Lukáš Svoboda has won the title of Pilsner Urquell International Master Bartender 2010 during a highly-competitive week-long final in the Czech Republic. Lukáš, who owns Konvikt, a pub in Prague, claimed victory against an impressive group of finalists representing 16 other countries.

Now in its fifth year, the International Master Bartender competition has reached new heights, with 4,000 bartenders from 17 countries competing for the coveted title. The competition returned to its roots this year when bartenders travelled to the beer’s birthplace in Pilsen for testing, before transferring to the vibrant Czech capital of Prague for the awards ceremony. Lukáš claimed his prize at a gala awards ceremony in the spectacular surroundings of the Žofín Palace in the heart of the historic city.
 
As the world’s first and original Pilsner and inspiration for many of the world’s beers today, Pilsner Urquell has a pure and distinctive taste that requires a distinctive pouring technique. This technique was a core component of the rigorous testing where the final stage saw the bartenders placed in front of a panel of beer experts for intensive interviews, before sitting an arduous written exam in the heart of the brewery in Pilsen.

Lukáš, a previous participant in the first year of the competition, is the first Czech winner of the coveted title and he is more than thrilled to take home the international title in his hometown: “I can’t begin to express how amazing winning this title is for me. All the bartenders here have so much passion and have worked so hard to get here. I can’t wait to spread the inspiring legends of Pilsner Urquell across the globe.”

Second and third place went to Steffen Zimmermann from Germany and Efraim De Paepe from Belgium who both gave sterling performances demonstrating in-depth knowledge of the brewing techniques that are unique to Pilsner Urquell and masterfully displaying the art of the perfect pour.   

Petr Dvorak, Global Brand Director for Pilsner Urquell, said: “The pure Pilsner from Pilsen deserves to be handled and served with care and dedication and all our bartenders have excelled themselves on that front. Each year, we are pleasantly surprised by the standards we see and remain committed to ensuring this professionalism is given the necessary rewards.”

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors:-

Pilsner Urquell
Pilsner Urquell is the original Pilsner, created in 1842. Pilsner Urquell means ‘pilsner from the original source’ and today is still brewed according to the original recipe, with the same quality ingredients and innovative process as was used back in 1842. Its distinctive, full-bodied taste is different from all others, with a fine balance of sweetness and bitterness. Pilsner Urquell is the flagship brand of SABMiller’s international brand portfolio and is a contender in the premium status segment of the market.

For images or further information please contact:
Allison Lawrence at Gabrielle Shaw Communications
E: allison@gabrielleshaw.com T: +44 207 731 8811