Czech Republic: Urquell will be checking the quality of this year's hops

The hop harvesting in the Czech Republic has reached its peak. Compared to the last year, the yield could go slightly below average; the quality, nevertheless, remains high. For the Czech hop farmers Pilsner Urquell is one of the most important purchasers - in the last year, for example, it processed 30 percent of Czech hops that was sold to national beer producers, SABMiller published on September 7. This year the hop supplies of Czech sorts, such as Žatecký poloraný červeňák, Sládek and Agnus, are already secured. In addition, Gambrinus master brewer, Jan Hlaváček, went out himself to hop fields to check the quality of this year's production.

Beer malting of the Czech beer sorts keeps consistently high above the world average. Thus, the specific dosage of hop in one hectolitre of beer amounts to 7.3 g alpha bitter acids. "The higher acerbity of beer and an intensive hop flavour resulting from the use of Czech hop sorts is a typical note of Pilsner Urquell, Gambrinus, and other Czech beers. Together they contribute to their rounded-up savour and make them extremely drinkable," says Gambrinus master brewer Jan Hlaváček.

- With the total amount of 10.7 million hectolitres (235.4 million gallons) sold in 2008 - including licensed production abroad - and exporting to over 50 countries world-wide, Pilsner Urquell Ltd. is the leading beer producer in the region and the biggest exporter of Czech beer.

- Pilsner Urquell Ltd. is a member of the global group SABMiller plc. Pilsner Urquell is the international flagship of the SABMiller portfolio.

- SABMiller plc is one of the largest beer producers in the world. Its brewing and commercial activities spread over more than 60 countries across 6 continents. SABMiller brand group includes important international brand names, such as Miller Genuine Draft, Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Pilsner Urquell as well as close to 200 successful regional and national labels.

09 September, 2009