So here we are in České Budějovice another city another beer. České Budějovice (pronounced chesky bood-yo-vit-zah or simply 'Budweis') is the capital city of South Bohemia in southern Czech Republic. Surrounded by arcaded houses, the grand Přemysl Otakar II Square one of Europe's largest main squares is home to the baroque Samson’s Fountain and the Town Hall with 3 spires, and a charming labyrinth of narrow lanes and winding alleyways, some of which hug a sleepy but atmospheric canal. It's also the home of 'Budvar' beer (aka Czech 'Budweiser'), and a brewery tour usually tops the 'must-do' list. The Gothic-Renaissance Black Tower has views of the old town and Klet’ Mountain, southwest. Rebuilt many times, the nearby Church of St. Nicholas has baroque chapels and 3 naves. So thats Otto's potted history out of the way, onto the pub's and bar's of the city.
České Budějovice is home to 6 breweries (March 2022) so lets start with the most famous of them Budějovický Budvar;
Budějovický Budvar, Karolíny Světlé 512/4
Tours : Sun-Sat 9:00-17:00
Budweiser is the only remaining state owned brewery in the Czech Republic and you can see the difference compared to Pilsner Urquell. There is a good mixture of old equipment and new technology. They are still using full hop flowers instead of pellets. The brewhouse is beautiful and well structured. During the tour you can drink unfiltered and unpasteurized beer from the fermentation tank, a very special beer experience. The filling and bottling lines are quite modern. Overall a great brewery and a really good tour (70 min). The attached restaurant is pretty good too - unpasteurized beer and great food pared with friendly service.
Minipivovar Krajinská 27, Krajinská 235/27
Open: Mon-Fri 11-23:00 Sat 11-23:45 Sun-Closed
Located just a few hundred meters from main square this semi-minimalistic interior, pretty modern brew pub, with lamps made of bottles. Excellent service, great food and nice atmosphere. Pleasant outdoor seating area and tasty brews on tap. One of the best place's in České Budějovice. Otto's top tip the meal size is also very large, so if you're not as hungry, you might share one dish.
Solnice, Piaristické nám. 3
Open: Daily 11.00 - 23.00
This place is super cool. It's located in an 16th century building that has been tastefully renovated, now a brewery-restaurant over 2 floors with a large indoor-space and great garden to have a beer and traditional Czech food. Fabulous, knowledgeable and funny staff that actually pay attention to guests. Delicious beers (from my perspective, the 12° is really good and high bitterness suits it well, 11° is a lighter beer if you just want to have a chill). The design of the place is awesome, combining metal, wood, leather, porcelain and glass is not easy and here they brought it to perfection. Prices around the level you get in Prague, but quality is definitely present.
Singer Pub, Česká 7/55
Open: Mon-Fri 15-1, Sat-Sun 17-1
Located west of main square in the Old Town in Ceske Budejovice. This is a funky punky brew pub?. They have 2/3 of their own beers on tap anyway. Lot's of sewing machines and old tables and chairs. A cool place to have a beer and chill out, where locals, expats, students and travelers meet.
Budějovický Měšťanský Pivovar, Lidická tř. 458/51
Pivovar Samson a.s., formerly known as Bürgerliches Brauhaus Budweis is a brewery founded by mostly German-speaking burghers of the city of České Budějovice in the Kingdom of Bohemia. You can purchase the bottles in many places you need to contact them regarding tours?
Českobudějovický Minipivovar Kněžínek, Nové Dvory 2235
Open: Daily 11-11
A fairly large hotel, restaurant, brewery and conference center. They claim to be the first micro brewery in the Czech Republic? Located approx 10km of the city, but they do offer a minibus for around £4 (100czk) If you have questions, please contact their reception (+420 774 910 155, recepcerkc@seznam.cz ).
Klub Malých Pivovarů České Budějovice, Husova třida 103
Open; Mon-Tue 16-23, Wed 16-24, Thu 16-23, Fri 16-24, Sat 16-23, Sun-Closed
Located approx 1.5km North West of old town. It’s worth the walk along Husova Ave. You’ll find 12 TAPS, often 10 of them pour Czech micro-brews. A couple of easy barbecue dishes adds to the gourmet enjoyment. Plus it does not wear out your wallet at all. The atmosphere is a charming mishmash, with a fireplace, newly renovated bar area and (why not?) a disco ball in the spacious back room. Warm and friendly service, very much recommended place.
KMPCB Na Mlýnské stoce - Klub malých pivovarů, Na Mlýnské stoce 352/9
Open: Mon - Sat 15.00 - 24.00
A nice little basement bar by the Mlýnská stoka river. They have 12 taps, plus a few fridges with bottles and cans in another corner. Obviously a gathering place for local "beer geeks". The food is nice as well as the staff working there. Pretty much a should/must-visit while in the town center.
Žíznivá Gumovka, Panská 173/6
Open: Mon - Sat 16.00 - 23.00
A nice modern craft beer bar in a historic building, which is also one of the narrowest in the Czech Republic. Great service, very friendly and tolerant, clearly into craft beer. They have 8 taps, a good mix of lagers and a mix of top class modern styles, plus a well selected mix of bottles and cans too. Slightly higher prices, very limited choice of food, which in the end does not matter, because you go here for the beer 😃 Along with KMP (either or both), the essential bar to visit while in town.
Café Datel, Piaristická 22/8
Open: Daily 08.00 - 22.00
A magical place, but more coffee house than beer place? A popular local "hipsters" hang out with a cool atmosphere. Coffee is primary, getting special coffee from all over the place. Beer wise there are two taps of, yes, rare craft beers. The service is good, you get a glass of water when you sit down. It's a good place for having some beer. Beers are in good condition, the staff are polite and knowledgeable. Recommended place.
Potrefená Husa Beerpoint České Budějovice IGY , Pražská tř. 1247/24
Open: Mon-Thu 8-23:30, Fri 8-24, Sat 10-24, Sun 10-22:30
Located 800 meters North of the Old Town. Visible kegs behind green window in the desk, this is the Staropramen restruant in the city six for their beers good standard Czech food.
Budvarka - Hotel Malý Pivovar, Karla IV. 8 - 10.
Open: Mon-Thu 11-23, Fri-Sat 11-24, Sun 11-22
Located a few steps from the main square. A traditional interior with wooden panels and historic pictures, the old vaults combining nicely with more modern parts. Krouzkovane pivo/Kräusenbier is available here, as well as the rest of the Budvar range. The meals they offer are the usual suspects, but considering its location just off the main square, I think the prices are fair. I think when in České Budějovice, this is the bar you have to visit. The beer is excellent. But watch out: once you’ve emptied the glass, it is automatically and immediately replaced by a new one. Staff were effective.
U Modrého Lva Pivotéka, Plachého 276/27
Open: Mon-Fri 10:30-18:30, Sat 10:30-14:30
A little shop with some Czech beers from the local area and some not that interesting international imports. Very helpful staff. Worth a visit if you are in Budejovice.
I hope you find this of some help if you ever visit, Na zdraví Otto
R.I.P.
Life is Dream, Kněžská 330/31
Very nice looking restaurant quite a unique place, with many rooms and their own brews. Perfect, polite service. Great food. For CZ standards high price level. But worth it!