UBC July 2026 - Pivo

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Common clichés about Czech people include an often reserved or “cold” exterior that masks a friendly and hospitable nature, along with a deep love of beer, a dry and sarcastic sense of humor, and a tendency to wear socks with sandals. Czechs are also known for strong self-deprecating humor and a pragmatic, sometimes skeptical attitude toward authority.

Now, I am by no means an expert, but the beer stereotype may actually be completely justified.

With around 126 liters (33 gallons) consumed per person annually, the Czech Republic has long ranked among the world leaders in beer consumption, even though overall consumption has declined somewhat in recent years. At the same time, non-alcoholic beer has grown rapidly in popularity and now accounts for roughly a tenth of domestic beer sales.

The most common Czech beers are pale lagers of the pilsner type, known for their clear golden color, thick foam, and crisp, refreshing taste. Beer has deep historical roots in the region. During the Middle Ages, monasteries played an important role in brewing, and some of the oldest monastery breweries in Bohemia were located at Prague’s Strahov Monastery and at the monastery in Břevnov.

Today, Prague’s brewing scene is far more diverse than simple large-scale industrial production. Staropramen remains the city’s main industrial brewery, with its Smíchov brewery ranking among the largest and most modern in the country. The city’s oldest brewpub is U Fleků, founded in 1499 and continuously brewing ever since. Interestingly, Prague had only three breweries in 1989, located in Smíchov, Holešovice, and Braník. Most of the city’s current breweries and brewpubs opened after the fall of communism, particularly after 2000.

I think it is safe to say that many tourists who come to Prague have at least some interest in beer.

Prague offers a wide variety of beer tasting experiences, ranging from traditional Czech lager tastings in historic pubs to modern craft beer samplings featuring international styles. Visitors can join brewery tours, monastery brewery visits, food pairing dinners, tapster workshops, and even scenic beer tastings on boats along the Vltava River.

Some experiences focus on Czech brewing traditions and pouring techniques, while others are designed for sampling many different beers in a relaxed and social atmosphere. Prague also has craft beer crawls, nightlife-oriented tasting tours, and seasonal beer festivals that combine beer culture with food, music, and entertainment.

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That said, Prague is not simply a giant open-air party. Public drinking is generally legal in Czechia, but Prague has designated hundreds of areas where alcohol consumption in public is prohibited in an effort to reduce rowdy behavior. Drinking on the street or in parks within these zones, particularly near schools, public transport stops, and historic landmarks, can result in immediate fines.

Even if you don't drink, there may be something for you: beer ice cream. You heard right. They serve beer-flavored ice cream topped with light and creamy whipped cream. The texture is supposed to be similar to a sorbet, refreshing and not too sweet, and it has a subtle malty aroma, crunchy oat bits, and all the flavor of beer. Before you ask, I didn't try it.

Prague is also known for its unusual “beer spas,” where guests soak in large wooden tubs filled with warm water enriched with ingredients used in brewing, such as hops, malt, yeast, and herbal extracts. During the treatment, visitors are often encouraged to drink unlimited beer while relaxing, and many spas also offer heated beds or massages afterward.

The experience is more about relaxation, novelty, and atmosphere than serious medical wellness treatment, although some spas claim that hops and brewer’s yeast may help soften the skin, improve circulation, and promote relaxation. Scientific evidence for major health benefits is fairly limited, but many visitors describe beer spas as a fun and quirky way to combine Czech beer culture with a spa experience.

Apparently, beer spa appointments should be booked well in advance. Would you try it, just for the experience?