A guide to Czech beer and the bars of Prague

Prague is not only an exceptional city, but it is also arguably the capital of Czech beer. Sample the local brews for yourself with our Prague food and drink experiences.

This beautiful city is home to gorgeous historic buildings, a thriving nightlife and, recently, has become famed for its sprawling assortment of delightful bars and delicious Czech beer. Prague’s pub culture is captivating - with endless options in terms of mouthwatering Czech beer from a dizzying number of pubs and bars.

If anything, the plethora of choices that Prague offers beer lovers can be daunting. In some districts, you can’t go more than a few steps without finding another beautiful pub, so visitors can feel overwhelmed with the variety on offer.

To help navigate the endless options of Czech beers and bars, this article is going to provide you with a guide to Czech beer and the bars of Prague.

A Brief History of Czech beer

The Czech Republic has a long and loving relationship with beer that dates back to 993 CE. The country has grown over the centuries and adopted new cultures, but their love for the golden nectar has never faltered. Today, the most popular Czech beers are pilsners and pale ales that are light in flavour, foamy and light golden in colour. Unsurprisingly, the people of the Czech Republic are fond of a tipple - with the country drinking more beer per person than anywhere else in the world.

With that out of the way, let’s dive into some of the best Czech beer that’s on offer today.

The best Czech beers

The Czech Republic has a dizzying variety of beers that are locally brewed in one of the 50 breweries and 70 microbreweries in the country. Trying all of them would be a tall order for even the thirstiest beer drinker, so to whittle down the options here are the Czech’s most popular beers:

Pilsner Urquell

Although originally a Polish and Russian beer, Pilsner Urquell is now exclusively brewed in Plzeň, one of the best Czech breweries. It is widely touted as the world’s first pilsner beer and it is incredibly popular in the Czech Republic. This light, crisp and refreshing beer is a must-try while visiting the Czech Republic and you won’t have to go too far to find it.

Despite its light flavour profile, Pilsner Urquell isn’t a lightweight in the alcohol department with an ABV of 4.4 %. It is most often enjoyed with a thick, frothy head that endures until the last few sips. You can even ask for a specific pouring method depending on the type of head you would like - sňyt, hladinka, or mlíko.

Czechvar Lager

Another internationally renowned Czech beer is Czechvar Lager, which is locally known as Budweis. There is - understandably - a lot of confusion when tourists encounter this beer because of its American counterpart, but it is a significantly more refined beer than the U.S bud. With an ABV of 5% and a blend of Saaz American hops and Moravian barley malt, Czechvar is potent and hoppy with a pronounced, foamy head.

Bernard Gluten-Free Lager

Bernard Brewery has largely flown under the radar outside of the Czech Republic, but this beer is not to be ignored. This historic brewery has been churning out delicious ales since the 1600s but it wasn’t until 2009 that the company began exporting their beer abroad. Their gluten-free lager is probably the most popular gluten-free option in the Czech Republic because there is no compromise on quality, flavour or potency.

With an ABV of 4.9% and a pale golden hue, the Bernard Gluten-Free Lager has managed to make a celiac-friendly beer that tastes as good as the other beers mentioned but without the gluten. This is definitely worth trying out even if you aren’t gluten-free.

The Best Pubs and Bars in Prague

Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic and blends historic architecture with a thriving contemporary culture. From boutique market stalls to sprawling shopping districts, Prague is probably best-known for its exceptional nightlife. With hundreds of bars dotted across the city, it’s hard to know where to find a good drink. To help you get started, try out some of these highly regarded bars and pubs in Prague:

Lokál

Lokál is situated in the Old Town neighbourhood of Staré Město and has an enticing menu of fresh, delectable Czech beer. There are actually five different locations dotted around Prague, but their flagship bar is in Staré Město. To get the best experience in Lokál, you simply must sample their Pilsner from the tank which is the ultimate thirst quencher. Or, if you fancy something a little more daring, ask for their unfiltered dark Kozel.

Bukowski’s

Bukowski's is an atmospheric bar located in Žižkov with an incredibly inviting and cosy aesthetic that welcomes all. Their friendly staff are very knowledgeable about Czech beer and are always happy to help you select a beer that you will enjoy. It can get pretty busy in the evenings, so if you’re looking to enjoy a nice Czech lager and meet some new people, this could be the perfect spot for you.

Also worth noting is that Tuesday night’s at Bukowski’s are for the ladies, which means free pitchers of sangria! They also offer a delightful assortment of cocktails if you are wanting to deviate from the Czech lager for an evening.

T-Anker

T-Anker is another pub located in the Old Town of Staré Město (specifically in Namesti Republiky) that is well worth a visit. If you are looking to enjoy a drink with a view, this is the place for you. T-Anker features a beautiful terrace that offers panoramic views of the city that looks across to Prague Castle.

As well as delightful views, T-Anker offers a delightful selection of beers. With over 40 bottled varieties and an assortment of draught beers from the region, T-Anker caters to all tastes. We would recommend their T-Anker light lager if you fancy a traditional Prague pint, but there are also a great assortment of microbrewery options available on tap.

Prague Food and Drink Experiences

If you are looking to experience all that Prague has to offer, why not consider booking a beer tour through tabl.com? We have an amazing selection of culinary and drinking experiences to help you discover the hidden gems of Prague and other destinations across the globe.

What to eat in Prague

Are you visiting the Czech Republic and thinking about what to eat in Prague? Then why not read tabl's article What to eat in Prague for an introduction to authentic Czech cuisine.