Visitors to Prague should arm themselves with our list of where to sample the local lager.
Prague has become one of Europe’s hottest tourist destinations. Most travellers come to admire the baroque architecture and to unravel fascinating layers of history, but the highly drinkable Czech beer and the city’s many bars and taverns also constitute a powerful drawcard for many.
Bring a sturdy pair of walking shoes as those cobblestones in the Old Town can be hell on your ankles, and be prepared to occasionally get lost among narrow laneways and confused by inconsistent English translations of bar and street names. But don’t worry, you’ll probably discover yet another nice little place just around the corner that serves great-tasting beer and delicious, hearty food.
Czechs drink more beer per capita than any nationality, including their German neighbours, with the Irish and English their only serious rivals for consuming the amber nectar in pubs and bars. Czech lager is renowned as some of the world’s finest and the quality of the beer dispensed in individual bars is taken very seriously by Prague’s citizens.
Pilsner Urquell and Budvar are the best-known Czech brands internationally – and pilsner has become a byword for the highest-quality lager. However, you’ll also find many other local beers on tap around Prague. Dark lagers, in particular, are a Bohemian specialty, often used to wash down smoked meats, spicy sausages or a piquant goulash and dumplings.
Due to the republic’s location, German is generally more widely understood than English and Czech is a rather challenging language for tourists to get to grips with, but knowing a single word – pivo (beer) – will ensure you never go thirsty while exploring the city’s enthralling beer culture.
Beer Barsu Pinkasů
Jungmannovo 16, Prague 1-Nové Město.
+420 221 111 150.Novoměstský PivovarVodičkova 20, Prague 1-Nové Město.
+420 222 232 448.U FlekůKřemencova 11, Prague 1-Nové Město.
+420 224 934 019.
U KonÍrna
Anenská 11, Prague, 1-Staré Město.
U MedvídkůNa Perštýně 7, Prague, 1-Staré Město.
+420 224 211 916.
U Zlatého TygraHusova 17, Prague, 1-Staré Město.
+420 222 221 111.
U RudolfinaKřížovnická 10, Prague, 1-Staré Město.
+420 222 328 758.
U Sv Tomáš
Letenská 12, Prague, 1-Malá Strana.
+420 257 531 835.
Source: Qantas The Australian Way October 2007
Updated: July 2008