What is a Czech Pilsner? Taste, History & The White Bay Take.
Few beers carry the same legacy as the Czech Pilsner. Born in the Bohemian city of Plzeň in the 1840s, this crisp, golden lager changed the beer world forever - setting the benchmark for clarity, balance, and drinkability.
Today, it’s a style that continues to inspire brewers around the globe - and at White Bay Brewery, it’s one we’ve made our own.
The Original Golden Lager
The Czech (or Bohemian) Pilsner was the world’s first clear, golden beer. Brewed with soft water, pale malts, and Saaz hops, it delivered a balance of delicate sweetness and floral bitterness that was unlike anything before it. The style quickly spread across Europe and became the blueprint for countless lagers that followed.
Unlike some modern versions, the Czech original remains unhurried and precise - cold-conditioned, naturally carbonated, and brewed for flavour rather than speed.
Our Take: Pils - The White Bay Czech Pilsner
At White Bay Brewery, we brew our Czech Pilsner with the same respect for process and detail that defines the great Bohemian lagers. Using Weyermann Bohemian Floor-Malted Pilsner Malt and Saaz hops, it’s a crisp, clean beer with a soft malt base and that unmistakable noble hop aroma.
The result? A beer that’s perfectly balanced - refreshing enough for a warm Sydney afternoon, yet refined enough to pair with food or savour on its own.
It’s also a Gold Medal winner at the 2025 Australian International Beer Awards, confirming what our regulars already knew: tradition and precision never go out of style.
A Taste of Rozelle Craftsmanship
While we no longer brew from the White Bay Power Station, our roots on Sydney’s Balmain Peninsula still shape everything we make. The White Bay Czech Pilsner embodies that mix of heritage and craftsmanship - a classic European style with the care and precision of a Sydney craft brewery.
Every pour is a nod to the beers that built White Bay and the community that keeps us brewing.
Tasting Notes
- Appearance: Bright gold with a dense, lasting head.
- Aroma: Floral, herbal Saaz hop perfume with light biscuit malt notes.
- Flavour: Clean and balanced; subtle malt sweetness gives way to a crisp, refreshing bitterness.
- Finish: Smooth, dry, and moreish.
Perfect Pairings
Czech Pilsner’s balanced profile makes it a natural match for seafood, schnitzel, roast chicken, or classic pub fare. It’s equally good on its own - cold, crisp, and fresh from the fridge.
Where to Find It
You can buy Czech Pilsner online in Australia through our online store or find it on tap at selected venues across Sydney and beyond.
Want to explore more of our lagers? Check out our Core Range or Build Your Own Mixed Pack to sample the best of White Bay.