The beer history of Bohemia begins at the end of the 11th century. Czech hops have always been considered a product of the highest quality, therefore they were massively exported to other countries and served at the tables of the nobility. In the Czech Republic, beer of different density, strength, and variety is produced, and it is believed that the best beer is fresh beer. To taste Czech beer, it is not enough to purchase a bottled drink. It is necessary to visit the best beer places in the Czech Republic and form your own impression of the quality of Czech beer.
History of Czech brewing
The culture of brewing in the Czech Republic originated around the 2nd century BC. NS. in the era of the Celtic tribes. The first written mention of this drink dates back to the beginning of the 10th century and is associated with the name of Prince Břetislav, who wrote out a dedication for several bags of hops for the monks. During this period, beer was brewed in almost every household. Laws governing the production and consumption of alcoholic beverages were passed two centuries later.
Large breweries were built in the Czech Republic at the beginning of the 15th century.
Another 200 years later, a master brewer named Andrzej Pope founded the world's first brewing school. The 1840s are considered the main stage in the development of this craft. A well-known brewer from Bavaria, who has been working on a new type of beer for a long time, presented to the general public "Pilsner" - the legendary Czech alcohol that has received worldwide recognition.
The First and Second World Wars led to the destruction and decline of the Czech brewing industry. Only in the early 50s of the last century, the craft moved to a new stage of development - the destroyed breweries were reconstructed. Modern brewing methods were never introduced, which kept the legendary quality of this product.
The beginning of the XXI century was marked by the transition of some enterprises to the brewing of “fast” cheap beer, which markedly distinguished the brand “Bacalar”. The products of these breweries have lost their prestige and loyalty to standards.
Popular Czech breweries
Among the colossal multitude of Czech pubs, there are places with a special quality of products and a long history. It is here that you can enjoy the traditionally good taste of a hoppy drink, taste the legendary beer of the monks and feel the atmosphere of an old Prague beer house. Prague's brewing culture is best represented by such breweries.
Strahov Brewery
The history of this brewery goes back more than four centuries. In the 1630s, the Strahov Monastery in Prague opened its own brewery. The drink was supposed to help the monks adhere to the diet during periods of fasting and maintain their strength. The brewing workshop worked from the opening until the beginning of the 20th century. Then the brewing complex did not work for 100 years and reopened only after a major reconstruction in the 2000s.
The Strahov brewer has its own brasserie serving a freshly brewed drink every day. The staff is fluent in Czech, Russian, English and German, the menu is also multilingual.
The Strahov brewery serves beers depending on the season: wheat beers are brewed at Easter, and half-dark Christmas beers at Christmas.
Dark unfiltered and amber drinks can be tasted at any time of the year.
Prices in this establishment are relatively high, but the uniqueness of the drinks served here justifies the money spent. One glass of beer is priced at 59 CZK regardless of the type. It also serves vegetarian and meat snacks for drinks - fried cheese, goulash and beef tenderloin.
Chodovar
Chodovar has been open to the public since the 16th century. This is a noble family brewery that was destroyed by fire in the 1770s and then rebuilt in accordance with all traditions. The layout of this building, the cellars carved into the rock, and the heraldry on the walls have survived to this day. The address of the pub also did not change: Chodova Plana, st. Pivovarskaya, 107.
Chodovar bottled not only beer of his own production, but also mineral water, which springs from the key found during the construction of the brewery.
This enterprise independently produces malt (up to 2 thousand liters per year). In total, Chodovar produces seven varieties of hop drink, and also offers malt-based cosmetics.
In 2021, a huge beer resort was opened here, where you can take part in beer festivals, see beer fountains and pools, and observe the technology of the production of a hoppy drink.
Eggenberg Brewery
The brewery is located in Cesky Krumlov and is the same age as this city - Eggenberg was built in the 1560s. During construction, a spring was found here gushing out of the ground, the water from which is still used in the technological process.
For centuries, production was run by two noble families - the Rosenbergs and the Schwarzenbergs. Immediately after the end of World War II, the brewery became the property of the government.
The modernization of the enterprise in the 90s of the last century was beneficial. The quality of the products has increased significantly, it has become famous in the world market.
In total Eggenberg produces nine beers, two of which are festive - for Easter and Christmas. You can buy the plant's products only in Krumlov: beer sold in supermarkets in other cities and countries is rarely original. The official website of the brewery: eggenberg.cz.
Pilsen Brewery
Pilsen Brewery, also known as Prazdroj Brewery, was founded in the 13th century by order of the Czech king Wenceslas. Quality control in those days was strict, and batches of poorly brewed drink were exponentially drained into the city sewers.
The middle of the 19th century for the brewery was marked by the release of a new beer called Pilsner. It was this draft drink that laid a new foundation for all Czech brewing.
Tourists are offered a detailed tour of the brewhouses, bottling shops, and the basements of the Pilsen brewery, the total length of which is more than 7 km.
The tour is accompanied by a tasting of fresh hops from wooden barrels in the cellars where beer is brewed. Also, visitors can buy souvenirs and a bottle of different sorts of drink in the shops at the plant.
Bernard Brewery
Let's lie to a young company whose history began in the 1990s. Bernard is housed in an old privately owned brewery from the mid-16th century to the early 20th century.
Then, for 80 years, this company brewed a drink for regional needs, and was privatized when it was on the verge of bankruptcy. The new owners modernized the equipment of the shops and raised the quality of the drink to the national level.
As of 2021, Bernard Brewery exports products to more than 15 countries around the world and offers seven beers, which vary in strength and variety.
The drink is brewed in copper vats, matured for a month in wooden barrels, and only then bottled. Tourists can visit this facility during a guided tour and purchase souvenirs and packaged beer in local shops. The cost of one 0.5 liter bottle is around 30 CZK.
Brewery "At Three Roses"
The brewery is located on Husova Street in the old part of Prague, not far from Charles Bridge. The building of the brewery was built at the beginning of the 15th century and is included in the register of architectural monuments protected by the state. The laconically designed three-storey building accommodates a banquet hall and halls for visiting, and the cellars are filled with technological equipment and vats for fermenting live beer.
Three Roses produces six varieties of intoxicating drink: dark, light, lager, red, monastic and American Weiss. The brewery's kitchen is located in the attic, where snacks and hot meals are prepared for guests, as well as preparations for banquets. It is recommended to book a table for a lunch break 24 hours in advance - there may not be enough seats.
Beer tourism in the Czech Republic
Drinks in the Czech Republic are an independent object of tourism. To experience all the uniqueness of Czech brewing, beer drink lovers purchase tours around the country lasting from three to seven days.
The standard program includes a sightseeing tour of the capital followed by a walking tour of the most famous restaurants and beer bars in Prague.
Karlovy Vary and the Strahov Monastery with its oldest brewery must be visited without fail.
Beer baths are popular entertainment, accompanied by unlimited beer consumption and relaxing massages. The average cost of a spa treatment is € 65 per person and € 100 for two people in the same bath. Baths are often filled with Czech Inn and Kozel beer. Also during the program, an absinthe bar is visited, the only similar institution in Prague, ethno parties and educational excursions to castles and ancient factories are offered.
Czech beer restaurants
To appreciate the legendary drink and discover what makes Czech cuisine so good, take a food tour of Czech beer restaurants. One of the best restaurants is "Fleck's". Here you should try thick sweet beer with the taste of burnt caramel, similar to the dark "Zlata Prague", dumplings in sweet and sour sauce and lamb shank.
Also, be sure to visit the restaurants "At St. Thomas" and "At the Black Ox" - places that have preserved the atmosphere of old Prague.
Peklo is the only pub in the city serving a blueberry variety.
Luciano Pavarotti, Bill Clinton and practically all the presidents of the Czech Republic have visited the restaurant “At the Golden Tiger” at different times. Here they offer the most unusual sorts of beer, as well as in the "Pivovarsky Dom" with an old interior. To make it not only tasty, but also satisfying, order a duck leg, meat goulash and fried cheese.
Czech beer varieties
Some Czech beers, such as monastery beer, have become legendary, and their names have taken on a common noun. So, Pilsner Urquell - one of the varieties that determined the direction of development of Czech brewing, belongs to honey lagers. In Moscow, you can taste it at the Cheshsky Dvorik restaurant.
"Velkopopovitsky goat" is produced in four subspecies, has a characteristic bitter aftertaste, and the regional holiday "Day of the Goat" is dedicated to it.
Staropramen with a malt aroma, Budweiser containing a large amount of alcohol, caramel Krusovice, which is similar to the Czech Svatek, have been brewed from special well water for more than a century.
"St. Norbert" is a hoppy drink with a rich history and sweetish taste, "Bernard" is the youngest representative of Czech beer of the highest category.
The best Czech beer brands
Many Czech brands of beer are appreciated by visitors and local gourmets for their consistently high quality and unique taste. Among Czechs, the best is Ferdinand, which produces light, semi-dark and dark varieties, as well as non-alcoholic products. Prices range from 30 to 50 CZK per bottle.
This price and rating category also includes Velvet, which has a soft texture and creamy foam caps. Its assortment is expanding with special holiday varieties.
Beloved by Czechs, Gambrinus has been produced in Pilsen since the middle of the 19th century. The company produces classic, seasoned, original varieties, all of which are light and white craft varieties. Prices for a 0.5 liter bottle range from 35 to 45 CZK. Gambrinus is exported to other regions as it keeps well.
The Czech Hedgehog has been produced since the 14th century and is loved by both tourists and locals. The brand was originally supplied exclusively to the Czech nobility and was released for export (the Russian analogue is "Czech Lion"). Since the 17th century, it has been bottled domestically, prices fluctuate around 40 CZK per 0.5 liter bottle.
Basically, the brand produces light beer according to old recipes and produces it with a low amount of sugar. The Hedgehog rating is high - many Czechs use it every day.
Pernstein, originally from Pardubice, is represented not only by alcoholic drinks, but also by lemonades.
The Russian analogue of his lagers is considered to be Czech Jbanek. The company produces light, dark and very dark beer, light lager of various strengths and fruit beer drinks. "Parnstein" is popular among local residents; it is practically not exported to other countries, since it loses its taste properties during long-term storage. The cost is kept within 30 CZK per mug.
Templar beer is brewed in the only brewery in the country, which is owned not by an individual, but by the municipality. A small enterprise produces varieties that compete in quality with larger producers: light, dark, non-alcoholic, special light. The brand is highly regarded by tourists who come to Nova Paka for a tasting. The prices are affordable: the classic light variety is sold at 25 CZK per 0.5 liter.
Conclusion
The history of Czech beer culture goes back to the 13th-14th centuries. Brewing is one of the main crafts of the country, which gives the world high quality beer products. In the Czech Republic, beer tourism is developed, which brings the country a significant income and allows people from different countries to taste unique intoxicating drinks brewed according to old recipes.
