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The demand for craft beer from mini-breweries has been growing the world over. The Czech Republic had just 40 min breweries a decade ago, whereas now it has over 400. And given the reputation of the country’s golden brew, it has plenty of know-how to share. The company TechOrg is engaging in one such venture in Bosnia, where it is offering the locals advice in terms of financing and technology as well as the know-how of Czech brew-masters. The aim is to support the rise of local breweries which would cater to local tastes. I spoke to the coordinator

Czech breweries exported a record 5.16 million hectolitres of beer last year, an increase of over 11 percent in 2018, the Czech Beer and Malt Association reported this week. For the first time in history, the volume of beer in tanks and kegs surpassed bottled and canned beer.

Major Czech brewing companies are planning to open dozens of new branded pubs this year, Hospodářské noviny reported on Thursday. The move builds on a trend seen in recent years and is aimed at stemming a decline in consumption.

Viewing the sights of Prague from a beer bike with a cold lager in hand and fifteen friends around you may seem like the perfect tour of the city, but “partying while you pedal” may soon be a thing of the past. Following the example of cities like Amsterdam, Prague City Hall wants ban to beer bikes from the historic city center and, if possible, other areas as well.

Budějovický Budvar last year recorded the highest exports in its history. The brewing company – whose products are sold under the Czechvar brand name in some states – exported 1.07 million hectolitres of beer in 2018, a rise of 8.5 percent on the previous year, according to figures it has just released.

Plzeňský Prazdroj brewery is set to become one of the sponsors of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, the daily Hospodářské noviny wrote on Friday. The deal is reportedly about to be signed.

Zubr Gold has taken top honours at the 27th annual Pivex Golden Cup contest in two categories. The Přerov brew was named best bottled beer and best light draft beer.

This year 50 brands from 13 industrial breweries took part in the two-round competition.

Bernard won in the category of top dark lager. Holba won in the mixed beer category for its cranberry and mint brew.

In the mini-brewery contest, the Merklín crocodile of the Petr Petružálek brewery took first prize.

Czech state-owned brewery Budějovický Budvar sold more beer in 2018 than in its entire 123-year history, following a 7.3 percent rise in sales to 2.57 billion crowns.

Budvar, which has been in a long legal dispute with U.S. giant Anheuser-Busch over use of the “Budweiser” brand, said output rose 3.6 percent last year to 1.602 million hectoliters. The growth followed a 4-percent decline in 2017, caused by shifting production to a premium brand.

In 2019, the brewery plans to build a third bottling plant. It said its focus on premium lagers is paying off.

According to legend, Bohemian hops were so prized King Wenceslas ordered the death penalty for anyone caught exporting cuttings from which plants could be grown. But with beer consumption and pub visits down at home, big Czech brewers rely on exports to make up the difference, while trying to lure locals back with craft-style and limited-run beers.

The best known Czech beer is undoubtedly Pilsner Urquell. Budweiser (sold as Czechvar in the United States and some other countries) is probably the second most prominent. The fame of these two brands outshines many other lagers and other types of beer brewed all over Czechia. And that is a shame, as there is so much more to discover for any beer-loving visitor to this country.