Top 18 Czech Beers

Pivovar Matuška is a family-run craft brewery from the village of Broumy in Central Bohemia, founded in 2009 and now regarded as one of the pioneers of the modern Czech craft beer scene. Founder Martin Matuška built his brewing experience beginning in 1981, and this long technical background is reflected in the precision and consistency of their beers. From the very beginning, the brewery has embraced a production approach without filtration or pasteurization, preserving the natural aroma, fullness, and complexity of its ingredients. Despite its small, family-oriented character, Matuška releases more than thirty different labels each year, ranging from traditional lager styles to modern ale beers with pronounced hop expression. The brewery’s philosophy is grounded in authenticity, clarity of style, and an uncompromising dedication to quality. Each of their beers carries a recognizable signature, balancing Czech brewing tradition with contemporary craft sensibilities. Today, Pivovar Matuška stands as a strong example of how heritage and innovation can coexist, shaping one of the most respected profiles in the Czech craft beer landscape.Expand

Bernard from Humpolec is one of the most recognizable independent Czech breweries, with a local brewing tradition that dates back to the 16th century. The modern chapter of the brewery began in 1991, when Stanislav Bernard and his partners took over a failing state-owned facility and transformed it into a family brand built on quality and authenticity. The brewery uses its own water source, traditional cellar lagering, and its own malt house in Rajhrad, allowing full control over raw materials. Its production style follows classic Czech brewing principles, with certain lines left unpasteurized to preserve a fuller aromatic profile. Visitors can explore a modern visitor center, taste the beers, and learn about the brewing process. Despite its growth, the brewery maintains that volume is not its priority - preserving standards and identity is. This approach has allowed Bernard to become one of the leading private breweries in the Czech Republic, valued both domestically and internationally.Expand

Pivovar Sibeeria is an independent Prague brewery founded with the idea of connecting Czech lager tradition with modern craft brewing approaches. They do not limit themselves to a single style; instead, they give equal attention to clean, technically precise lagers and bold, hop-forward IPA variants. Their lagers are brewed using triple decoction, a traditional and time-consuming method that enhances depth and malt character. The IPA series focuses on clear, fruity, and herbal hop aromas without aggressive bitterness, making them approachable even for those who are just discovering IPA styles. Their sour ales are developed with additions of tropical fruit, keeping balance as a priority - the goal is not sharp acidity but drinkability and harmony of flavors. Part of their production is dedicated to strong, barrel-aged beers: bourbon or wine barrels are used to create limited releases such as imperial stouts and quadrupels designed for slow sipping and tasting. The taproom within the brewery serves as a space for releasing small experimental batches that never reach wider distribution. Sibeeria represents a craft brewery that grows organically, driven by experimentation and curiosity, without compromising on quality - every beer must be honest, well-crafted, and true to the style they aim to express.Expand

Pivovar U Fleků is one of Prague’s oldest and most iconic breweries, with a brewing tradition dating back to 1499, when the property was first documented as belonging to maltster Vít Skřemenec. Located at Křemencova 11 in Prague’s New Town, it represents a rare example of a Central European brewery where beer has been brewed continuously for more than five centuries. The brewery takes its current name from Jakub Flekovský, who acquired the property in 1762. U Fleků functions as both a brewery and a historic beer hall, known for its traditional Czech atmosphere, large communal halls, and strong connection to Prague’s beer culture. Its signature product is Flekovský Tmavý Ležák 13°, a traditional dark lager brewed on-site and closely associated with the brewery’s identity. The beer is characterized by its dark color, rich malt-forward profile, subtle caramel notes, roasted undertones, and the balanced drinkability typical of Czech lager brewing. The complex also includes a brewery museum showcasing historic brewing equipment and the evolution of beer production through the centuries. Following nationalization during the communist era, the brewery was returned to the Brtník family in 1991. Today, Pivovar U Fleků remains an important cultural and gastronomic landmark, preserving Prague’s historic brewing heritage while continuing to serve as a living part of the city’s beer tradition.Expand

Pivovar Strahov, also known as the Strahov Monastery Brewery, is located within the historic Strahov Monastery complex in Prague, originally founded in 1142. The brewery continues a brewing tradition that dates back more than six centuries, with modern operations revived in 2000. Situated near Prague Castle, it has become a notable part of the city’s culinary and beer culture. Production is centered on a craft brewing approach that combines Czech brewing heritage with contemporary techniques and carefully selected ingredients. The brewery is best known for its St. Norbert range, featuring unfiltered and unpasteurized beers that reflect a more artisanal character. Its permanent portfolio includes styles such as Amber Lager, Dark Lager, and IPA, while seasonal and limited releases expand into styles like American Pale Ale, Chocolate Stout, and other specialty brews. Brewing relies on Czech malt, yeast, and quality hops, with techniques including dry hopping and barrel aging for selected releases. Much of the beer is served directly at the brewery’s restaurant, reinforcing its fresh, local identity. Pivovar Strahov represents a distinctive blend of monastic heritage, Czech brewing tradition, and modern craft beer innovation.Expand

Nachmelená Opice Brewery is a Czech craft brewery known for its unique and innovative approach to brewing beer. Located in Krnov, in the Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic, the brewery has built a reputation for producing high-quality, flavorful beers that appeal to both traditional beer lovers and those looking for modern craft beer styles.Expand

Plzeňský Prazdroj, known internationally as Pilsner Urquell, is the birthplace of pale lager beer and one of the most important breweries in the history of European brewing. Founded in 1842 in the Czech city of Plzeň, the brewery was established as a response by local citizens to the inconsistent quality of beer at the time. Its first brewmaster, Josef Groll, created a beer that would change the world - the first golden pilsner, crystal clear, refreshing, and perfectly balanced. This style quickly became a global standard, and today, over two-thirds of the world’s beers belong to the pilsner category. Pilsner Urquell is still brewed using traditional methods that are carefully preserved. The brewing process involves triple decoction mashing, a complex technique that gives the beer its full body and stable foam. Fermentation takes place in open fermentation vessels, and part of the beer continues to mature in oak barrels located in the authentic lagering cellars beneath the brewery. Today, the brewery is part of the Asahi Group, yet it maintains a strong local identity and a deep respect for its historical mission. In addition, Plzeňský Prazdroj is a significant cultural and tourist destination - visitors can tour the brewhouse, explore the underground cellars, participate in tastings, and experience a unique blend of tradition and modern brewing technology.Expand

České pivo is a term that refers to a variety of beers produced throughout the whole Czech Republic that have a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) mark. The mark is used by fourteen breweries in the country for more than 80 brands of beer, which is about 65% of the total domestic market. The first records of brewing beer of excellent quality in the country are connected to the Brevnov Monastery, where the monks produced beer all the way back in 993 AD. The beers are distinguished by the top-quality raw materials used in the process, the traditional methods of brewing, and the local know-how passed on from generation to generation. It is dominated by malt and hops, a bit of pasteurization and yeast and a medium to strong sharpness. The bitterness of the beer stays a bit longer on the palate, stimulating the taste buds for an extended period of time. The protected beers include pale and dark lagers, pale and dark draught beers, and light beers.Expand

Černá Hora is produced in the namesake municipality and in the oldest brewery in Moravia that dates from 1530. The beer comes in several varieties, which are all produced with traditional techniques and methods that have been present in the area from the 13th century. Two basic varieties include clean and hoppy light beers and moderately bitter dark beers. Specific styles include light lagers, light draught beer, unfiltered draught beer, dark lagers, and semi-dark draught beer. Caramel and coloring malt are used in the process to give the dark beers their typical caramel flavor and a delicate bitterness. All beers are low-fermentation and are recognized for their unique aromas and flavors.Expand

Chodské pivo has been produced in the historic Chodsko region (Plzeň) since the 12th century. It is made from locally sourced water with low mineral content, hops, malt, and yeast. Only Žatecký poloraný červeňák, Sládek, and Premiant hop varieties can be used in its production. Due to the two-stage fermentation process, lengthy maturation, and the choice of specific raw materials, Chodské pivo is golden, rich, and malty, while its flavor is slightly bitter and strong. This beer is held in high regard, and it was even supplied to the royal courts of Prague and Bavaria. The beer is bottled and casked with no artificial carbonation, and the entire production must be performed in the designated region. Chodské pivo has won many awards, and apart as an alcoholic beverage, it is also used in wellness tourism. Expand

Pilsner is a beer style that originated in Pilsen (Plzeň), a city in western Bohemia. It was first brewed in 1842, making it one of the youngest beer styles to appear in modern brewing. The style originated when the citizens of Pilsen, who grew unhappy with the quality of the beer, decided to build Bürger Brauerei (Citizens’ Brewery), which would later become Pilsner Urquell. They eventually brought a Bavarian brewmaster Josef Groll—who went to create the first pilsner brew. Although the initial idea was to create a Bavarian-style lager, the use of Czech ingredients influenced the emergence of a new style. The original pilsner, which was one of the first versions of a clear, light-colored beer, was made with light malted barley from Moravia and Saaz hops. The style was soon imitated across the world, with varying results. Nowadays, the official classifications divide the style into two main regional categories: Bohemian and German pilsner. Despite slight differences in style and numerous imitations around the world, the best pilsner examples will be crisp and refreshing, with a dominant hop character. In the Czech Republic, only beer from Pilsen is referred to as pilsner, while in Germany, the name that is most commonly used for pilsner brews is pils. Expand

Českobudějovické pivo is a moderately bitter beer produced in the Czech Republic. The water used in the preparation process must come from the underground lake of the České Budějovice Basin, the hops come from the Žatec area, and the malting barley is grown in the Moravia region. It comes as a lightly malty pale beer and as an intense dark version that has dominant roasted aromas. Due to the use of Žatec hops, the beer has a unique and pleasant taste, making it a very popular alcoholic drink in the country. The beer comes in five varieties: pale lager, Kräusened pale lager, pale draught, special beer, non-alcoholic beer, and dark lager. It has been brewed in the city of Ceské Budejovice since the 13th century and is best when paired with local Czech dishes such as sausages, sauerkrauts, and soups.Expand

Znojemské pivo is a beer produced in several varieties in the Znojmo area in the Czech Republic. It can be produced as a light or dark draught beer and a lager. Only three ingredients are used in the production process – barley malt, water, and hops. The water is provided by the city's supply system, while the hops are of the Žatecký poloraný červeňák and Magnum Hallertau varieties. The alcohol content varies depending on the style; light draughts range from 3,2 to 4,0%, dark draughts from 3,8 to 4,0%, and lagers from 4,5 to 5,0% ABV. Light draught beers are balanced and hoppy with medium to strong bitterness, while dark draughts are less bitter and have a malty, caramel-like flavor and aromas. The lagers are full-flavored, clean, sharp, and well-balanced. The first written reference of brewing in Znojmo dates from 1278, and the beer is still produced following the centuries-old local brewing tradition.Expand

Březnický ležák is a Czech-style pilsner that is produced in the Municipality of Březnice. It is a golden-colored beer with an alcohol content that ranges from 4.69 to 5.53% ABV. The taste is delicate and typically bitter, with a clean hoppy aroma and crisp flavor. The beer is made from malt, granulated hops of the Žatecký poloraný červeňák variety, hop extract, sugar, and water from local natural wells. The only current producer of this beer is the company called Pivovar Herold Březnice, which has been brewing it since 1999. Due to the high-quality spring water in the area, this beer is of exceptional quality and taste and cannot be compared to any other beer from the region. Březnický ležák would pair well with chicken, seafood, and cheese. Expand

Brněnské pivo refers to beer from Brno, the second-largest city in the Czech Republic, located in the South Moravian region. The term is a general designation for beers brewed in Brno, a city with a brewing tradition dating back to the 13th century. Brněnské pivo is a reflection of Brno’s deep-rooted brewing tradition, characterized by its high-quality lagers, rich flavors, and smooth drinkability. The beer from Brno is predominantly Czech-style pale lager (světlý ležák), brewed using Moravian barley, Saaz hops, soft water, and traditional bottom-fermentation methods that create a crisp, refreshing taste with a perfect balance of malt sweetness and hop bitterness. While it is not a specific brand, Brněnské pivo is often associated with local breweries, particularly Pivovar Starobrno, the most famous brewery in the city, founded in 1872, but with brewing roots stretching back to 1325. Other notable breweries in Brno include Pivovar Hauskrecht, known for its unfiltered traditional Czech lagers, and Pivovar Moravia, a revived historical brewery producing classic Czech lagers and specialty beers.Expand

Mlíko is a traditional Czech beer pour that fills the glass predominantly with wet foam, giving it the appearance of milk. This unique serving style, whose name translates to "milk" in Czech, involves slightly opening the tap to allow foam to fill the glass, with just a small amount of liquid beer at the bottom. The result is a creamy, sweet, and smooth texture, intended to be consumed quickly, much like a shot, to fully appreciate the hoppy aroma before the foam settles. Historically, mlíko was served as a dessert or an elegant drink for those who preferred a milder beer experience. While not commonly ordered for extended drinking sessions, it remains a special treat in Czech beer culture. Expand