Czech beers are famous around the world, but nowhere are they drunk with such appreciation as in Prague. The Czechs take their beer (pivo) seriously and are very proud of it.
The Czech Republic also produces considerable amounts of wine, both red and white, mainly in Southern Moravia. Little of it is bottled for export.
The best-known Czech beer is Pilsner Urquell. Clear and golden, with a strong flavor of hops, Pilsner is made by the lager method: bottom-fermented and slowly matured at low temperatures.
The word “Pilsner” is derived from Plzeň (Pilsen in German), a town 80 km southwest of Prague, where this type of beer was first made in 1842.
The brewery that developed the beer still makes Plzeňské pivo as well as the slightly stronger Plzeňský Prazdroj, better known as Pilsner Urquell.
A slightly sweeter beer, Budweiser Budvar, is brewed 150 km south of Prague in the town of České Budějovice (Budweis in German). The American Budweiser’s first brewer adopted the name after a visit to Bohemia in the 19th century.
The second most popular brew in the Czech Republic is near-black tmavé pivo, or “dark beer,” a brewing style that predates pilsner — and upstages it in some Czech taverns.
Prague Pilsner Urquell Museum
Discover the history of the world’s first golden lager, at the Pilsner Urquell Experience in Prague. Located in a historic building on Wenceslas Square, this immersive tour combines cutting-edge technology with Czech beer culture.
Taste three beers, enjoy tapster shows, and explore interactive exhibits at this must-visit experience for beer enthusiasts and those curious about Czech brewing heritage.
Czech wine producers have not yet emulated the success of other East European wine-makers. The main wine-growing region is Moravia, where most of the best wine is produced for local consumption.
Some wine is also made in Bohemia, around Mělník, just north of Prague. The wines are made mostly from Riesling, Müller-Thurgau, or Veltliner grapes (polosuché is demi-sec and suché is sec). Rulandské (Pinot) is an acceptable dry white.
The reds are slightly better, the main choices being Frankovka and Vavřinecké. In the autumn, a semi-fermented young, sweet white wine called burčák is sold and drunk across the capital.
In every restaurant and pub you’ll find Becherovka, a bitter-sweet, amber herbal drink served both as an aperitif and a liqueur. It can also be diluted with tonic. It’s the best know Czech liquor.
Named after the Becher family, the traditional liqueur in the legendary flat green bottle carries across generations values that are as valid today as they were 200 years ago.
Other local drinks include Borovička, a juniper-flavored spirit, and plum brandy or Slivovice. The latter is clear and strong and rather an acquired taste.
Located within the historic streets of Prague, the R. Jelínek Slivovitz Museum stands as a testament to Czech craftsmanship and heritage. As you step through its doors, you’re transported into a realm where fruit spirits come alive, and the aroma of Slivovitz fills the air.
Slivovitz is a traditional plum brandy popular in Central and Eastern Europe and the standard Czech liquor to go by.
The heart of the museum lies in its interactive exhibition. Here, visitors embark on a sensory journey through the distilling process. Every step is meticulously explained, from the carefully selected plums to the copper stills. You’ll discover how tradition and innovation intertwine, resulting in the smooth, golden elixir known as slivovitz.
Address: U Lužického semináře 116/48
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM