Did you know that the best beer is made in the most godless country in the world? Three-quarters of the population do not believe in any god, and the favorite Pilsner Urquell is made here – welcome to Bohemia! If you are drinking Pilsner in any part of the world right now, know that it is of the same lineage as this world's first pale lager, the beer that has been made in the town of Pilsen since 1842. I have not seen god, but I agree on this one with Bill Clinton, the most famous Pilsner Urquell fan.
An old proverb says, "Where beer is brewed, life is good."
If you think that the Czech Republic is all about spiking gothic architecture, rich historical heritage, and amazing nature, you are definitely missing a lot about this incredible country, which has recently been awarded as one of the best places to visit in Europe.
The Czech Republic is a real-life fairy tale, and with its incredible castles and villages, you will feel like you just stepped into a movie.
The Czech Republic is a country where beer and wine are considered a national treasure, and it is not a secret that beating out Germany, Ireland, and Belgium, the country drinks on average about 161 liters of beer per person each year, which makes the Czech Republic the country with the highest beer consumption per capita in the world.
The Czechs have been brewing beer since 993 when a law was enacted by Duke Wenceslas to ensure the safety and quality of the golden liquid. The Czechs quickly became famous for their beer sand breweries were established in over 50 cities across the country, including Prague. In fact, it is estimated that there are currently more than 450 breweries in operation throughout the republic.
Czech beer is a very important part of the culture and identity, and Czechs are incredibly proud of their beer, and they surely don't take it lightly! Here’s a shortlist of the most famous types of beer in the Czech Republic.
PILSNER
This type of Czech beer is the most popular one, named after the city of Plzen in the west of the country. It has a light flavor with a sweet caramel aftertaste. With its taste of bread dough or toast and it's often served in pubs that have an excellent reputation for their plates. There are many breweries that make this type of beer, so you can find it all around Prague. But some breweries are more famous than others, such as Pilsner Urquell, Gambrinus, Krušovice, or Bernard.
LAGER
The lager beer is one of the most popular types of beer in the world and is named after the German word "lager," which literally means storage. Lager beer lovers will enjoy its very pale-to-golden color with a well-attenuated body and a varying degree of noble hop bitterness.
ALDERS
This light, refreshing beer is made from natural ingredients, using a process that has been passed down through generations. The result is a delicately balanced beer with hints of fruit and floral aromas.
BASS
This crisp lager offers a clean finish and an authentic Czech taste with just the right amount of bitterness and hoppiness for those who prefer a slightly stronger flavor profile. Bass was founded in 1884 by Thomas& James Bassett, who believed that beer is best enjoyed with good food and friends. And we can’t agree more!
The truth is that there are plenty of other tasty traditional beers in the Czech Republic, and if you want to try them all, you only need to head to the BeerGeek Bar, which has two taps and over 500 varieties of bottled beer.
Love beer? Do it right! The Czech Republic is all about pouring beer properly, and, surprisingly, foam is a big deal for Czechs. There are basically three ways to order your golden elixir at the bar: hladinka, šnyt, and mlíko.
The standard pour, the hladinka, has three fingers of foam on top of the glass. This thick and dense foam gives the beer a perfect balance of sweetness and bitterness. Crisp, refreshing, and delicately bitter, the Hladinka pairs perfectly with rich foods like duck.
If you're not up to a full glass, you can order a šnyt, meaning two parts beer, three parts foam, and one part empty space at the top of the glass. Make sure you order some goulash or a good old burger. They both will crown your drinking experience!
The third option is the creamy mlíko, a glass full of dense foam with a tiny bit of foam at the bottom. Mlíko beers are typically drunk at the end of the night as the sweet flavor is said to give that boost of joy necessary to make it back home responsibly.
STRAHOV MONASTERY BREWERY
The Strahov Monastery Brewery is a must for all beer lovers! The Czech brewery was established in 1140 and had been brewing beer since then. The brewery's history dates back to 1265 when it was given as a gift by King Ottokar II to Benedictine monks. They started brewing beer at the monastery for the royal court and visitors to Prague.
The first written record about brewing occurred in 1363 when Emperor Charles IV issued a decree that allowed them to brew beer for sale, which led to an increase in the production of quality beers for export as well as for local consumption. Make sure you don't miss the St. Norbert – amber, dark, IPA, seasonal beers (a favorite being the St. Norbert Three-kings wheat special).
THE ZÁBŘEH CHATEAU
The castle is a beer-infused fairytale built in the 16th century. The Pikard signature beer has been flowing ever since, and it is crafted according to traditional techniques handed down for generations. But what is incredible about this castle is that you can have a beer-themed spa time and soak in baths steeped with brewing grains.
BREVNOV MONASTERY BREWERY
The Benedictine monastery in Břevnov, Czech Republic, is the first and oldest monastery of its kind in Bohemia. It also has the longest history of beer brewing in the country - up to today, they are still brewing at their own brewery.
U MEDVÍDKŮ BREWERY
This small brewery and restaurant are known for its traditional Czech dishes and proudly serve the country's strongest beer. They also offer an impressive selection of desserts, including beer ice cream!
U JELINKU
A true Pilsner Urquell lover's dream, this is a small pub located in the heart of Prague. It can get crowded at times, and people often have to stand, but that just means more friendly locals to meet!
BUKOWSKI BAR
Great Place to Get a top-notch beer, this dive bar pays homage to the Poet and writer Charles Bukowski and aims to be both dingy and atmospheric.
U ZLATEHO TYGRA
This old-town bar has seen writers, intellectuals, and politicians sharing some pints of pilsner. It's now more popular with tourists, but it's one of the best bars in Prague where everyone needs to have a drink at least once in their life.
CRAFT BEER SPOT
This new bar has a rising focus on the Czech Republic’s microbreweries while still holding some international brews. Not the right place for a traditional pilsner, but there are plenty of opportunities to taste the future of Czech brewing!
In Prague, beer is cheaper than bottled water.
When it comes to the Czech Republic, beer is remarkably affordable, and it’s even cheaper than bottled water. The government once tried to impose a law that required bars to have at least one non-alcoholic option cheaper than beer in order to keep drinkers from becoming alcoholics.
There’s not enough beer for the export market.
Czechs love beer so much that only a little is left for export! You would think that the Czech Republic is one of the biggest beer exporters in the world, but the country occupies only 10th place in the export of beer.
How to toast the right way.
Before you sip your beer, you must cling your glass with your drinking buddy and say “NA ZDRAVÍ” out loud (it literally means “to health”) and look into the other person’s eyes. If you don’t, it is said that you won’t have sex for seven years!
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