Bellingham's Aslan Brewing is really a stickler for style guidelines. This, of course, has lead them down the path of producing one of the more authentic homages to the traditional Czech-style Pilsners.

Chances are pretty high that you've enjoyed a Pilsner Urquell at a bar, a dorm-room party, or while strolling the streets of Pilsen. Wherever you had your first or one of many, you no doubt recall that distinctive flavor, that memorable aroma, and that iconic bottle. But did you know Pilsner Urquell is the only brewery with the word Pilsner in their name? Leave it to the brewers at Aslan Brewing Company to set the record straight.

In the Czech Republic golden lager is not called Pilsner, unless it’s THE Pilsner. That being Pilsner Urquell. All others are referred to as Svetly Lezak (say it: SaVET-lee LEH-jhack) with a number 10-12 telling you how strong the beer is. The rest of the world has done a fine job of diluting the word "Pilsner", or Pilsener if it’s German.

After a recent trip to the Czech Republic and more importantly, Pilsner Urquell, a discussion on brewing a nearly-regional Pilsner was born. Well more like a Svetly Lezak, since technically only the original Pilsner can use that name. Aslan, of course, is up to the challenge of not only brewing a beer that respects the German Purity Law but uses truly-authentic ingredients.

The mash consisted of a single heirloom variety of Moravian malt (no caramel malt), was triple decocted, and zero modifications were made to the brewing water. We used only Saaz hops at a rate of 1.5 lbs per barrel of wort in the kettle. Fermentation was carried out from 5° C up to 8° C for 8 days, then the beer was transferred into its lagering tank at cellar temperatures where it rested for a full 90 days. There is specifically and very intentionally a small amount of diacetyl present in this beer. This is a result due to the strict adherence to Czech lager brewing. There are quite literally only four ingredients in this beer, Moravian malt, Saaz hops, water, and yeast. Now that we dropped a small history lesson, sit back and enjoy a most authentic golden lager - Na Zdraví!

It starts with sourcing truly Czech ingredients with only one hitch, no organic ingredients. That's right, despite the acquisition of Czech hops and Czech malt, only the hops were USDA Certified Organic. Which means this marks the most recent instance which the brewery cannot release a truly-organic beer. Regardless of this, the brewery and the brewers of Aslan Brewing invite you to stop by their taproom and try a truly authentic homage to the original Pilsner.

Aslan Brewing Company is located at 1330 N Forest St, Bellingham, WA 98225. For more information, visit https://aslanbrewing.com/ which includes hours, current releases and their second location Aslan Depot.