One of the world's oldest breweries is still pouring beer in Prague

What’s the world’s oldest brewery? While the Weihenstephan Brewery in Germany claims to be the oldest, dating back to 1040, Prague's Břevnov Monastery may boast an even older brewing tradition.

The Benedictine abbey, located in western Prague, has been associated with brewing since the 10th century. Although the original brewery ceased operations and was lost to history, the tradition has been revived under the Břevnovský Benedict label.

The Břevnov Monastery, founded in 933, is a historic site where beer brewing has long been a tradition. The modern Břevnovský Benedict brewery, established in 2011, seeks to honor this ancient tradition with a range of beers that reflect both historical and contemporary brewing practices.

The new brewery was set up in the space of the old Břevnov brewery, which had disappeared over the centuries. It was a significant project, involving a reconstruction that respected historical preservation guidelines and cost approximately CZK 18 million.

This new facility produces a diverse array of beers including a pale lager, dark lager, wheat beer, and several specialty brews. With an annual production of around a few thousand hectoliters, the brewery focuses on quality and variety rather than sheer volume.

Petr Janík, who founded the new Břevnovský Benedict brewery, was motivated by the monastery’s rich brewing history. He and his team saw an opportunity to revive the tradition in a modern context.

"We always liked Břevnov because it was the first well-known brewery in Bohemia," Janík told Ekonom in 2014. "It is not known exactly when it was founded, whether it was at the end of the 10th century or the beginning of the 11th. But in any case, it was already here shortly after the foundation of the monastery. We were attracted by that tradition."

The brewery’s setup features state-of-the-art equipment, including stainless steel tanks and copper brewing kettles, and offers a range of beers brewed fresh for local consumption. This includes everything from a classic pale lager to seasonal specialties.

Despite its modern facilities, the Břevnovský Benedict brewery retains a connection to the past. The brewery’s name, Břevnovský Benedict, reflects its roots in the Benedictine tradition, and its location in the historic monastery grounds adds to its charm.

Although the modern brewery is relatively new establishment, Břevnovský Benedict continues a long legacy of brewing that ties back to one of Prague's oldest and most revered institutions. It might even be considered the world's oldest brewery still in operation.

For more information about the brewery and its offerings, interested visitors can check out the brewery’s website or visit the monastery’s grounds in Prague.