A beer tour of the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is the home of the first Pilsner, the first Budweiser, and takes first place for the world's per-capita beer consumption. Evan Rail captures the country and its love affair with beer.
  
  


The Charles Bridge
In addition to great lagers, Prague is also home to some lovely architecture - or is it the other way around? The Charles Bridge, built in 1357, remains one of the city's premier attractions. Photograph: Evan Rail
First Beer Tramway
According to the Czech beer group Sdružení přátel piva, the best pub of 2006 is Prague's First Beer Tramway, the end-station of the 11 line, which offers excellent beers (and great public transport, naturally). Photograph: Evan Rail
St. Vitus Cathedral, Prague
The St Vitus Cathedral at Prague Castle, as well as the city's many statues, spires and rooftops, is clearly visible from the Letná beer garden. This lies just to the north of Prague's Old Town and the Josefov Jewish Quarter. Photograph: Evan Rail
Czech pub
Though most Czech pubs offer beer from only one brewery, several are starting to offer wider selections, like this taproom with six brews from Budweiser Budvar, Pilsner Urquell and Kutná Hora, a regional producer. Photograph: Evan Rail
Novosad glassworks
The Novosad glassworks in Harrachov installed an on-site brewery to meet the demands of its employee glass-blowers, who toil in exceptionally high temperatures. Malted barley is served as a beer snack in the accompanying brewpub. Photograph: Evan Rail
Maly Rohozec brewery
Though most tourists never make it out of Prague, breweries, beer festivals and great pubs invite curious travellers to every corner of Bohemia and Moravia, the two halves of today's Czech Republic. Above, the Malý Rohozec brewery, about an hour from Prague, which holds its beer festival on the Saturday closest to the summer solstice. Photograph: Evan Rail
Ceske Budejovice
The Baroque main square in České Budějovice, home to the original Budweiser. Tours of the brewery are available in English, and the visitors' centre stocks plenty of Budweiser Budvar gifts for beer fans. Photograph: Evan Rail
Stramberk
The hilltop citadel town of Stramberk is home to one of the Czech Republic's best - and least-known - dark lagers, called Troobacz. Photograph: Evan Rail
Stramberk
The brewery, hotel and bakery in Stramberk, home to the amazing Troobacz dark lager and special baked waffles known as "Stramberk Ears". Photograph: Evan Rail
Pisek's Stone Bridge
The oldest bridge in the country is Pisek's Stone Bridge, dating from around 1300. The nearby Platan brewery is a South Bohemian favorite, offering one of the best strong specials, Prachenska Perla, with 6% alcohol and a syrupy, maple-like finish. Photograph: Evan Rail
Skoda Felicia convertible
Between pints, take a tour of Prague's cobblestone lanes and Gothic architecture in a classic Skoda Felicia convertible, complete with driver and tour guide. Photograph: Evan Rail
 

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