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Which beers sold as foreign are brewed in Britain, and what to buy instead

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Work in progress. We are still reading cans and settling where listings disagree. Seen a beer whose small print contradicts its label? Tell us.

Where is Pilsner Urquell brewed?

Genuine import Verified Last checked 5 September 2026

Pilsner Urquell is genuinely imported from the Czech Republic, at the same strength as at home.

Listed by Ocado when last checked. The product pages are among the sources below.

4.4%
UK
4.4%
Czech Republic
The UK version matches the strength sold in the Czech Republic.

Every beer on the shelf by strength

Brewed for the UK in
Imported from Czech Republic
Imported
Sold as a beer from
Czech Republic
Original 1842 Plzen pilsner heritage, Czech name and imagery
Brewed in (country)
Czech Republic
Brand owner
Asahi Group Holdings (Plzensky Prazdroj)
HQ: Japan
UK strength
4.4%
Strength at home (Czech Republic)
4.4%
Same 4.4% in the UK and the Czech Republic
What the UK label says
“Country of origin: Czech Republic. 'Plzensky Prazdroj, A.S., U Prazdroje 64/7, Vychodni Predmesti, 301 00 Plzen, Czech Republic.'”
Source: ocado.com
More about the brand: rights, style, when it was created, where it is brewed at home
UK rights held by
Asahi UK Ltd (owned)
Style
Czech pale lager (pilsner)
Brand created
1842, Czech Republic (Bohemia)
Brewed at home in
Plzen, Czech Republic

In short

Pilsner Urquell is the real thing on origin: the beer in UK shops is brewed at Plzen in the Czech Republic. It is also the same strength as at home, 4.4%. The brand belongs to Asahi Group Holdings (Plzensky Prazdroj). The label says: "Country of origin: Czech Republic. 'Plzensky Prazdroj, A.S., U Prazdroje 64/7, Vychodni Predmesti, 301 00 Plzen, Czech Republic.'."

Who has brewed it here

YearsBrewerSiteSource
Dates not establishedNone. Always imported from Plzen.Plzen, Czech Republicocado.com

Questions people ask

Where is Pilsner Urquell brewed?

The UK product is imported. It is brewed at Plzen in the Czech Republic.

Is Pilsner Urquell brewed in the UK?

No. The UK product is brewed in the Czech Republic.

Is Pilsner Urquell really Czech?

Yes, on origin: the UK product is brewed in the Czech Republic.

Who owns Pilsner Urquell?

Pilsner Urquell is owned by Asahi Group Holdings (Plzensky Prazdroj), headquartered in Japan. In the UK the brand is handled by Asahi UK Ltd.

What strength is Pilsner Urquell in the UK?

Pilsner Urquell is 4.4% ABV in the UK. In the Czech Republic it is 4.4%.

Is Pilsner Urquell weaker in the UK than in the Czech Republic?

No. It is 4.4% in both the UK and the Czech Republic.

See also

Budweiser Budvar Original
Imported from Czech Republic · 5.0% · sold as Czech
Genuine import Verified
Kozel Lezak
Imported from Czech Republic · sold as Czech
Partly verified
Pravha
Burton upon Trent · 4.0% · sold as Czech
Brewed here Verified
Staropramen Premium Czech Lager
Burton upon Trent · 5.0% · sold as Czech
Brewed here Verified

Every beer sold as Czech Republic · Every brand owned by Asahi Group Holdings

Sources

  1. Ocado (ocado.com), 5 September 2026: UK ABV 4.4%, country of origin Czech Republic, producer address Plzensky Prazdroj, Plzen
  2. Asahi Europe & International (asahiinternational.com), 5 September 2026: Plzensky Prazdroj is an Asahi Europe brewery
  3. second research pass (petebrown.net): cited by second research pass
  4. second research pass (thegrocer.co.uk): cited by second research pass
  5. second research pass (asahiinternational.com): cited by second research pass

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