Historic brewing region
Bohemia
The western Czech region whose soft water, Saaz hops and decoction brewing produced the world’s first pale lager.
In Czechia.
Why it matters to beer
Bohemian brewing combines exceptionally soft water, floor-malted undermodified barley, Saaz hops and multi-step decoction mashing. The softness of the water is what allows the high hopping rates of a Czech pale lager to read as rounded rather than harsh.
Styles from here
Beers brewed here
- Bernard Polotmavý ležák
A Czech half-dark lager, which is a category in its own right at home and almost unknown outside it.
- Bernard Sváteční ležák
An unpasteurised Czech premium pale lager from an independent brewery, and the useful control in the argument about what changed after 1989.
- Staropramen Premium
Prague’s largest-selling lager, and the Czech beer most drinkers outside the country meet on draught.
- Velkopopovický Kozel Černý
The most widely exported Czech dark lager, and much lighter and sweeter than its colour suggests.
- Velkopopovický Kozel Světlý
A Czech výčepní — the everyday draught strength that most Czech beer is actually drunk at, rather than the premium grade that gets exported.
Breweries
Rodinný pivovar Bernard · Staropramen · Velkopopovický Kozel
Elsewhere in the country
Last reviewed 2026-08-15.