Where to go for a beer in Prague

There are about 35 breweries adorning the beer map of Prague these days. Some have roots stretching far back into history, others were established only quite recently. Alongside the mainstays of the Prague beer scene, a growing number of establishments are serving their own beer brewed on the premises, or Czech and imported specials.

Beer with a pedigree

Some of Prague’s breweries have been plying their trade for centuries now, and if you are after the ‘classics’ then make sure you head for some black beer at one of the oldest breweries, U Fleků, or for the strongest beer available, X-Beer 33 at U Medvídků or the specials at the U Tří růží (‘The Three Roses’).   

The long tradition of the Únětický pivovar goes right back to 1710 and is intertwined with the life of the picturesque village of Únětice, reachable by bus 355 from Dejvice. The draught lagers Únětická 10° and 12° have found favour and renown with many throughout Prague.

Beer with a halo

The monastery breweries are a true Prague phenomenon. The one in Břevnov, which bears the name of St. Adalbert, was restored in 2013, following up a tradition dating back to 993. It’s actually the oldest brewery in the country. After a walk around the inspiring monastic gardens do stop by for some Břevnov Benedict in the welcoming Monastery Tavern.

Also, the Premonstratensian monks of Strahov have been brewing beer since medieval times. The Strahov monastic brewery in the former coach-house resumed operations after a gap of some years. The local St. Norbert beer brand is brewed by Master Brewer Jan Martinka in several variants.

Brews’ news

The brewery and restaurant U Supa (‘At the Vulture’) continues in the long tradition of brewery. A part of the brewery is a unique brew-house with glass, the only one in the Czech Republic. The Sup amber lager is well-favored. In the summer, you can sit out on the pleasant terrace in the courtyard overlooking the historic fountain or on the terrace, right on bustling Celetná street.

This ship-shape brewery called Loď Pivovar (‘The Ship Brewery’) is a project like no other in Europe. On two decks of what used to be a disco dancing ship, anchored under the Štefánik bridge, you’ll find all the paraphernalia of an entire microbrewery. To complement the beer and a wonderful vista of Prague Castle, the upper deck serves mainly traditional Czech cuisine, while down in the hold there are cold dishes and locally smoked meats.

Acclaimed taster taverns

As well as breweries, the metropolis has countless beer bars and ‘pivo-theque’ beer tasting joints. A varied choice of sample beers is to be found at Zlý časy (‘Hard times’). There are forty-eight beer taps here, featuring domestic small and medium sized breweries, but also hard-to-find beers from abroad.

Also, much sought after is the Vinohrady beer bar, Pivo a párek (‘Beer and sausage’) where draught and bottled specials are accompanied by excellent cold cuts from smaller delis. A little further out still, in the industrial zone near the Vršovice railway station, there is the Beer bar Zubatý pes (‘The toothy dog’) with a 15-tap bar, focused on hard-to-get Czech and international beers.

Among the more recent multi-tap establishments we find Prague’s popular BeerGeek. Pride of place here goes to a room with a 32-tap bar, drawing rare beers from regional Czech and international breweries.

A short distance from Karlovo square you’ll find the newly opened Craft House Prague – beer hall and bar with 27 beers on tap and over 100 bottled varieties. The bar showpiece is a standalone 6-tap Imperial Bar, where you will find stronger beers such as Russian Imperial Stouts, Double IPA’s or Quadruples.