The Quiet Lounge
Adults only travel | Childefree tourism
The Amazing Beer Culture of Prague
Guest writer: Tamir Sabag
Prague is famous primarily for its beauty, a combination of ancient and new architecture like Art Nouveau and Cubism, the famous castle overlooking the old city, and a vibrant culture of dance clubs and jazz cellars.
But Prague is, first and foremost, the capital of the Czech Republic, the least religious nation in the world, which has chosen a new religion - Beer!
The Czechs are the world's leading beer consumers per capita by a significant margin. And although historically Prague is not the center of famous breweries, it houses several beer institutions that are much more than just for your thirst-quenching.
Let's start a journey through the city, exploring unique bars and breweries that tell the story of Czech beer. We'll start with the past and move forward to the future.
U Fleků
At the oldest beer spot in Prague, an institution featured in every tourist book about the city, U Fleků, a legendary brewery, tavern, and beer garden. It's important to understand that U Fleků attracts many tourists, so it's advisable to know what's worth experiencing and what might not be when visiting.
The place was founded in 1499 when Prague expanded, and people moved out of the old city into what is now called the "New Town." Despite the communist regime shutting down all the breweries in the country, brewing continued here uninterrupted.
The impressive beer garden is open in the summer, but the real reason to come here is the remarkable beer halls. Allow yourself to tour the vast complex before you leave, don't miss the significant halls, especially the Academics' Room where Prague's elite gathered in the early 20th century, or the Knights' Hall designed like a 16th-century noble's room.
The place serves a light and surprising Czech dark beer brewed unchanged since the mid-19th century. The food is also authentic and high-quality; it's recommended to try the beef in a cream sauce (Svíčková) and the pork knuckle where the meat falls off the bone after hours of cooking.
From there, we'll head to beer bars specializing in pouring Pilsner Urquell. There are several of these in the city center, most named after animals, and locals refer to bar-hopping among them as "visiting the zoo."
A traditional spot like this is "At the Two Cats" (U Dvou koček), but I particularly recommend one of the city's mythical bars. At this bar, the former Czech President took Bill Clinton during his visit as President of the United States. The bar is called “The Golden Tiger” (U Zlatého tygra), named after the ancient building it resides in.
It is always full, so it's wise to reserve a spot or arrive early. Besides the unique atmosphere and the people you won't see in touristy places, the beer pouring here is an art form. I like to stop by when I'm in the area, order a beer directly from the bartender, and watch the “dance” up close.
If you visit during the warm months, don't miss Prague's beer gardens, especially the one in Letná Park. Besides fresh beers and smiling people, you can see the city from one of the best viewpoints. In the city center, you'll also find bars specializing in boutique beers. My favorite is a bar named Myslíš. (the question mark is part of the name), a bar with a unique atmosphere built entirely on sustainability principles. Everything is recycled or collected and refurbished by the owners, the food is vegan versions of traditional Czech bar dishes, and even the chandelier is an old shopping cart. The bar has over ten taps of excellent Czech boutique beers, and you can spend hours there just tasting different styles.
Beer Festivals in Prague
There are many festivals in the city, including numerous beer festivals. Here are three particularly good ones:
Prague Beer Fest - This happens every year in April. It combines local boutique breweries and guest breweries from around the world.
Pivo a Burger Festival - Occurs every May. A festival of top-tier local craft breweries and the best burger stalls in the city.
Festival minipivovarů na Pražském hradě - Takes place every June. One of the oldest festivals in the city, you buy a ticket, enter the palace gardens, and enjoy unlimited beer from fifty participating breweries.
