What do you think of when you imagine the Czech Republic?

I see images of beautiful people, everywhere. Drinking from fountains in the street. Throwing bails of hay into wagons pulled by tractors (shirtless, obviously). Drinking beer on patios. I think this is due to the Czech Republic having produced so many supermodels. This country has blessed us with some of the most gorgeous women to ever walk a runway, from 80s swimsuit icon Paulina Porizkova to 90s glamazons Eva Herzigova (of “Hello Boys!” fame) and Daniela Pestova, to tsunami victim and Sports Illustrated covergirl Petra Nemcova, to modern-day supermodel (and personal favourite of mine) Karolina Kurkova. You may not even know who any of these women are (shame on you!), but I’d wager that you probably assume that people from this country are beautiful.

Another image springs to mind when I think of the Czech Republic. And that is a clear picture of overflowing glasses of crisp, clean, bright beer. Did you know that the Czech Republic is the original home of the Pilsner style of beer? It is named as such, due to its being created in the town of Plzen in the year 1842. And the first brewery to make such a beer is still producing it today. That would be Pilsner Urquell. First and greatest? Let us taste and see…

The beer pours crystal clear, the colour of just underripe mangoes. Fluffy white head disappears quickly, leaving nice lacing on the glass. On the nose, I’m getting everything I’d expect from a pilsner (which is good, considering this beer invented the style); aromas of hay, biscuit, honey and a speck of black pepper. First sip, the Pilsner Urquell comes on smooth and soft, nice flavours of toasted sourdough bread and perhaps some green apple. That is very quickly replaced with a punch of hoppy bitterness – more than I expected, to be honest – and an ultra-crisp, dry finish. This is an exquisite thirst-quencher of a beer.

So, now I have a new image of the Czech Republic, and in said image I’m front and center. Sat on a terrace in a romantic old city like Prague, hot summer day, sunshine on my face. There are beautiful people all around me, but I don’t even really notice them, because I’m focused on the glass in my hand, icy cold and wetting my palm with condensation. I lift the Pilsner Urquell to my lips and take a huge gulp. Refreshing doesn’t even begin to describe it. Heavenly comes close.