Ingredients for the Czech brewing . If something is known the city of Pilsen in the world is definitely his beer , the most emblematic of a country already with great brewing tradition . The factory which produces the original Pilsen beer offers visitors a walk through the ancient but modern facilities and history of those flavors fresh and slightly bitter, with malt and hops smell . Some might think even that Pilsen is only one type of beer and not have learned of the existence of a town by that name in western Bohemia. A mid-nineteenth century , was born in Pilsen , located 90 kilometers southwest of Prague , the beer that was destined to become one of the most famous Czech symbols for the rest of the world . Something certainly paradoxical, if we think that the creation of the brewery had to do with the usual poor quality Pilsen beer during the first half of that century. Pilsen in the nineteenth century In 1838 the city had 289 households with permission to brew , starting with the City Council . The producers were well-off , and were both Czechs and Germans. They had a small production , but were grouped in a kind of cooperative . The truth is that the procedure followed was not ideal , and to save money or the temperature or the ingredients were often adequate . But the story would change from the year 1838, as has our guide for the Pilsner Urquell brewery , Monika Contrerasová . Josef Groll ( painting ) and Monika Contrerasová "This year Pilsen citizens with the right to brew beer together decided to build a brewery. In February of 1838 from the City of Pilsen had to be poured 36 barrels of beer that was not drinkable . They decided to save the good name of his beer this brewery building . " The first beer in the newly built factory occurred on October 5, 1842 , by the brewmaster Josef Groll , from neighboring German region of Bavaria, whose beer is famous throughout the world . Despite being regarded as a parent for Pilsner Urquell , the truth is that Groll , after a few years in the factory was not renewed the contract. He drank too much , they say, was stubborn , rough and rude ways . The water distribution tower But the beer began to sell very well. The economic boom of the late nineteenth century can be seen in beautiful buildings such as the main gate of the factory, sandstone , held in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the brewery. Also in the water distribution tower , built in 1907, and apparently , is a copy of a Dutch lighthouse . The memories of how it worked once the beer business are present along the entire route . Such as a train, where the wagons carrying beer before there coolers. With that train is carrying beer Contrerasová Monika explains the system that was to keep the beer at the required temperature in both summer and winter. " With this train is carrying beer. The interesting thing is that it has double walls . In winter , the inner walls were filled with hot blocks so as not to cool the beer, and in summer , with ice, so it will not spoil . "