The first written mention of a brewery in Prague dates back to 993, when the monastery brewery at Vyšehrad was mentioned.
During the Middle Ages, brewing in Prague developed and new breweries were established.
In 1255, King Přemysl Otakar II granted the city the right to brew beer, which led to the establishment of many small breweries in the city.
The construction of large commercial breweries also began at that time.
The most famous is probably Pilsner Urquell, which was founded in Pilsen, but Prague is also home to major brands such as Staropramen (founded in 1869) and Budvar (Budějovice Budvar).
Staropramen is one of the largest beer producers in the Czech Republic and its traditional recipe is widely recognised.
The Industrial Revolution at the end of the 19th century saw the modernisation of brewing technology and the growth of small family breweries.
This era was also marked by the emergence of pubs and restaurants serving local products in all parts of the city.
After the Second World War, most of Prague's breweries were nationalised and became part of the state-owned Pilsner Urquell or other state-owned companies.
This led to product uniformity and reduced innovation in production processes.
After the Velvet Revolution in 1989, the process of privatisation of the Czech economy and brewing industry began.
Many small craft microbreweries have boomed since Prague welcomed more than a dozen new microbreweries offering
a variety of beers with an emphasis on quality and originality.
The present of Prague breweries
Today, Prague is known not only for its historic traditional brands, but also for its dynamic craft brewing scene with many trendy local breweries:
- Staropramen - One of the largest Czech beer producers, based in Smichov, Staropramen offers a wide range of products, from classic lagers to various specialities.
- Pilsner Urquell - Although the brand was originally founded in Pilsen, its popularity has made it an integral part of the menu in all major pubs in Prague.
- U Fleků - This historic brewery, founded in 1499, is famous for its dark lager "Flekovský"
- Microbreweries - The last twenty years have seen the growth of microbreweries such as Pivní zahrada and Pilsner Urquell Original Restaurant. These small operations use both traditional recipes and more modern techniques to produce a wide range of beers, from top-fermented beers to speciality beers such as fruity or spiced varieties.
- The U Tří růží, Bad Flash and Vinohradský Pivovar breweries are other examples of successful microbreweries offering a variety of flavours to both locals and tourists.
The current culture of craft brewing attracts not only lovers of quality beverages, but also those interested in tasting events or tours of the breweries themselves.
In this way, Prague continues to confirm its reputation as one of the most attractive places in the world for fans of Czech beer.
The history of the current strong trend towards hand brewing shows a growing interest in tradition combined with the modern spirit of today.
