Unpasteurised beer – taste that stays alive
Living beer
What does “unpasteurised beer” mean?
After brewing and secondary fermentation, unpasteurised beer undergoes no heat treatment. It retains its natural yeast environment and a fuller flavour profile.
Pasteurisation is a short heating of the beer that prolongs its shelf life. It is common at large breweries because it allows distribution across the country and abroad. For smaller breweries, a different approach often makes sense: freshness instead of a long shelf life.
Unpasteurised beer is more “alive”. And you can taste it.
How it differs from pasteurised beer
Heat treatment
Pasteurised: briefly heated
Unpasteurised: no heat treatment, stays alive
Taste
Pasteurised: stable, milder
Unpasteurised: fuller, fresher, more pronounced
Shelf life
Pasteurised: longer
Unpasteurised: shorter, meant to be enjoyed fresh
Character
Pasteurised: consistent
Unpasteurised: more authentic, natural
Unpasteurised beer retains delicate aromatic notes and natural complexity. Pasteurisation can slightly dampen some nuances – it is a compromise between stability and intensity of flavour.
Why unpasteurised beer makes sense
Because beer is above all about taste and experience. When it is not stressed by heat, its profile stays as the brewmaster intended. Malt, hops, yeast – everything is in balance, without being “smoothed out” by high temperatures.
For lovers of authentic taste
For fresh consumption
For restaurants and pubs
For local distribution
It is a beer with character. It is not sterile. It is not uniform. It is real.
Does unpasteurised beer have a shorter shelf life?
Yes – and that is natural. Properly stored, it keeps its quality; it is just not meant for months of travelling across half of Europe. Just follow three rules:
- 1
Store it cold
Cold helps the beer stay fresh.
- 2
Protect it from light
Do not expose it to light.
- 3
Drink it fresh
Unpasteurised beer tastes best while it is fresh.
The exception is our cans: for longer shelf life, they are gently pasteurised.
Taste living beer from Pelhřimov
Unpasteurised Poutník is available in the brewery shop.