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Water, hops and yeast: Discover the magic of beer

Bernard Kvasnicový Light Lager 11%

With a delicate hop aroma, refreshing yeasty taste and finish, the beer is only slightly bitter.

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Primátor IPA Semi-Dark Special

The taste is at first bitter, but after a while you’ll feel the subtle tones of fruit, resin and citrus.

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Pilsner Urquell Light Lager

Fine, but distinctly bitter beer brewed from Saaz hops. Its traditional full flavor excels.

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Svijany Svijanský Máz Light Lager

Bottom-fermented lager with a delicate taste and a hint of herbs. It is moderately bitter and sweeter.

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Staropramen Déčko Light Draft

A lower sugar content, people with diabetes can also drink it.

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Miniature encyclopedia of beer: What’s the difference between a lager and draft beer?

Beer is one of the oldest and most widespread alcoholic beverages in the world. The Czech word for beer is derived from the word “drink” and means “the most broadest and ordinary drink”. Beer’s popularity in the Czech Republic is growing. Czechs traditionally rank number one in drinking beer, leaving behind in the dust other beer powers such as Belgium, Ireland or Germany. Even as several types of beer are currently brewed around the world, the basic raw materials do not change. What’s needed is water, yeast, malt and hops.

The Czech Republic consumes draft beer and lager the most. Traditional bottom-fermented beers are called lagers. Lagers are where the sucrose percentage by weight reaches past eleven or twelve degrees Brix. Multi-brewed beer has a fuller flavor with a distinct taste of hops. Draft beers are lighter and more refreshing. Beers seven to ten degrees Brix carry the draft beer name. Beer degrees indicate the concentration of processed malt, especially sugars, in the wort.

The popularity of mini-breweries in the Czech Republic has been rising

Besides the large breweries, ever more mini-breweries are being established in the Czech Republic, mainly producing beer specialties such as IPA Pale Ales and stouts. In 2019, they brewed 400,000 hectoliters of beer.

Did you know that...

The oldest surviving record of beer brewing is at the Břevnov Monastery?

St. Vojtěch Brewery inside the Břevnov Monastery is the oldest brewery in the Czech Republic. It was founded in 993 by Prince Boleslav II and the then Bishop of Prague, St. Vojtěch. Today, the Břevnov Brewery mainly produces specialty beers. There you can taste an 11° black special with a strong flavor of roasted barley that gives it a hint of chocolate and coffee.

How do you serve beer? The right way is cold

Let the beer first cool down. The ideal temperature for serving lagers and draft beer is 5-7 °C. With specialty beers, keep the temperature around 10-12 °C, while beers with a stronger flavor and aroma stand out better at higher temperatures. Rinse the glass with cold water before pouring the beer. You can get a good beer head by pouring a little beer at the bottom of the glass. Then pour the rest gently down the glass.

Classic lagers are best enjoyed in classic half-liter mugs, while the flavor and aroma of wheat beer stands out better in a tall slim glass. Specialty beers are poured into smaller glasses with a stem. This lets their deeper color stand out and all the flavors develop.

The best-known ways for pouring beer from the tap

Hladinka (flat head)

The most common way to pour beer from the tap. It is poured until the glass is full and a thick creamy head has formed. Beer poured this way has a strong finish.

Milk

Ideal for people who love a sweet taste. The mug is full of a thick, creamy beer head. It also has a very fine finish.

Schnyt

A smaller amount of beer is poured with a thick layer creamy foam as a head. This is ideal for tasting or as a “quick” beer.

Beer as a gift

Give the unmistakable, traditional taste of hops and malt.

Select from classic Czech lagers, draft beers and specialties.

Something interesting to entertain friends and family

Do you know about the morbid fear of an empty half-liter mug? Technically, this is called cenosillicophobia. But the cure’s just to refill it. Take a look at some of the other intriguing things about beer you never knew.