Pilsner Urquell Homebrew Contest

[Tonedef131]

Here I am on the left standing next to Vaclav Berka, Pilsner Urquell’s Brewmaster. Winner in the middle, with second on the right.

That's me on the right, I took second. I don't post here anymore but friend linked me to this thread and it's cool to read other peoples experiences.

This is one of my favorite styles to brew but this is the first time I've brewed any beer specifically for a competition and was very happy with how it turned out. Even though I didn't win, it was a great comp since it was free and on the way to the Great Taste of the Midwest, so I didn't really have anything invested in it. I would have stuck around and talked to the judges but I was with a large group of people who probably didn't feel like waiting plus we had reservations at The Publican.

I would be very interested to know what yeast everyone who entered used.

 

[Rhoobarb]

Had a great time, even though I didn't place. I didn't expect to. The food was terrific and the PU was very fresh. Congrats to all. My wife and I were pulling for the person who ultimately won to win b/c he drove all the way from Ohio.

 

[Lilrascal]

That's me on the right, I took second. I don't post here anymore but friend linked me to this thread and it's cool to read other peoples experiences.

This is one of my favorite styles to brew but this is the first time I've brewed any beer specifically for a competition and was very happy with how it turned out. Even though I didn't win, it was a great comp since it was free and on the way to the Great Taste of the Midwest, so I didn't really have anything invested in it. I would have stuck around and talked to the judges but I was with a large group of people who probably didn't feel like waiting plus we had reservations at The Publican.

I would be very interested to know what yeast everyone who entered used.

It was nice to meet you. I did stop by to speak with some of the judges. They were real complimentary, and confirmed my suspicions on what I could have done to improve on it slightly. I went with Wyeast 2001 Urquell yeast.

 

[Tonedef131]

It was nice to meet you. I did stop by to speak with some of the judges. They were real complimentary, and confirmed my suspicions on what I could have done to improve on it slightly. I went with Wyeast 2001 Urquell yeast.

You too, and that is especially impressive since you are new to lager brewing.

I did 10 gallons and fermented half with 2001 and half with 802. I ended up entering the 802, which finished about 3 points higher than the 2001. Outside of being less dry, it also was maltier and had an interesting fruit note that I thought would make it stand out.

 

[Lilrascal]

Here is the national press release:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Pilsner-Urquell-Crowns-Three-prnews-126704349.html?x=0&.v=1

 

[ChrisS68]

Congrats again Tonedef.
I used WLP 802 as well. Would you say it attenuated lower than expected for you? At @ 72% I thought it was kinda low, especially since the specs say 75-80%. However, White Labs' mini-ferment data shows an attenuation of 71%, so I dunno. I also noticed the fruitiness.

 

[mklawz]

I would be very interested to know what yeast everyone who entered used.

I used both WL800 and WL802. I did a taste test with some very senior members of BJCP, along with Mark Naski from The Stables in St. Louis (he is extremely well versed in this style), and it was decided (unanimously), that the WL800 was a better beer. We sampled them both alongside decent Pilsner Urquell. I dont know what happened to the WL802, but it was really hazy while the WL800 was perfectly clear. Also the 802 had a slight fruitiness that Kyle mentioned. Oh, FWIW, Mark claims to have some PU yeast and said there is no way in h*ll that the WL802 is their proprietary strain.

I didn't even make the top 8, but I didn't exactly brew for this comp either. In fact my beer was already brewed before I even learned of the comp. Had I done the proper taste-testing and sampling earlier than I did, I should have re-brewed it but unfortuantely I didn't take the whole thing serious enough! Good time with a few friends though.

 

[michaeltrego]

I used WLP800 stepping it up to a 3L starter for a 10 gallon batch. Fermented at 50 degrees for 2 weeks, then 53 degrees for 2 more weeks until complete (OG 1.052 FG 1.010). I thought it was clean and cleared very well.

 

[Tonedef131]

I dont know what happened to the WL802, but it was really hazy while the WL800 was perfectly clear. Also the 802 had a slight fruitiness that Kyle mentioned. Oh, FWIW, Mark claims to have some PU yeast and said there is no way in h*ll that the WL802 is their proprietary strain.

For me it finished at 1.010 and had peerless clarity after 2-3 weeks of lagering. 802 is supposedly the Budvar strain, so very much Czech in origin but you are right it's not the Urquell strain. I've heard several sources say PU use a blend of around 7 strains, one of which is 2001, but in the book they gave us at the comp they said they still use the same single strain Joseph Groll brought from Bavaria...so who knows. I like 2001 a lot but as I said I figured a lot of people would use it since it's labeled as the Urquell strain so I figured I would give 802 a shot to make my beer stand out. As much as I love 2001, I think 801 might be my new go to for Bohemian lagers. I have a U Fleku clone fermenting right now, so we will see how it does in dark beers.

Also I know a lot of people brewed their beers really early or entered ones that were brewed far in advance before the comp was announced. Personally I think freshness made a big difference in my beer, I'd love to know how long the first and third lagered their beers before the comp.

 

[Lilrascal]

I brewed mine around sometime around beginning of June. Lagered end of June and whole month of July right up to the day before the contest when I bottled it. To be honest that is one thing I need to get better at is record keeping.

 

[michaeltrego]

I brewed on 5/7, and it stayed in the primary for 4 weeks. Then I lagered at 35 degrees / 8 psi for 4 weeks. Turned up to 12 psi for another 4 weeks, then bottled the day before the comp.

 

[pjj2ba]

I brewed mine on Memorial day! I used WLP800 as well. 4 weeks at 50F (after 2 days at 48) then kegged, then 10 days at ~68 F as my chiller was full. Then ~3 weeks at 35F and then bottled and kept in the fridge for 10 days prior to the event.

 

[Lilrascal]

I brewed mine on Memorial day! I used WLP800 as well. 4 weeks at 50F (after 2 days at 48) then kegged, then 10 days at ~68 F as my chiller was full. Then ~3 weeks at 35F and then bottled and kept in the fridge for 10 days prior to the event.

Have you gotten any details on your trip yet? How long is it for? I am so jealous. Be sure to post lots of pictures when you get back.

 

[Chefencore]

you think he’ll let us try some?

 

[pjj2ba]

My Pilsner is now long gone. I won't have a chance to try a rebrew until mid-November.

We leave this Sat. and come back on Thurs. I don't have all of the details yet, but we get Sun + part of Mon to ourselves (with our friend from Prague!) then we head to Plzen on Tues for our private tour, then back to Prague Wed. afternoon for a big party, and then flay home Thurs.

We'll take plenty of photos

 

[michaeltrego]

Have a great trip Phil!

 

[DoubleAught]

Just read this entire thread. What a great story! Grats to everyone, enjoy the trip. Was in Czech Republic back in '95, awesome place, enjoy!

 

[pjj2ba]

I'm back. We had a blast!!!!

I've posted photos in the photo forum

Our trip to the Czech republic

 

[unionrdr]

Looks to have been a once in a lifetime trip!