Any recommendations for destinations in the Czech republic for a beer tourist? I have been to Prague before and know where to find good beer in the city. Any other options outside Prague? I have previously visited Pilsen just for a couple of hours. I managed a quick beer but was not able to explore fully. I *love* the dark lagers from Kozel and Herold. Where is the "home turf" for these breweries?
Thanks Bruce
Spent some time in Budvar and Ceske Krumlov back in April. Budvar has a dark lager that is delicious, and I really thought the draft Budvar 12 was the best widely available pils-type in the country. But...I was just awe-struck by the beauty of Ceske Krumlov. You really should go, it's a UN World Cultural Site (or whatever they call it), and it deserves the title. The Eggenberg brewery in town is okay, but the setting is quite nice. There's also a bar off the main square, Krcma, where I would love to return: little low-ceilinged joint grilling pork over an open fire (really clean bathrooms) that makes one feel like you've gone back in time (except for the really clean bathrooms). I'm going to go back and stay a few days sometime.
Did not. You spent some time in Ceske Budejovice, and probably drank the town dry of Budvar (from Budejovicky Pivovar). At least I hope you did.
Yes indeed. For a relative newbie who hasn't been out of Prague yet, they aren't at all bad as destinations go.
Pilsen is worth visiting if you have time to tour the Urquell brewery, but there isn't much else there. Nice little old town, couple of good places for beer, and that's about it. Oh, and a nice little brewery museum, too.
The country's number two city, Brno, has its charms and its own beer, Starobrno (of course), very nice when freshly drawn into half-liter mugs.
Kozel - actually, Velkopopovicky Kozel - is brewed in the brewery's namesake town of Velké Popovice, not far from Prague. The brewery dates from the late-mid 19th century, and is now part of Plzensky Prazdroj, which is Pilsner Urquell's Czech-language name. (PU is in turn part of the SABMiller global megabrewer.) Herold is from Brzeznice, a small town 60 kilometers south of Prague.
There are numerous other interesting smaller, independent brewers in the Czech Republic, some of which are in danger of disappearing as globalization continues its sweep and the bigger guys push out the little ones. If you can find the likes of Zlatopramen, Rychtar, Primator (brewer of the strongest beer in the CR), and Cerna Hora, you'll be doing well.
Brzeznice, a small town 60 kilometers south of Prague. <
Hmm...this might make a nice day trip from Prague. I haven't had Herold on draught yet -- the bottled dark lager is excellent, though.
Bruce
I could be a USENET dick and argue that "I meant I stayed in the brewery hahaha!!!11!!!!" but I won't. You're right. I misspoke. And I sure did what I could to do that dry drinking thing.
And you should have, too, but really, that's *my* job description, in case you didn't get the memo.
Attaboy. Gotta make the effort.
Have a fun time in Ba(r)varia. Munich again?
Musta read it subliminallllllly like.
Munich, Aying, Andechs, Buttenheim, Freising, Wolnzach, Kulmbach, Bamberg, Regensberg...they're keeping us very busy. Get the feeling I'm gonna hate that damned bus.
Poor Lew! Such an awful job!
Be sure and look up N**k while you're there.
The PilsnerUrquell brewery in Pilsen is an absolute must. The highlight is they give u a small glass of the stuff which is unpasturised and unfiltered direct from the cellar.
cheers
andy
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