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The Lost Art of Pitching the Beer Barrels

Twice a year the coopers at Pilsner Urquell undertake the job of re-pitching and rolling the large lagering barrels which are still used to mature beer in the brewery cellars. It’s an amazing process taking a lot of skill and hard work. But first we thought you may be interested in watching a short video on...

Beer, LIFESTYLE

Pilsner-Urquell-Brewery-Tour-Czech-Republic

September 28, 2015

The Original Pilsner Beer

Pilsner Urquell beer is truly a child of both Bohemia and Bohemianism. Pilsner Urquell is a brand-name Czech beer produced in Plzen (or Pilsen) and is the original Pilsner beer. The actual word Pilsner is a derivative from the west Bohemian town of Plzen. Beer is a humongous part of Czech culture. We can even say that it’s like baseball...

Beer, LIFESTYLE

September 27, 2015

The Rock Star President with a Heart

Vaclav Havel was the dissident and Czech writer who had a way with eloquent dissections of Communist rule. Some believed he was the Rockstar president with a heart. His way of expressing gave voice to a powerless people under communists and helped to destroy it in revolutions that brought down the Berlin Wall. The New...

Bohemians, PEOPLE

September 21, 2015

The Last Remaining Beer Coopers in Europe

Behind the walls of the Pilsner Urquell brewery, over the last 40 years, Josef Hruza has led a team of seven beer coopers as they handcraft the oak casks where their beer matures. By the 1970s, stainless steel kegs began to replace wooden casks, yet at Pilsner Urquell they have continually employed coopers for over 170 years...

Beer, LIFESTYLE

September 18, 2015

Cutest Little Boho Chic Car Ever Made – Meet Velorex Oskar

Is it a motorcycle? Is it a car? It is more like a car-cycle. Velorex was a manufacturing cooperative in Solnice, Czechoslovakia. They were the builders of a small three-wheeled car which was produced from the 1950s until 1971. My parents have shared fond memories of putting around in this vehicle and how they took a...

LIFESTYLE

September 14, 2015

Czech Matchbox Graphics

Nothing like a little propaganda for your pocket. The following food themed Czech Matchbox Graphics labels create a miniature gallery of Czechoslovakian society under the rule of communism. Matchbox labels from the former Eastern bloc often display a remarkable degree of sophistication, elegance and artistic quality. They were, at a time, the most convenient,efficient and...

Art and Design, CULTURE

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September 14, 2015

The History of Beer Coopers in Pictures

The following is a series of photographs from the Bohemian city of Pilsen where the world famous Pilsner beer was born. To read a complete history on the beer (which we think is very interesting – including a view of the famous ‘Devil in the Cellar‘, we suggest you also read this page. This segment...

Beer, LIFESTYLE

March 2, 2015

The History of St. Matthew’s Fair in Prague

What is the first spring fair in Europe? How about the most popular and biggest fair in Prague? In the Czech Republic? The answer is Matějská pouť or for our English speaking friends, St Matthew’s Fair. The earliest record of the St. Matthew’s Fair in Prague dates back to the year 1595. It is the first known Spring...

CULTURE, Holidays

December 24, 2014

Bohemian Christmas Foods & Czech Traditions

For many Czechs, Štědrý den (December 24th) is the most enjoyable day of the Christmas holidays. Today we wanted to share our Bohemian Christmas foods & Czech traditions. It is more significant than the 25th of December which is when most Americans celebrate. The Czech name literally means “Generous Day”, and this is most likely for the...

CULTURE, Holidays