Czech beer is a traditional beverage with a long history and high reputation worldwide. It is primarily made from lager styles but also includes wheat and porter varieties.
History
Beer brewing in the Czech Republic dates back to Celtic times, with the first mention in 1088. By the 12th century, beer was brewed in every household, and the first major breweries emerged in the 14th-15th centuries. The pivotal year was 1842 when Josef Groll created the Pilsner style in Plzeň, which became popular globally. Traditional brewing methods were preserved during the socialist era, maintaining quality.
Types and styles
Czech beer primarily features lager (Ležák), but also includes wheat and porter varieties. Protected geographical status (PGI) ensures quality control through audits of raw materials, production process, and final product. Brands with protected status include Pilsner Urquell, Radegast, Gambrinus, and Velkopopovický Kozel when produced in the Czech Republic.
How it is made
Czech beer production follows traditional methods, with protected status requiring state inspection of ingredients, brewing process, and final product characteristics. Some modern breweries have accelerated processes, leading to quality reduction, but traditional breweries continue to maintain high standards.
Adapted from the Russian Wikipedia article Чешское пиво, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Styles and varieties
- Platan
- Strakonický Dudák
Well-known brands
- Zlatopramen
- Postřižinské
- Herold
- Dačický