Josef Groll Is Hired By The Burghers’ Brewery In Pilsen

In 1842, Josef Groll, a Bavarian brewer from Vilshofen in Lower Bavaria, was brought to Pilsen to brew at the new Burghers’ Brewery. The decision followed dissatisfaction with the quality of local beer in Pilsen, where beer had previously been brewed by individual burghers with brewing rights and with varying results. Groll brought experience with Bavarian bottom-fermented brewing to Pilsen. In the new brewery, he brewed the first batch of the beer later known as Pilsner Urquell on October 5, 1842, combining bottom fermentation with Pilsen’s soft water, pale malt, and Saaz hops. His hiring was therefore the direct personnel link between Bavarian lager-brewing practice and the birth of the original pale lager from Pilsen.