Czechia
Ownership: Asahi Group (Japan) — brewed in Pilsen, Czechia
Known for: The original lager. Every pale, golden, bottom-fermented beer in the world traces its lineage here.
History: On 5 October 1842, in the Bohemian city of Pilsen, a Bavarian brewer named Josef Groll produced the world's first clear, golden, bottom-fermented lager. Before this moment, all beer was dark. Pilsner Urquell — Urquell meaning "original source" — didn't just launch a brand; it launched the most copied beer style in human history. Still brewed in the original Pilsen brewery.