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Beer & more beverages |
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The proof that Czech beer is best: |
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A Beagle is never mistaken on food... |
But let us start with Czech wine. An issue that is
quickly covered. They do make some fine white wine and champagne, Bohemia
Sekt, while I never have tasted a red wine I will recommend as
food to man. This page, Wine
regions in the Czech Republic, says all there is to say on
the subject.
But if you do not consider it enough, there is also a Slovakian page, Vínko.sk.
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Beer is the favourite beverage to the Czechs and the
right name for a lager is "pilsner". That is no coincidence
as the beer type origins from Plzen in Bohemia. Plzen is the centre
for Czech brewing but there are fine breweries all over the country.
The best lager is produced according to the German
"Reinheitsgebot" from 1516, but unfortunately also many
Czech breweries give up this principle. If you visit Denmark, Copenhagen/Frederiksberg, I recommend you enjoy good Czech beer from Bohemia Regent draught at Café Svejk! You may choose either light or dark beer - but why not have one of both?
Below is a list of Czech breweries that I now have their own website. |
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If you want more information on Czech beers a lot of information is
available on the Internet, like
- The list at Radio
Prague
- The official(?) Czech
beer site
Avar
Avar is a brewery situated in Hlusic, a minor town north of Ostrava.
As far as I know the brewery has one product, a lager brewed with 12
% and an alcohol percent of 4,3 vol. The brew is not pasteurised.
Despite the low alcohol percentage the lager tastes very fresh with a
friendly suggestion of caramel. Suitable as appetiser but also as
companion for fried cheese (Smazene syr) and omelette.
Bernard
A good but rather anonymous beer. Have it for something as anonymous,
like turkey.
Bohemia Regent
The brewery is situated in Trebon and produces excellent beers. My
favourite is the dark, which is perfect as companion to matured cheese.
If you come to Copenhagen (Frederiksberg) you may have it draught at Café
Svejk.
Budejovicky
Budvar, n.p. (Budweiser)
A lovely beer, not to be compared to its American
cousin (it is not fair to the American!). A good companion to light meat.
Cerná Hora
I am sorry, but I do not know it.
Chodovar
I know neither the brewery, nor the products - unfortunately!
Deteníce
Castle with brewery. I have not
visited the place and therefore do not now the brew.
Eggenberg
The brewery of Ceský Krumlov, which brews a fine light tasting
beer. It goes especially well with poultry.
Excelent
In the now anonymous town Rýmarov about 40 km north of Olomouc
we find this brewery/hotel/restaurant.
If you come by do get inside and taste the brew, which is suitable
for all the menus. Especially the dark (tmavý special) goes
for all dishes.
You may buy the brew in a suitable size of 5 l (if they happen to
have barrels in stock!) and the first barrel I opened was obvious
freshly brewed. Delicious!
Ferdinand
Brewed in Benesov and as friendly as the town.
A nice companion to sirloin.
Gambrinus
Classical Czech brewery like Urquell and owned by the Urquell group
as (too) many other Czech breweries.
The premium (svetlý lezák) is friendly with poultry.
Holba
Brewery in Hanusovice north of Sumperk in Moravia. Unfortunately I do
not know the products.
Hostan
Brewery in Znojmo. Sorry, but I do not know the products.
Jihlava
I am sorry, but unfortunately I do not know the brewery.
Krusovice
The brewery produces excellent beer and especially the dark is
popular, which it deserves.
It is light and a bit sourish, which make it useful for quiet
meditation. The alcoholic percentage is just 3,8% and that
makes it easy to convince one self to have another one.
Litovel
A refreshing beer suitable as the appetizer in company with a
selection of Chio Chips.
Lobkowicz
Lobkowich is more than just a brewery; it is a dynasty that also
makes the best Müller-Thurgau in the republic. Back to the beer!
I know the Knize, which is a fine beer with a distinguished taste. I
recommend it for slightly spiced pork.
Louny
The beer looks fine but unfortunately I do not know it.
Náchod
Just the beer I think of when I long for a popular Czech beer.
Robust, genuine and suited for fried potato cakes (Bramborarka).
Nová Paka
I am sorry, but unfortunately I do not know the brewery.
Nymburk
I am sorry, but unfortunately I do not know the brewery.
Pernstejn
Brewed in Pardubice, probably the Czech town I have spent most time
in, but unfortunately I have no remembrance of the beer.
Pivovarský
Dum
Pivovarský Dum, situated in Prague, is a combined brewery and restaurant.
You may get dishes prepared with beer and a genuine beer enthusiast
recommends the place to me. However a genuine tourist describes the
place as a tourist trap with almost non-existing service.
Plzensky
Prazdroj (Pilsner Urquell)
My personal favourite lager. Is the best-known Czech beer abroad. Has
a full flavoured taste with a bitter touch. Recommended for goulash
and all other dishes.
The brewery also produces Gambrinus a slightly lighter beer; fine for
duck, and the more popular Primus, which due to its low alcohol
percentage (4,3 % vol.) is fine for white bread.
Podkován
I am sorry, but unfortunately I do not know the brewery.
Policka
Policka is a small town (10.000 citizen, from 1265) situated on the
Bohemian & Moravian Tops 555 m above the see in the middle of a
line drawn between Pardubice and Brno. The brewery, originated in
1517, is open to visitors and gives the opportunity to see how
traditional Czech lager is brewed. I have unfortunately never tasted
the products, but if they are as friendly as the website they are
very good.
Radegast
An excellent, typically Czech beer: Light but also with a strong
bitter taste of good hob. Suitable for meat and cheese.
Staropramen
The classic brew is Premium Lager, which is a typical lager that
holds 5% vol. and has a fresh taste. A good beer for lunch. They also
deserve applause because they have launched a handy plastic bottle
that contains 65 cl.
More applause because of Kelt, which is a brilliant and in Czech context a very innovative brew. It is a traditional stout with just the right sourish bitter taste that makes it suitable for blue cheese. Praise also for the ability to make such a brew with just 4.8 vol.
Svijany
The brewery is situated in Svijany just south of Liberec.
The product range goes from 10 grade (4,0% vol.) to 15 grade (6,5% vol.).
Knize is excellent for the traditional Czech kitchen, a flattened and breaded.
U Fleku
Famous pub and tourist trap in Prague.
Though it is the worst tourist trap I know of, the dark beer is excellent.
It does not go along with the too expensive food, as you need to
drink the beer in a hurry and rush out before you get nuts! If you do
not want a Becherovka or anything else at king size prices beside the
beer, do be aware of the servants and dismiss them before they let
anything hit your table!
Velké Popovice
A good, rich beer with an uncomplicated taste. Preferred by my
beloved wife. Excellent with pasta and pizza.
The goat on the label is named Olda. The brewery also makes a fine
dark beer, the favourite beer to more people I know. It is perfect
with the special cheese from Olomouc.
Zatec
Another brewery I know nothing about.
Zlatopramen
Another good old acquaintance. Light and friendly beer, that goes
fine with your lunch.
Zubr
They make among other fine beers a light beer sold in a handy 1.5l
bottle, which goes perfectly to a light lunch of sandwiches.
And now to something completely different
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Becherovka - the
Czech national liqueur
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The distillery has a museum in Karlovy Vary. Do not regard the
opening hours as trustworthy but consider them a guideline (that is
my experience).
For some reason it is a major offence to take pictures as a poor
German tourist was told when he tried to copy me. |
Stock
An amazing amount of awful booze is produced in the Czech Republic,
but a company like Stock ensures that you may also get quality
products. The best-known product is Fernet Stock, a sweet bitter
(like the better known German Jägermeister) that holds 40%. Even
if you do not like the sweet taste, buy a small bottle if you visit
the country in the summertime anyway; it is second to none to catch wasps.
Besides Stock also try to brand vodka and shots as Amundsen, but they
also produce a lot of other alcoholic beverage among which is an
acceptable slivovic.
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R. Jelinek is
the company, which produces the best slivovice in the Czech Republic
(Slovak slivovica is better but hard to find in the CZ). You may be certain yourself by visiting the premises situated in the minor city Vizovice, a bit east of Zlin. It is also possible to facilitate a company - or private event! The products from Jelinek are available at any (grocery/supermarket). |
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