Showing posts with label Drink. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Drink. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

The Best Czech Products - #2 Kofola


In our series "The Best Czech Products" we introduce the finest, most famous and traditional brands or products made in the Czech Republic. All products in this series are considered as national treasures by the Czechs themselves and you can be sure to get the top quality for you or your friends and family.

The first post of our series was all about Czech national drink, world-known beer Pilsner Urquell. And today we'll take a look at our national soft drink, legendary Kofola!


Story of Kofola started back in 1950s when Dr. Zdeněk Blažek and his team were given a tricky task of developing a beverage that would compete with Western cola sodas that were not available in Czechoslovakia during the communist rule from 1948 to 1989. It took them two years before they came up with the optimal ingredients for the Kofo syrup, which served as the basis of the new drink. Among other things it consisted of fourteen herbal or fruit ingredients (e.g., licorice) and caffeine.

The Kofola started selling in 1960 and it soon became very popular. So popular that in the late 1960s, Czechoslovakia ran out of the herbs and it had to be imported. After an enormous success at the Ex Plzeň food trade fair, Kofola's popularity peaked. Conferences of experts were organized and Kofola appeared in the names of many events. More than 180 million liters (47 million gallons) were produced annually.



But sweet candy times ended with the fall of the Iron Curtain. Previously unavailable American sodas flooded local market and Kofola almost disappeared for the whole 1990s. It changed its owners several times. But 1998 was the year of the great events. Czech ice-hockey team won the Olympic gold and Kofola finally found a new owner. It was bought by the Greek family of Samaras and their company Santa.

Starting with the new millennium Kofola was reborn and started another great journey lasting to these days. With the help of genius marketing it has become a real legend among Czech soft drinks. In 2001 Kofola came up with the slogan "If you love her there's no other needs" (Když ji miluješ, není co řešit) and it was a huge hit. The company had very clever commercials everyone remembered and quoted. The most popular one with a cute little girl and a "golden pig" started before Christmas in 2003 and people in the Czech Republic can't imagine Christmas without this spot even today. Another popular commercial featured dog Phteven known from memes.


In 2006 Kofola was more popular than famous American brands in the Czech Republic. Good news is that Kofola has almost one-third less sugar and up to half less caffeine than classic cola drinks. In 2004 Kofola introduced first special flavor, citrus. Since then consumers could have tasted more than 20 different flavors including guarana, watermelon, coconut, almond or cinnamon.

Scotland has Irn-Bru, France has Orangina, South Korea has Milkis, USA has Coca-Cola and the Czech Republic has Kofola. This soft drink has become a real legend, and no one should really leave without tasting it or getting a few bottles for friends or family.

Best enjoyed: Visit one of the restaurants serving draft Kofola
Gift ideas: 0.25 l cans, 0.33 l glass or 0.5/1/1.5/2 l plastic bottles
Where to buy: Plastic bottles and cans can be bought in almost every grocery shop in Prague
Price: 0.5 l bottles usually for 15-20 CZK (0.6-0.8 EUR)

Thursday, September 21, 2017

The Best Multitap Beer Bars In Prague


Thanks to its cheap alcohol and beer cheaper than water, Prague is one of the major nightlife cities in Europe. We have already introduced you the best microbreweries or bars in Prague and now you will discover the best multitap beer bars in Prague! Beer is the Czech national drink, a part of Czech culture. And Prague is the beer capital of the world, no doubt about it. In this city, most tourists drink Pilsner Urquell, original Czech Budweiser Budvar or (if they read our post) beers from Prague's microbreweries. But if you want to taste true gems, visit one of the multitap beer bars! These beer pubs offer usually over 5 different tap beers from both small and large (mostly Czech) breweries and they change them almost every day! Some of the pubs offer more than 20 craft beers! Beer tasting heaven, Mecca for beer lovers! Some of them are easily accesible on foot but most multitap beer bars are not located in a historical center and you will need to take a tram, subway or taxi to get there. But it's worth it! And don't forget to book a table!!!

1. Zlý časy


One of the most unique beer pubs in Prague. The pub is divided into three sections and every day you can taste 48 different tap beers from many microbreweries! You can also get delicious burgers and Czech dishes. Take tram no. 18 at the National Theatre and get off at Náměstí Bratří Synků station.

Google rating: 4,4/5
Address: Čestmírova 5, Prague 4
Website: www.zlycasy.eu (only in Czech)

2. Kulový blesk


You will really love this one! Located close to I.P. Pavlova subway station, Kulový blesk offers almost 30 tap beers every day! You can try their classic Czech beer snacks and burgers or ribs in the evening. You can easily get there by tram no. 22 from the National Theatre or red (C) metro line.

Google rating: 4,4/5
Website: www.restauracekulovyblesk.cz (only in Czech)

3. Pivovarský klub


6 exclusive beers on tap and more than 200 bottled beers. Great beer pub with a great atmosphere. Don't hesitate to taste traditional Czech dishes and grilled specials. The pub is located not far from Florenc subway station, take the yellow (B) line from Národní třída or Náměstí republiky. Or take a nice 20 minutes' walk from the city center.

Google rating: 4,5/5

4. Dno pytle


This cozy beer pub is located in Vinohradská street. You can choose from 8 different tap beers - delicious and unique beers from Czech or Bavarian microbreweries. If you are hungry, order a small beer snack (sausages, pates and others). Take a tram to Vinohradská tržnice stop or go to Jiřího z Poděbrad subway station - green line (A).

Google rating: 4,3/5
Website: www.dnopytle.cz (only in Czech)

5. Zubatý pes


If you like a great choice of tap beers, go to Zubatý pes! Although it's a little further from the city center you will really like it. 15 unique beers on tap - not only the Czech ones but from many other countries. You can also get grilled sausage, nachos or spicy salami with your beer. 

Google rating: 4,6/5
Website: www.zubatypes.cz

6. BeerGeek Bar


One of the biggest choice of tapped craft beer in Prague, that's BeerGeek. They have 32 taps, preffering craft beers. You can taste more than 5 new beers every day! You can also get their chicken wings, sandwiches or quesadillas. The beer bar is located very close to Jiřího z Poděbrad subway station - green line (A).

Google rating: 4,5/5
Website: www.beergeek.cz

6. Poctivej výčep


The name can be translated as "Honest pub". At really is! The staff really knows everything about beer and the beers they offer are always very special and delicious. Every day guests choose from 5 craft beers. Go from Muzeum to Kobylisy station - red line (C).

Google rating: 4,9/5
Website: www.poctivejvycep.webnode.cz (only in Czech)

7. Pivní šenk U Kacíře


In Mánesova street, close to Jiřího z Poděbrad metro station in Vinohrady district, you can find a nice little pub. From monday to saturday U Kacíře offers at least 6 tap beers from small regional breweries and microbreweries. You can also get a sausage, brawn or pickled cheese.

Google rating: 4,5/5
Website: www.pivnisenk.cz

8. Prague Beer Museum


Thanks to its location in a center of Prague and a huge choice of tap beer Prague Beer Museum is one of the best known multitap beer pubs. Every day you can taste 30 beers, mix of famous Czech brands and microbreweries. You can find it only 2 minutes' walk from the Charles Bridge and 5 minutes from the Residence Karolina!

Our rating: 4,2/5
Website: www.praguebeermuseum.cz

9. Pivo a párek


You can translate its name as "Beer and sausage". And that's exactly what you'll get! Choose from at least 6 delicious tap beers from microbreweries and enjoy their sausages, pickled cheese, bacon and other beer snacks! The pub is located in Žižkov district - take tram no. 9 at the National Theatre and go to Lipanská stop.

Google rating: 4,5/5
Website: www.facebook.com/Pivo-a-párek

10. Pípa Beer Story


Only 1 minute from our Residence Masna and 3 minutes from the Old Town Square you can visit this great multitap beer pub. Nice selection of 8 tap beers every day and more than 160 bottled beers. In Pípa Beer Story they also specialize in pairing great beer snacks and cheese with beer. 

Our rating: 4,2/5
Website: www.pivotekapipa.cz

11. Království piva


Kingdom of Beer! Or my kingdom for a beer? Why not when the beer is so good. They brew their own beer and offer another 5 tap craft beers. As always, you can also order a sausage, brawn, pickled cheese and other beer snacks. And how to get there? Take a metro to Hradčanská station (green line A) and walk 5 minutes to the pub.

Our rating: 4,5/5
Website: www.kralovstvipiva.com


What multitap beer bar do you like the most? Or do you know any other great pubs with a great selection of craft beers? Let us know in comments!

Monday, January 30, 2017

7 Prague Microbreweries You Must Visit


The Czech Republic is a land of beer, everybody knows that. But the Czech beer is not all about Pilsner Urquell, Budweiser or Staropramen. There is more than 380 breweries in the country and this number increases every year, mostly thanks to microbreweries. These small breweries are very popular lately amongst Czechs, especially those who are tired of drinking same brands over and over and want to try something different. Good news for Prague visitors - you can even find microbreweries with their own restaurants in a center of Prague! Let's take a look at them.

1. Pivovar Národní


Just 2 minutes walk from our Residence Karolina, next to the National Theatre, you will find a new brewery Pivovar Národní opened in 2015. It brews its own beer Czech Lion - you can choose from 3 different beers - 11° pilsner pale lager, 11° unfiltered lager or special 13° semi-dark lager. With the beer you can order Czech specials and grilled meals like duck breast with cherry sauce, grilled pork neck steak marinated in beer or beef flank steak. Even though the interior is spacious and it has two floors it can get quite busy (mostly on Fridays and Saturdays) - table booking is recommended.


2. Pivovar U Medvídků


Famous brewery U Medvídků has been brewing its beer since the 15th century. They say they are the smallest brewery in Prague with the strongest beer in the world. Their beer selection is truly impressive - you can taste unfiltered lagers, 12° wheat beer, special dark beer with extra roast barley, 15° special light beer, 13° semi-dark lager Oldgott or the strongest beer in the world X-BEER 33 fermented in oak barrels for a period of 200 day. You should also try other specials - a beer ice-cream made from their Oldgott lager, a unique beer brandy Pivovice X40 or a beer chocolate. Of course you can also taste traditional Czech dishes or buy a bottled beer as a souvenir. What more, it is also very close to the Residence Karolina, just 4 minutes walk.


3. Pivovar U Fleků


U Fleků is probably the most famous Prague microbrewery and a very popular restaurant. Its history dates back to 1499 and it is the only brewery in central Europe which has been brewing beer for more than 500 years with no break. You can get their typical 13° lager "Flekovský ležák" and choose from a large selection of Czech meals - goulash with dumplings, beef in cream, roast pork with cabbage and many others. Very popular is also their Show U Fleků with old Czech folklore music, humorous skits and even a beer competition. Also not far from the Residence Karolina, only 6 minutes walk.

Website: www.ufleku.cz

4. Pivovar U Dobřenských


The brewery was founded in 2015 but it follows a tradition dating back to the 15th century. They brew their beer in four fermentation tanks on only 150 square feet. You must try a unique 14° ale Tribulus made of a plant tribulus terrestris also know as goat's head or devil's weed. Another special beer is a dark beer Salvia Stout 14° with sage (salvia officinalis). They also brews special beers for every season - in 2015/16 it was Mentha Summer Ale with mint for summer, Melissa Ale with balm for autumn and winter Hippophae Ale. We can recommend also Lemongrass Ale 11°. You will find it half way from the Residence Karolina to the Charles Bridge.


5. Novoměstský pivovar


Another brewery that is worth a visit is Novoměstský pivovar. You can enjoy traditional Czech dishes (garlic soup, goulash, pork knee and others) and of course a great beer - light or dark lager "Novoměstský ležák". Do not hesitate to try "pivní žirafa" (can be translated as "beer giraffe") - you will get a tall tube of beer and you can serve yourself. If you want to try  flavoured beers just order a beer tasting (4 different flavours - banana, ginger, coffee and caramel). They also make a beer spirit and a beer sparkling wine. For beer lovers there are also brewery tours where you will see how the beer is made.

Website: www.npivovar.cz

6. Pivovar U tří růží


This brewery is located in Husova street in a center of Prague, not far from the Charles Bridge or our luxury Krizovnicka Apartments. The beer has been brewing for more than 600 years in this very house. They brew various kinds of beer, both bottom and top-fermented - special dark beer Dark Rose, bavarian type Old Bavarian, special amber beer Smoked Amber, American style Weissbeer and others. Taste also delicious meals - roasted pork knee, spicy beef goulash, confit duck leg or roasted beef with creame sauce.

Website: www.u3r.cz

7. Pivovar Marina Holešovice


Marina Brewery is not located in a very center of Prague but you shouldn't miss it anyway. You'll find it in Holešovice, Prague 7, in a beautiful building just next to the Vltava river. In a stylish interior you can order one of 4 kinds of beer - 10° light lager, 11° wheat lager, 12° lager and a dark lager. Local meals are made in an open kitchen and you can get goulash, roasted duck, grilled pork neck and many others.  To get here just take tram 6 or 14 and get off at Maniny stop. In summer you can even enjoy an outside seating with wooden tables.