CzechWorld champions in beer drinking: 140 litres per person per year (data 2024). Beering has a 1,000-year history here, andPilzne type lager— the world’s most popular beer style — was born here in 1842.
History in Brief
The first mention of beer in the Czech Republic dates from 993 (Klashtor Břevnovský). The real revolution took place on 5 October 1842 in Pilzno when Bavarian arperelnikJosef Grollpresented the golden, claried lager of the bottom fermentation —Pilsner Urquell. It was the first light beer in Europe (previously they were all dark).
Big Three — The Beers You Must Try
1. Pilsner Urquell (Plzeň)
Original from 1842, 4.4% alcohol, hops Saaz. It's only brewed in the Bath with local soft water.Beer tour(300 Kč, 90 min) includes historical cellars, where you can taste unpasteurized beer straight from the wooden barrel — taste incomparable with bottled.
2. Budweiser Budvar (České Budějovice)
Grown since 1895. More sweet than Pilsner, deeper malt.NOTE:There is a dispute with the American Budweiser (Anheuser-Busch) — in the EU it has the right to name ‘Budweiser’ only Czech Budvar. Tour of the brewery 200 Kč.
3. Staropramen (Prague)
Prague classic since 1869, 5%. Modern breweries in Smíchov. The most exclusive version:Staropramen Nefiltovaný— cloudy, fresh.
Historical mini-brewery of Prague
U Fleků (since 1499)
The oldest active mini-broker of Central Europe. They only have one beer:Flekovský tmavý ležák 13°— dark, almost chocolate, 5.5%. Big accordion room. Price 65 Kč/0.4 l. Tourist, but legend.
Novoměstský pivovar
Restaurant-broker in the center, vegetableNovoměstské pivo(clear and dark). A menu with traditional dishes. 55–70 Kč/0.5 l.
Klášterní Pivovar Strahov
Brewery in the Premonstratens monastery (since 1400, resumed 2000). Wheat beerSv. Norbert Weissbier— only in Prague of a German character.
Beer Culture — How to Order Like Czech
- ‘One pivo prosím’ = 0,5 l lagera (default)
- ‘Malý pivo’ = 0,3 l (rarely ordered, is a ‘female’ beer)
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- ‘Nefilterované/kvasnicové’ = unfiltered, cloudy, more vitamins
- Don't knock your cup ON THE FIRST ROUND — it's only at “Na zdraví!”
Trivia
- Beer Prohibition:In 2012 the Czech Republic announced an alcohol Prohibition for 20 days (contaminated rum), beer only briefly — it was a national disaster
- Flavour beer:‘Kozel Řezaný’, ‘Radegast Ryze Hořká’ (strongly hop)
- Seasonal:‘Velikonoční speciál’ (Easter), ‘Vánoční speciál’ (Christmas 15-17°)
- Non-alcoholic beer:"Berell" (Radegast), "Pilsner Urquell Nealko" — Very Good
Beer tours
Sleep (1 day):train from Prague 90 min, 190 Kč. Visiting the brewery + dinner in Na Spilka.
České Budějovice (1 day):Budvar + a walk through the medieval market (the largest rectangular market in Europe).
Ostrava (2 days):Radegast brewery in Nošovicy + industrial Dolní Vítkovice.