Beer is many things: a conversation starter, liquid courage, simple hydration. But in the Czech Republic, beer means so much more. Beer is a unifying item, especially for men. When we went on the food tour, our tour guide told us stories about how important it has been (and still is) while growing up. One story was about how it is very common for Czech men to play pickup soccer games and then go to a bar or pub after and have a couple beers. There is even a special ticket for ordering beers that shows how one row of pints correlates to a liter of beer. The way the ticket works is that in these bars/pubs, the waitstaff just keeps bringing you more and more beer each time you finish a pint, and each pint gets marked on the little ticket. Once you finally tell them to stop, the number of pints (and therefore liters) of beer is shown on the ticket, and you bring the ticket to the waitstaff to pay for however many beers you got. I’ve never even heard of this kind of thing existing anywhere else, so I was quite surprised when I found out that it existed. This method just goes to show how important beer is to Czech culture, as this extent of never-ending-beer isn’t something you’d find anywhere else in the world.
Beer is not only integral to Czech culture, but also integral to Czech tourism as well. Pilsen, Czech Republic is home to Pilsner Urquell, one of the most unique breweries in the world. Created in 1842, it has made history, both within Czechia and worldwide. The recipe and fermentation process, which hasn’t changed since it was perfected by brewer Josef Groll, has become the base for most beers brewed around the world. Now, Pilsner Urquell’s Gambrinus brewery (the one in Pilsen) offers tours of both their modern automated brewing system, as well as the out-of-commission relics of Pilsner’s history. On the tour, you learn every little detail of Pilsner’s brewing process, from the fact that they grow their own barley to the fact that they have the specific yeast strain they use stored in “yeast banks” in Pilsen, Prague, and London. Every part of the Pilsner brewing process is so meticulously monitored to create the iconic taste so many know and love today. After learning everything there is to know about Pilsner Urquell beer on the tour, there is a fully stocked gift shop attached to the brewery with everything from beer itself to clothes, bags, kitchenware, and more. Like I mentioned before, Pilsner isn’t just iconic in Pilsen. Pilsner Urquell established what they call “Pilsner Urquell Original Restaurants,” where they partner with restaurants to properly store and serve Pilsner beer. These restaurants can be found all over the Czech Republic because of how iconic Pilsner beer is to the country.
Beer is so much more important to Czech culture and tourism than I could have ever imagined. Back in the states, beer is just another alcoholic drink. But here? It’s synonymous with livelihood, friendship, coming-of-age, and even more.