Microbreweries In Prague

Max Bahnson, Pivní Filosof (Beer Philosopher)

“First some context: After the fall of Communism in 1990, there was only one microbrewery in the whole country: U Fleku, in Prague. Ten years ago, there were more than 50. Today, the latest figure is hovering around 400, with more than 30 in Prague alone. And the trend is not showing signs of slowing down. A new brewery opens literally almost every week.

“The prevailing model, by a long shot, remains the brewpub – the beers of most microbreweries are sold exclusively on site, or at most, at a tap or two nearby. However, the number of breweries that rely on distribution, either primarily or exclusively, is growing. There’s a lot more tap room for them than there was 5 years ago. Those beers are getting not only to specialist bars, but to all kinds of establishments: cafés, restaurants and even old-school pubs.

“As for trends, ales (especially pale ales and IPAs) have become relatively popular, to the point that even bigger breweries are having a go at them. That popularity will keep on growing, not only because many people like those “new” flavours, but because they can be sold at a much higher price in relation to the difference in their production costs (which are minimal). New domestic hop cultivars are going to be big – they can bring unique flavours and be a viable alternative to American, Australian and New Zealander hops that are increasingly hard to get.

“All that being said, lagers aren’t going anywhere – in part because the big brands can still produce decent stuff by any standards, but also because they’re part of Czech beer identity. To many, a “Světlý Ležák” (pale lager) is the bar by which a microbrewery is measured – if they can’t put together a good pale lager, the rest is not even worth considering.”

An Argentinean-born Prague transplant, beer writer Max Bahnson has authored titles like Prague: A Pisshead’s Pub Guide and The Unbearable Nonsense of Craft Beer. Check out his work at his beer blog, Pivní Filosof (written in English).