Beer, one of the most popular beverages in the world, is one of the symbols of Czechia, an integral part of Czech cuisine. This golden-colored drink is made from simple ingredients – water, barley malt, hops, and yeast, but the resulting taste and character of the beer depends on many factors such as the quality of the ingredients, the production process used, and the skill of the brewer.
Beer: Liquid Gold in a Glass
History of Brewing Beer
The history of beer dates back to ancient times when the first beers were brewed thousands of years ago in the Middle East region. Since then, the technique of brewing beer has been continuously improving and spreading throughout the world. Brewing experienced a great boom in the Middle Ages when monasteries were primarily responsible for beer production. Later, brewing became a craft, and the first city breweries emerged.
🇨🇿 Tip: Do you love Czech beer? Check out the interesting beer experiences that Prague has to offer. Cheers! 🍻
Most Famous Beer Styles
Today, we encounter an endless variety of beer styles, from light and refreshing lagers to full-bodied ales to strong and dense beers such as porters and stouts. Each beer style has its characteristic properties and flavors, which are determined by the ingredients used and the production process.
Czech ‘half-and-half’ beer: a mix of light and dark beer.
Ingredients for Brewing Beer
The malt, which is produced by controlled germination and drying of barley, plays a crucial role in beer production. During mashing, the necessary sugars and enzymes are extracted from the malt, which are later used in fermentation. Hops provide beer with its typical bitterness and aromatic compounds. Water quality is also extremely important, as different mineral compositions influence the final taste of the beer.
The Process of Brewing Beer
The beer brewing process involves several main steps – malt milling, mashing in, mashing, lautering, boiling, cooling, fermentation, maturation, and in some cases, filtration. Each of these steps requires precision and adherence to proper procedures to achieve the desired quality and taste of the beer.
The premises of the Guinness Brewery in Dublin, Ireland.
How Beer Is Brewed
Malting. Malt (germinated and dried cereal grain, most commonly barley) is ground into smaller pieces called grist. This allows better access of water to the starch and enzymes contained in the malt during the next stages of beer production.
Crushing. The grist is mixed with hot water in a mash tun, creating a mash. The goal is to convert the starch from the malt into a solution.
Mashing. Mashing is the process in which enzymes contained in the malt break down the starch into fermentable sugars. It takes place in a mash tun at precisely controlled temperatures that activate different enzymes.
Lautering. During lautering, the resulting sweet wort is separated from the solid malt residues (spent grains). The wort is pumped into the wort kettle, and the spent grains can be used as cattle feed.
Boiling. The wort is boiled in the wort kettle along with hops, which give the beer its characteristic bitterness, aroma, and act as a preservative. The length of the boil depends on the type of beer.
Cooling. After boiling, the hot wort must be cooled to fermentation temperature (around 8-14 °C for bottom-fermented beers, 15-22 °C for top-fermented beers) so that yeast can be added.
Fermentation. Brewer’s yeast is added to the cooled wort, which converts the fermentable sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Fermentation takes place in closed tanks for several days to weeks.
Maturation. After primary fermentation, the beer is transferred to conditioning tanks, where it matures at low temperatures for several weeks to months. During maturation, the flavor and aroma of the beer are refined, and the beer naturally carbonates.
Filtration (optional step). Some beers are filtered before being bottled or kegged to remove remaining yeast and other suspended solids. Filtration ensures the clarity of the beer but can also remove some flavor and aroma compounds. Unfiltered beers retain more of their original character but may be cloudier.
Beer in Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is renowned for its beer culture, ranking among the countries with the highest beer consumption per capita. Czech beer is known for its excellent quality and taste, which is due to the long-standing tradition and experience of Czech brewers. Among the most famous Czech beer styles is the Czech lager, which is characterized by a balanced flavor, mild bitterness, and high drinkability.
Pilsner Urquell. The most famous Czech beer.
On my travels, I always enjoy tasting the local beer varieties. Among Czech beers, my favorites are Zíchovec and Matuška. In Prague, I want to gradually visit all the stops of the Prague Beer Zoo.
In Iran, the consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited due to Islamic rules, which has led to the development of a market for non-alcoholic beers. Among the most popular local brands are Hey Day and Istak, the latter being considered a pioneer of non-alcoholic beers in Iran. Iranian non-alcoholic beers have a sweeter taste and resemble basic European non-alcoholic beers. Non-alcoholic beers are widely available in supermarkets, restaurants, and stalls, and they are very affordable.
Čep & Pec is a pub-café located in Prague's Nusle district. It was founded in 2021 as a space to showcase the beers of the Four Elements brewery. The craft brewery’s offerings are uniquely combined with a bakery. The menu is built on time-tested Czech pub classics such as pickled cheese or pickled sausages.
In Tunisia, alcohol consumption is restricted, but beer is still officially produced. You can find it in specialized sections of larger supermarkets or enclosed bars in major cities. The most well-known Tunisian beer brands are Celtia, Stella, and Golden Brau.
The history of Kyrgyz brewing dates back to the early 20th century, when the most prominent brewery producing the Arpa brand was established. This Soviet-style pale beer is popular more for nostalgia, with a simpler flavor profile. The second major local brand is Zhivoe beer. As a beer lover, I tasted both in Kyrgyzstan—Zhivoe pleasantly surprised me with its flavor, while Arpa was more of a disappointment for me.
Automat Matuška, opened in 2019 in Prague's Dejvice, offers uncompromising quality beer from its own microbrewery and food inspired by American BBQ. It also features its own nanobrewery, where you can try brewing your own beer.
Bistro Roesel – beer & food is a hidden gem in the heart of Prague, just a few steps away from touristy spots. The interior with vaulted ceilings and hexagonal tiles creates a unique atmosphere that engulfs you right upon entry. Friendly service and top-notch beer from Czech craft breweries at very reasonable prices are further reasons why this establishment is worth a visit.
Polish beer is deeply rooted in the local culture. The most popular styles are lagers, wheat beers, and dark beers. The market is dominated by three large groups: Kompania Piwowarska, Grupa Żywiec, and Carlsberg Polska. In addition to these, there are also numerous smaller craft breweries in Poland that brew unique, high-quality beers. Beer styles that originated in Poland include Baltic porter and grodziskie. Polish craft beers are definitely worth tasting and can surprise even experienced beer connoisseurs.
Baltic porter is a strong dark beer with a high alcohol content, often referred to as the Polish national beer style. It is characterized by a rich flavor with notes of dark chocolate, coffee, dried fruit, and caramel. It originated as a local substitute for imperial stout during the Napoleonic blockade. Baltic porter is an integral part of Polish beer culture and is definitely worth tasting.
Grodziskie beer is a unique Polish beer style with a long history dating back to the 14th century. This light beer with a low alcohol content is renowned for its distinctive smoky flavor. The taste comes from wheat malt dried over oak wood smoke. Grodziskie is also characterized by high carbonation (CO₂ saturation). Although it nearly disappeared after World War II, it is currently experiencing a renaissance due to the interest of craft breweries and beer enthusiasts seeking unconventional flavors.
Grzane piwo, or mulled beer, is a traditional Polish beverage with roots dating back to the Middle Ages. This warming drink is especially popular during the colder months. It is prepared using dark beer with the addition of various spices such as cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, or orange peel.
