On a cycling holiday in South Bohemia recently I came across some fine beer. Here's me in the lovely town of Český Krumlov toasting its Eggenberg Brewery with its very nice pale lager.
Every brewer loves hops and what could be more fitting for a brewery than to have its own hop garden. This one is in front of the Zvikov Castle Brewery . The hops are the noble aromatic Saaz variety, which we use in our Independence Ale and Sunburst Pilsner. Great to see them in their native land!
They have a beautiful copper brewhouse with an amazing mural with the traditional Czech brewer's motto - Dej Bůh štěstí (May God give happiness). The brewery is also an inn with rooms above the brewhouse. Very comfy beds.
Brewmaster Michal Voldrich brews a wonderful selection of classic Czech beers, including this very special dark lager at a stunning 12% abv. He insisted on giving us a tasting finishing up with this glorious bottle-conditioned brew, called the Port amongst Beers, aged for 18 months and served in a chilled chalice. Perfect at 9 o'clock in the morning. Na zdraví or slàinte!
