of the market, traditional breweries such as Budvar from the Czech Republic and Weihenstephaner pils from Germany continue to produce high-quality beers. Both brands are steeped in long-standing traditions, with the only real difference being the types of hops used. Budvar uses Saaz hops, while Weihenstephaner employs Hallertau hops.

However, at the lower end of the market, brands like Praga and Oettinger from both Czech and German countries produce ordinary, mass-produced beers that are less distinct in flavor.

Conclusion

The debate over which country produces the best tasting beer cannot be easily resolved. Both Czech and German beer traditions hold their own unique heritage and quality levels. As the market shifts towards larger brewery ownership and mass production, it will be interesting to see how these traditional brewing methods are preserved and adapted.