http://www.praguebeergarden.com/ Pub Section en sarahkunkler@yahoo.com Copyright 2012 2012-01-07T11:14:49+00:00 http://www.praguebeergarden.com/pubs/post/u-houbare http://www.praguebeergarden.com/pubs/post/u-houbare#When:11:16:36Z The taps of the best Pilsner pubs are something legendary on the streets of Prague. And few pubs meet the task of serving this golden lager the way it was meant to be. In 2010, U Houbare won the award for Best Pilsner Urquell Pub, a prestigious award which faces stiff competition and the highest of standards. In previous years, U Houbare is usually voted one of 10 best Pilsner pubs in Prague. U Houbare’s golden taps serve of course Pilsner Urquell 12°, Kozel Tmavy (dark lager), and Gambrinus 10°, so you have 3 fresh lagers to choose from. With professional old style Czech service, your expertly poured mug won’t be left empty. The menu offers traditional Czech food, like goulash, svickova, fried cheese (smazeny hermelin or eidam), and fried chicken (kureci rizek) in large portions and all prepared well. Frequented by devout local Pilsner fans, Czech and tourists alike, U Houbare attracts individuals of all ages. Decorated with traditional Czech beer memorbilia, this wooden walled pub has an authentic and charming pub atmosphere. This isn’t the largest pub, with a large entry way where local fans stand and sip their Pilsner, and two other rooms, which one of which is pleasantly non-smoking. In the evenings, U Houbare fills up quickly, so consider making reservations.Various Breweries Pilsner Urquell, pale lager - 12° Gambrinus, pale lager - 10° Kozel Tmavy, dark lager - 10° Adress: Dukelskych hrdinu 30, 150 00 Prague 7 - Holesovice Contact: +420 720 625 923 Website: www.uhoubare.cz Holesovice, Gambrinus, Kozel, Pilsner Urquell, 2012-01-21T11:16:36+00:00 http://www.praguebeergarden.com/pubs/post/mad-bar http://www.praguebeergarden.com/pubs/post/mad-bar#When:11:14:49Z There are few places in Prague that have a unique and upbeat atmosphere, friendly service, good food, and, most importantly, a noteworthy beer- and Mad Bar it is. With Zlata Labut on tap, and delicious Tex-Mex on the menu, you almost can’t go wrong. They serve 4 beers: Budweiser 12°, Pardal 10°, and most importantly, one dark and one light beer from Pivovarsky Dvur Zvikov, one of our favorite Czech breweries. According to their menu, they often change which beers are on tap from Zvikov; so, you might have a chance to try anything from their amazing Pale Ale to a fresh light lager. Affordably priced, their normal menu is rather small, but good; they offer Tex-Mex inspired cuisine, Italian pasta dishes, fresh salads, a few Czech dishes, and vegetarian options. Playing upbeat music, and well decorated, Mad Bar is trendy popular hangout. Mad Bar isn’t the largest bar- just two rooms, and with a downstairs that is only occasionally opened for special events, reservations are suggested. If you’re hungry and in the neighborhood around lunch time, they serve a great lunch menu. Take trams 12, 20, 22, 9, 6, to Ujezd tram stop in Mala Strana.Various Breweries Zlata Labut, unfiltered pale lager - 13° Zlata Labut, pale lager 11 Budejovicky Budvar, pale lager - 12° Pardal, pale lager - 11° Adress: Plaska 5, 150 00 Praha 5 - Mala Strana Contact: +420 775 122 256, +420 257 219 855 Website: www.madbar.cz Mala Strana, Budvar, Zlata Labut, Party Pubs, 2012-01-07T11:14:49+00:00 http://www.praguebeergarden.com/pubs/post/zluta-pumpa http://www.praguebeergarden.com/pubs/post/zluta-pumpa#When:13:36:10Z For fans of Mexican food, Zluta Pumpa is a great place to drink good Czech beer and have an affordable and fun meal. Serving Svijany Kvasnicak, Rychtar 11°, Staropramen Nefiltrovany (unfiltered), Pilsner, and Hoegaarden. You can eat anything from burritos, fajitas, quesadillas, chicken wings, and nachos, including many vegetarian options, in a brightly decorated and up-beat restaurant/pub. All prices are friendly for your wallet. Zluta Pumpa is a popular spot, and quite often full in the evenings, so consider making reservations. Mostly frequented by younger people, there are also quite a few cocktails to choose from for non-beer drinkers. Located in the picturesque neighborhood of Vinohrady, Zluta Pumpa is on Belgicka street close to Namesti Miru. Take the green line or trams 22, 10, 16, or 4 to stop Namesti Miru, and walk about 5 minutes.Various Breweries Pilsner Urquell, pale lager - 12° Svijany Kvasnicak, pale lager - 13° Staropramen Nefiltrovany, unfiltered pale lager - 12° Hoegaarden Address: Belgická 11, 12000 Prague 2 - Vinohrady Contact: +420 608 184 360 Website: www.zluta-pumpa.info Vinohrady, Pilsner Urquell, Staropramen, Svijany, Party Pubs, 2011-12-11T13:36:10+00:00 http://www.praguebeergarden.com/pubs/post/pivovarsky-dvur-chyne-pubs http://www.praguebeergarden.com/pubs/post/pivovarsky-dvur-chyne-pubs#When:07:11:31Z History and Beer Just outside of Prague to the south-west, is Pivovarsky Dvur Chyne, an excellent brewery and restaurant that will light up every Czech beer fan’s eyes. Brewing some special beer, always unfiltered and unpasteurized with that special, alive taste that only comes from the freshest brewer’s yeast, Pivovarsky Dvur Chyne is well known among beer lovers, Czechs and foreigners alike. In the autumn of 1992, Pivovarsky Dvur Chyne first served their beer, becoming one of the first microbreweries in the Czech Republic. Always having on tap their 10° svetly (light), 12° polotmavy (amber), and 14° cerny (cerny), Pivovarsky Dvur Chyne is also known for brewing some more adventurous beers, like ales and ginger beer. Prague BeerGarden thinks their 10° svetly (light) is one of the best 10° existing today, and their polotmavy (amber) 12° is delicious as well. Restaurant and Brewery There are two buildings on the premises; the first, and largest, is their restaurant. With a spacious interior, large wooden tables, stone walls, and a medieval theme, the interior is charming and conducive to beer drinking. Behind the main building, is the ‘Krcma’, which is a small, cozy pub, with only a few tables and a fireplace. Underneath layers of dust, dried hops, and antiques, the Krcma offers visitors a chance to experience old Czech culture, at its finest. If you’re lucky, some local patrons will be playing their accordions, singing old folk songs while enjoying their daily dose of vitamins. Both places serve food; the restaurant has an extensive menu of traditional Czech cuisine, including everything from goulash and svickova to rabbit and roasted pork knee. The Krcma serves simpler cuisine, and snacks to go along with your beer. Prices in the restaurant are a little higher than your normal Czech restaurant. Throughout the year, there are also festivals, serving either a particular food, or celebrating a Czech holiday. While both restaurants serve the 10° light, 12° polotmavy, and 14° tmavy, each restaurant will have an additional beer on tap, and it might be different in both places. Service is friendly and quick, you won’t be left thirsty. Services and Activities They also offer accommodation- there are 2 flats which can be rented, in case you drink too much and miss your bus back to Prague. In the summers, there is a large garden, perfect for cyclers (there are bike paths nearby). For children, there is an outdoor playground for nice weather, and in the restaurant, there is a large area full of toys.  How to get there Pivovarsky Dvur Chyne is located in the village of Chyne, just outside of Prague close to Zlicin. Getting there can be a bit complicated, and bus routes and times change- so be sure to check www.idos.cz for the best way. Buses 347 and 358 are your best bet- but they don’t run often. Bus 347 can also be taken to/from Bila Hora (the end stop of tram 22, within Prague). Get off at the stop ‘Pivovarsky Dvur’, and the brewery is right there. If getting to Chyne is too much of a challenge, we recommend visiting their partner restaurant in Zizkov on Husitska St., also called Pivovarsky Dvur Chyne.Pivovarsky Dvur Chyne Pivovarsky Dvur Chyne Svetly, pale lager - 10° Pivovarsky Dvur Chyne Polotmavy, amber lager - 12° Pivovarsky Dvur Chyne Cerny - dark lager special - 14° Pivovarsky Dvur Chyne Zlata - pale lager special - 17° Address: Hlavní 525, 253 01 Chýně Contact: +420 311 670 075 Website: www.pivovarskydvur.cz Prague Outskirts, Czech Republic, P. Dvur Chyne, Beer Gardens, 2011-11-23T07:11:31+00:00 http://www.praguebeergarden.com/pubs/post/u-balbinu http://www.praguebeergarden.com/pubs/post/u-balbinu#When:12:19:22Z Just around the corner from Narodni Trida in the center of Prague, is U Balbinu, a traditional Czech pub with good beer, tasty food, and a fun, up-beat atmosphere. U Balbinu is divided into two parts; their upstairs is a restaurant, serving traditional Czech dishes, and their downstairs is more like pub, which also serves food, and has a louder, lively, atmosphere. Upstairs, there are two beers on tap- Pilsner Urquell, and Balbinova povolebni 12°, their own dark beer, which is one of our favorite dark lagers. Downstairs, there are 6 beers on tap: Pilsner, Balbinova povolebni 12°, Otakar 11°, Paulaner Hefe-Weisslen Naturtrub, Dellrium Tremens Matur, and Master Polotmavy 13°. Both upstairs and downstairs are spacious, with large, wooden tables. The interior is decorated to feel like a traditional Czech brewery, with stone walls, copper mashers for brewing, and cast iron chandeliers. Showing popular sports events, and having special menus for Czech holidays, U Balbinu is popular amongst the locals and tourists alike. Therefore, we recommend making a reservation before hand. Service is friendly and quick. U Balbinu’s beer is brewed at Richter brewery U Bulovky, located in Liben, Prague 8. Close to I.P Pavlova, there are two other Balbinova pubs which also serve the their beer. Read our review of Balbinova Hospudka ‘Naproti’. Various Breweries Pilsner Urquell, pale lager - 12° Balbinova povolebni, dark lager - 12° Otakar, pale lager - 11° Master Polotmavy, amber lager - 13° Paulaner Hefe-Weisslen Naturtrub Dellrium Tremens Matur Address: Jungmannova 22, 10100 Prague 1 - Nove Mesto Contact: +420 226 804 980 Website: ubalbinu.cz Nove Mesto, M. Pivovar Policce, Pilsner Urquell, Richter Brewery, Sports Bars, 2011-11-19T12:19:22+00:00 http://www.praguebeergarden.com/pubs/post/klasterni-pivovar http://www.praguebeergarden.com/pubs/post/klasterni-pivovar#When:12:20:08Z Located just behind the Prague Castle is one of Prague’s best mini-breweries, Klasterni Pivovar, also called Strahov Monastic Brewery. Today, Klasterni Pivovar is known for brewing rich, classic Czech lagers, a great IPA, as well as special seasonal brews. Serving fine food, and with a lively, classic Czech pub atmosphere, Klasterni Pivovar is popular among both Czechs and tourists alike. History Klasterni Pivovar’s history begins long ago. Housed in a building which was founded by King Vladislav II in 1142, the first records of this brewery appear in the 13th and 14th centuries. As brewing progressed, Abbot Kaspar Questenberg decided to build a new and completely functioning brewery in 1698. The foundation of this first brewery is where the restaurant is currently located. Closing in 1907, the brewery didn’t open again until 2000, when it underwent a complete restoration, and began to resemble what you can experience today. Beer There are 3 beers which are always on tap at Klasterni Pivovar: Sv.Norbert Amber, Sv.Norbert Dark, and our favorite, Sv.Norbert IPA. All beers are unfiltered, and served perfectly fresh and cold. Seasonal beers are also available throughout the year. For example, during the spring they brew a wheat ale and at Christmas they tap a very unique and potent Christmas ale. These aren’t the only special beers brewed at Klasterni Pivovar- having a creative brew master, they’ve come up with a few other varieties, which appear occasionally in the restaurant or even make it to some beer festivals. However- these beers are brewed in limited quantities, and run out quickly. Brewing just 1,400 hectoliters a year, Klasterni Pivovar is a small operation, which is content to offer great beer made from quality ingredients, and isn’t focused on expanding their operation. Brewery and Restaurant Klasterni Pivovar’s large complex is divided into 3 main parts: the courtyard, which is great place to enjoy your beer in pleasant weather, St.Norbert restaurant which is non-smoking, and the brewery itself, which is more of a pub atmosphere. The menu consists of traditional Czech dishes, prepared well, and which use ingredients from local Czech producers. Prices are more than your average restaurant, but then again, your average Czech restaurant doesn’t have this great beer, or this delicious food. Service is friendly and professional, and the staff speaks English well. How to Get There Brewery tours are available on an individual basis, just contact the brewery. The brewmaster also does beer tastings, and Klasterni Pivovar is well equipped to host events for companies or large groups. To reach Klasterni Pivovar, take tram 22 or 25 to Pohorelec, and walk up the hill 200 meters to the Strahov Monastic Brewery. Various Breweries Sv.Norbert Specialni Polotmave, amber lager - 13° Sv.Norbert Specialni Tmave, dark lager - 14° Sv.Norbert Specialni IPA, indian pale ale - 16° Address: Strahovské nádvoří 301/10, 118 00 Prague 1 - Hradčany Contact: +420 233 353 155 Website: www.klasterni-pivovar.cz Mala Strana, Klasterni Pivovar, Beer Gardens, 2011-11-06T12:20:08+00:00 http://www.praguebeergarden.com/pubs/post/prvni-pivni-tramway http://www.praguebeergarden.com/pubs/post/prvni-pivni-tramway#When:19:54:34Z At the end of tram 11, you’ll find an unusual little pub which has made Czech beer history. Years ago, most Czech pubs served beer only from one brewery. On the 17th of March 1997, Prvni Pivni Tramway opened with 3 beers on tap- Pilsner Urquell, Gambrinus, and Guinness. In the spring of 2004, Prvni Pivni Tramway revolutionized Czech pubs, and began their ‘4 tap’ philosophy. This unique idea meant that they would always serve 3 beers on tap, and with the 4th tap, they would rotate their selection of beers from Czech microbreweries, including beers that were otherwise not available in pubs. In the beginning, Murphy’s Red Stout was replaced by Primator Weizenbier, and their 4th tap continued to offer beers from the Primator brewery. Today, Prvni Pivni Tramway has expanded to a total of 6 taps which serve fresh quality beer that you would expect from only the best Czech pubs. The 3 beers that are always on tap are Pilsner, Pardal, and Primátor Weizenbier. The 3 changing taps feature beers from smaller outstanding Czech breweries. In the past, they’ve served some great beers on their guest taps, from breweries like Kocour and Matuska. If you have the chance, we’d also recommend trying their Tramway Ale, which is a great 11° ale exclusively brewed for Prvni Pivni Tramway. Prvni Pivni Tramway has a very special atmosphere. Decorated with old wooden tram seats, rock and roll posters, some special art by a local beer fan, and other Czech memorabilia, Prvni Pivni Tramway is a happy home to lovers of Czech beer, and the occasional expats who venture into Sporilov for something new. The service is professional and efficient- that is, you won’t be left thirstily waiting for a refill. The staff doesn’t speak much English, but are very friendly and helpful, and can recommend some good beers to try. The only negative aspect of this pub is that it’s a smoking pub. In case you’re hungry, Prvni Pivni Tramway has an extensive menu with all sorts of beer snacks and typical Czech meals, which are tasty, filling, and affordable. Consider making reservations, as this little pub fills up fast on a busy evening. They also have a wide selection of Kocour bottled beers, and their Tramway Ale for purchase. The easiest way to get to Prvni Pivni Tramway is to take tram 11, all the way to the end stop Sporilov. Buses 118, 121, 135, 136 stop there as well. Various Breweries Tramway Ale, ale - 11° Kocour- Hoppy Cat, baltic porter - 13° Berounsky Medved Zlaty Kun, lager - 11° Pilsner Urquell, pale lager- 12° Pardal, pale lager - 10° Primator Weizenbier, German hefeweizen - 12° První Pivní Tramway always has 6 beers on tap, which changes frequently. See which beers they are offering currently on their website.Adress: Na Chodovci 1a, 140 00 Prague 4 - Záběhlice Contact: +420 272 765 683 Website: www.prvnipivnitramway.cz Zabehlice, Budvar, Kocour, Lobkowicz, Pilsner Urquell, Pivovar Matuska, Richter Brewery, 2011-10-30T19:54:34+00:00 http://www.praguebeergarden.com/pubs/post/zubaty-pes-odd-dog http://www.praguebeergarden.com/pubs/post/zubaty-pes-odd-dog#When:19:52:07Z For beer fans whose taste venture beyond Czech boarders, Zubaty Pes is great place to try. With 15 beers on tap, 5 or 6 of which are foreign beers, and the rest being some of the best Czech beers, you’re sure to find a few that suit your liking. Some of the beers on tap here can’t be found anywhere else in the Czech Republic, such as BrewDog, which comes from Scotland. They also regularly have beer from Mikkeller, a unusual and top notch Danish brewery, and Nøgne Ø, a high quality Norwegian brewery. For their Czech breweries, they do a great job of representing old and new beer culture; they usually have something from Matuska, who’s always brewing up something new, and Kout na Sumave, a classic South Bohemian brewery. Their taps change often too- so there is always something new to try. And, if you’re an ale fan a bit blue about being in the land of lager, Zubaty Pes will have some ale to cheer you up.  Being true beer connoisseurs, Zubaty Pes has top quality taps, and serving fresh tasting beer. Frequented by a diverse crowd of beer lovers, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the pub’s interior is clearly brand new. Their pub has 3 floors- there is a smaller upstairs, the main floor with quite a few seats around the bar, and a downstairs. They also serve small beer snacks in case you’re hungry. Service is efficient, and quite often someone there speaks English. Located in Prague 10, take trams 24, 7, or 6 to Obloukova or buses 106, 124, or 139 to Ukrainjska. This location isn’t too far off the beaten path- and is completely worth it.  Various Breweries Matuska Fastball, pale ale - 9° BrewDog Sorachi Ace, single Hop IPA - 16°(Scotland) Uneticky Lezak, unfiltered pale lager, 12° Mikkeller Koppi, IPA - 15°(Denmark) Nøgne Ø Pale Ale, pale ale - 14°(Norway) Zubaty Pes always has 15 beers on tap, which changes frequently. See which beers they are offering currently in their Beer Menu.Adress: Petrohradská 216/3, 101 00 Prague 10 - Vrsovice Contact: +420 723 863 160 Website: www.zubatypes.cz Vrsovice, BrewDog, Kocour, Kout na Sumave, Mikkeller, Nøgne Ø, 2011-08-24T19:52:07+00:00 http://www.praguebeergarden.com/pubs/post/u-buldoka http://www.praguebeergarden.com/pubs/post/u-buldoka#When:11:08:08Z One of the few Prague pubs serving Zlata Labut beer from Pivovarsky Dvur Zvikov is U Buldoka. With a restaurant and disco downstairs, this pub is a popular place for having some good beer and food, or to begin a fun night out. U Buldoka always has Zlata Labut 11° on tap, as well as another Zvikov beer, and Pilsner Urquell. If you’re hungry, U Buldoka serves some pretty tasty food, at decent prices. Their menu has typical Czech food, from duck with cabbage and dumplings, fried chicken, to beef steaks, ribs, and burgers. They also have a large list of snack food for beer drinking, such as grilled hermelin cheese and homemade potato chips. Service is quick, and the beer taps are well kept- you’re sure to get a good, fresh beer.  U Buldoka is a Czech style sports bar, showing popular sport events on their large TVs. The interior is decorated with football banners and other sports memorabilia. The crowd varies, but tends to be young and up beat. Located underneath the pub, is a dance club, which plays a mix of music and has a diverse younger crowd. Located just around the corner from Andel, take trams 4, 7, 10, 14, 16 to Zborovska tram stop.Various Breweries Zlata Labut, pale lager - 11° Pilsner Urquell, pale lager - 12° Radegast Birell, non-alcoholic beer Adress: Preslova 1, 150 00 Praha 5 - Smichov Contact: +420 257 329 154 Website: www.ubuldoka.cz/ Smichov, Pilsner Urquell, Zlata Labut, Party Pubs, Sports Bars, 2011-08-14T11:08:08+00:00 http://www.praguebeergarden.com/pubs/post/jihometsky-pivovar http://www.praguebeergarden.com/pubs/post/jihometsky-pivovar#When:09:27:20Z Located in Jizni Mesto (South Town), amongst a sea of ‘panelaky’ (block housing), is Jihometsky Pivovar, a beacon for all thirsty beer enthusiasts. This is a large, newly renovated beer hall- it’s got a spacious interior, and a fun pub atmosphere. The guests of Jihometsky Pivovar vary in all shapes and sizes, but are mostly local, young to middle-aged Czechs. They have at least 4 beers on tap, all of them are unfiltered and unpasterized. Their most famous, and our favorite is Jihometsan 11° polo lezak (amber lager). They also have a svetly lezak (light) 12° and tmavy (dark) 14°, and a weissbeer (wheat beer). At the time of our visit, we also noticed 2 more special beers on tap. To go along with your beer, Jihometsky Pivovar has a fantastic menu of traditional Czech food with a contemporary twist. Portions are rather large, and everything we saw during our visit looked delicious. We tried ‘candat’ (zander, something like pike-perch) and ‘veprovy panenka’ (pork tenderloin) with romadur cheese and bacon, which were great. If you’re a fish fan, and not enthusiastic about carp, the zander (candat) here is really great. Prices range from 150-200 czk on average for a meal, and considering the size and quality, it’s quite a good deal. Service is friendly. We recommend making reservations before venturing all the way to Haje- this place is extremely popular and there aren’t any places this nice in the neighborhood. Check out their website too- they have special events, and djs and bands playing occasionally. You can also see on their website their lunch menu, and which new beers they have on tap. Take the red (C) line to the last stop Haje. Walk in the direction of ‘Modry Skola’ street about 5 minutes. Jihometsky Pivovar Jihoměšťan polotmavý ležák, amber lager - 11° Světlý Ležák, pale lager - 12° Jihoměstský Hefeweißbier, wheat beer - 12° Tmavý speciál, dark lager special - 14° Bock, amber bock - 16° Salvator Doppel Bock, dark doppelbock - 19° Adress: Podjavorinské 11, 149 00 Praha 4 - Chodov Contact: +420 222 352 242 Website: www.jihomestskypivovar.cz Chodov, Jihomestsky Pivovar, 2011-04-24T09:27:20+00:00