You’ve probably noticed that the people pouring Pilsner Urquell at our Tankovna bars and pubs around the world all wear the same leather apron. These are Tapsters, and they are very important to us. 

We recruit Tapsters and train them for five days at our brewery in Plzeň. It’s a lot of work, but we do it because the Tapster’s pour protects the flavour of our golden lager. That’s why we say ‘the Brewmaster brews the beer, but the Tapster makes the beer’.

Tapsters make sure that every Pilsner Urquell you order tastes perfect. Here’s how they do it:

1. Tapsters are trained to pour Pilsner Urquell perfectly

While training at our brewery in Plzeň, Tapsters work closely with local experts to learn the proper technique for pouring Hladinkas, Šnyts and Mlíkos on command. Every beer a Tapster serves should be perfect

2. Tapsters know how to keep our beer fresh

Pilsner Urquell is sensitive, especially the unpasteurised golden lager at our Tankovna bars. But even when pouring from the keg, Tapsters know exactly how to keep all the taps and pipes in top condition, so our golden lager always tastes great. 

3. Tapsters serve the most demanding štamgasts in the world

All of our Tapsters work shifts at the oldest Tankovna bars in Plzeň, the birthplace of Pilsner Urquell. Local štamgasts won’t hesitate to send back a beer that doesn’t meet their exacting standards. Tough times for the Tapsters, but an invaluable learning experience too!

4. Tapsters know about all kinds of beer

A Tapster who only knows about Pilsner Urquell would be like a barista who only knows about one kind of coffee. Tapsters learn all about beer and brewing during training, so they become experts in the culture. They love serving beer and they love drinking it too, just like their štamgasts. 

Tapsters are always willing to go the extra mile to serve you the best, freshest Pilsner Urquell on the planet. Many of them even come to the Czech Republic to pick Saaz hops in the summer and get hands-on brewing experience. So you don’t have to travel all the way to Plzeň to taste a perfect Pilsner Urquell, just visit your local pub or Tankovna bar!