Prague Pub Culture
Why is Beer so Much a Part of Czech Culture?
Beer has always played an important role in Czech culture, particularly in the city of Prague, where there are over 800 pubs, many of them dating back hundreds of years. Like a fine wine to a Californian or a Cosmopolitan to a New Yorker, a good beer is essential to a Czech, whether he’s eating out, meeting with a friend, or relaxing by himself.
Beer is so important to Czech’s that it’s often one of the first things considered when planning a restaurant or pub menu. Foods served depend a lot on what kinds of beers are available. And while, like in any city, Prague locals have their fair share of favorite brews, the city enjoys variety so the kinds of beers available range based on the season and price.
Though many of the bars in Prague have been updated to accommodate today’s trends, some of the most popular pubs are those that have been around for hundreds of years. What really sets Prague pubs apart from the rest is the beer that is served. Beer has been important to Czech culture since 1118, when the country’s first beer was brewed. Since then, the drink has only grown in popularity and the Czech Republic currently has the highest beer consumption per capita in the world.
But what makes beer so popular? It’s not just the quality and taste, but the lifestyle that’s associated with the brew. The Czech’s certainly work hard, but they play hard too. In the Czech Republic and particularly in Prague, a cold beer at the end of the day (or at lunch for that matter) represents an enjoyable break from reality. Beer is not only a social drink, but one to be enjoyed alone as well, without the taboo of drinking too much.
Prague pub culture is very laid back and it’s not unusual for a couple or group to enter a pub and take a seat in the empty chairs open at a table where others are already sitting. Though the city is known for being very enlightened and educational, the pubs aren’t stuffy or uptight and tend to offer a more comfortable atmosphere for those who want a break from discussion, reading or school.
Tags: Prague
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