A Tradition Dating Back to the Middle Ages
The history of brewing in the Czech lands goes back many centuries. One of the oldest documented breweries on our territory was established at Břevnov Monastery in Prague in 993, shortly after the monastery itself was founded. And, unsurprisingly, it was the Benedictine monks who were behind it.
Beer and brewing subsequently became an important part of life throughout the Czech lands, with breweries appearing in towns, monasteries, and estates across the country.
Over the centuries, Czech and German brewing traditions developed alongside each other, sharing knowledge, techniques, and discoveries while also creating a little friendly rivalry over whose beer was better.
And although there has been plenty of cooperation between our two brewing cultures over the centuries, we Czechs would, of course, still bet our lives that our beer is the clear winner. 😅👍
Czech Beer Today
Fast-forward to today, and beer is still very much part of Czech culture.
The Czech Republic produces billions of litres of beer every year, with a surprisingly large number of breweries for a country of around 11 million people.
But where the Czech Republic really shines is not simply how much beer we produce – it’s how much we drink. 🤷♂️😅
Czechs have long ranked among the world’s biggest beer consumers per capita, and the difference is rather impressive.
This strong beer culture has also helped create an enormous variety of local breweries. From large, internationally recognized breweries to small independent craft breweries, there are now hundreds of breweries across the country, each with its own beers and specialties.
And this competition is great news for beer lovers.
Quality remains high, variety continues to grow, and beer is still remarkably affordable. In fact, it is not unusual to find a half-liter of beer in a Czech pub or restaurant costing less than a half-liter bottle of water. Insane, right? 🙈
For us, it is simply… normal. 😁🍺
The Green Gold of Bohemia
But great beer needs great ingredients – and one of the most important of them has found an especially happy home in the Czech lands.
Hops. 🌿
Hops are responsible for much of the bitterness and aroma that give beer its characteristic taste, and the Czech climate and soil provide excellent conditions for growing some of the world’s finest varieties.
That is why hops have traditionally been known here as “green gold.” 💚
Perhaps the most famous Czech variety is Saaz, named after the town of Žatec, located approximately 50 kilometres northwest of Prague.
The Žatec region has been one of the world’s most important hop-growing areas for centuries, and Czech Saaz hops are highly valued by brewers around the globe.
So, when you’re enjoying a perfectly balanced Czech lager, there is a good chance that at least some of its character comes from those little green cones grown in the fields around Žatec.
More Than Just a Drink
For Czechs, beer has never been simply about alcohol.
It is part of our history, our traditions, our social life – and, in many ways, our everyday culture.
A Czech pub is traditionally a place where people meet friends, discuss politics, celebrate good news, complain about bad news… and occasionally solve problems that probably cannot actually be solved over a beer. 😂
So, when you visit the Czech Republic, don’t just think of beer as something to drink.
Take a seat in a traditional pub, order a freshly poured half-liter, and experience a small but very important part of Czech culture.
And remember – the first beer is for thirst, the second is for taste, and after that… well, you’re already part of the conversation. 😁🍻