Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Top 10 Czech Beers
Staropramen
The home-town favourite
has a light, fruity flavour.
Brewed in the Smíchov dis-
trict, its popularity owes as
much to marketing as it does
to local pride.
Pilsner Urquell
The best-known Czech
beer on the international
market comes from the town
of Plze∏, 80 km (50 miles)
southwest of Prague. It has a
strong, hoppy flavour.
Ovocné knedlíky
Vep∫oknedlozelo
This name is the shortened
version for
vep
∫
ová, knedlíky a
zelí
- pork, dumplings and
sauerkraut. Heavy on fat and low
on flavour, this is true Czech soul
food. Order it instead of goulash
and you'll impress your waiter
with how acclimatized you are,
assuming you pronounce it right,
of course.
Kru√ovice
Rudolph II established the
Kru√ovice brewery, which
produces this sweet and
somewhat flat beer. Try the
syrupy dark
(tmavé)
variety.
Budvar
Brewed in the town of
≥eské Bud∂jovice, the beer is
no relation to the American
Budweiser
(see p53)
.
Velkopopovick† Kozel
This strong, smooth beer is
well worth seeking out - some
consider it the world's finest.
Halu√ky
The Germans call these
coarse little noodles
Spaetzel
.
They're included in the Czech
culinary canon as a nod to
nearby Slovakia, from which they
originate and with whom
Bohemia has shared so much
history. You can either order
them
s zelím
(with sauerkraut) or
s bryndzou
(with a creamy, sharp
cheese). The dish is a filling and
cheap Eastern European
alternative to pasta.
Velvet
This sophisticated stout,
brewed by Staropramen, is
catching on in Prague.
Gambrinus
In light and dark varieties,
this is the best-selling beer in
the country.
Bernard
This unpasteurized beer
has a distinct, bitter-sweet
flavour and a hoppy aroma.
Rohlíky
The work-horse of the
Prague diet, these ubiquitous
banana-shaped bread rolls are
served up to accompany the
main meal at breakfast, lunch
and dinner. Dip them in soft
cheese or your dish's sauce,
spread them with pâté or order
them hot-dog style on nearly
every street corner.
Herold
Here's a twist: Americans
brewing beer in Bohemia. The
centuries-old recipe produces
a caramel, malty brew.
Braník
Braník is made with real
Vltava river water, giving it its
distinct flavour.
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