Beer tourism continues to brew and rise in Czechia

Beer tourism in the Czech Republic is hopping forward, with a growing number of tourists visiting breweries, beer museums, and spas. According to the state agency CzechTourism, last year's most popular destination was the Plzeňský Prazdroj brewery, with over half a million visitors. The rise in beer tourism is also attributed to the UNESCO World Heritage listing of Žatec in Ústí nad Labem – a town with a rich history in hop cultivation and beer brewing.

Director of CzechTourism, František Reismüller, said: "The Czech Republic has exceptional potential in the field of beer tourism, thanks to its long history of brewing beer, unique breweries, and the current trend of experiential and sustainable tourism."

The trend in beer tourism is towards smaller, craft breweries that offer high-quality and original beers, as well as experiences related to their production and local traditions. According to Tomáš Slunečko, Executive Director of the Czech Association of Breweries and Malthouses (CSPS): "Czech brewers are increasingly focusing on quality and sustainability, which attracts more demanding tourists."

He also mentioned the annual Saint Wenceslas Festival in September, which kicks off the Czech Beer Days event and offers a variety of special beers and cultural events for beer enthusiasts.

Last year, 20 million hectoliters of beer were brewed in the Czech Republic, a 2.7 percent decrease from the previous year. The average consumption per person also dropped to a historic low of 128 liters per year, although Czechia still holds the crown for the largest amount of beers consumed per capita.

CSPS reported that 15.2 million hectoliters of beer were consumed domestically, while the export of beer decreased by 4.3 percent to 5.17 million hectoliters.

The decline in beer production and consumption in the Czech Republic may be a cause for concern for the industry. However, the rise in beer tourism is providing a boost to the economy and showcasing the country's rich brewing history and traditions, CzechTourism says. 

In a study earlier this year conducted by Danish shipping and logistics company DFDS, Prague was ranked Europe's second-best destination for beer.