What to do and see in Bohemia, Czech Republic: The Best Food & Drink

A technical historical monument, the steam-powered Brewery of Lobec near Mseno is a witness of the five-hundred-years old tradition of beer brewing in the Kokorin region. The first written reference to the brewery dates back to 1586, while the Renaissance core of the existing structure was built around 1600. Between 1894 and1897, Rudolf Cicvarek, a lawyer and owner of the estate, had the original modest artisanal manufactory - once possession of the local gentry of Veznik - rebuilt to become a steam-powered production unit. The project was authored by a renowned engineer, Johan Rosenberg. Since 2007, the premises are possessed by RIOFRIO architectural platform and the exemplary redevelopment and revival of the brewery as a tourist attraction of the Kokorinsko protected landscape area is in progress. The brewery was declared a cultural monument by the Ministry of Culture in 2009...

Every country has its symbols and legends and the Czech ones include Pilsner Urquell lager which has been brewed in a town called Plzen (Pilsen) since 1842. Since then the fame of Pilsner Urquell beer has spread around the world and, inspired by this exceptional brew, more than two-thirds of the beers produced today are commonly known as pils, pilsner or pilsener. The brewery tour showcases all of the authentic places where Pilsner Urquell lager has been brewed for more than 175 years, and where its story continues today. You will see the heart of the brewery - both the historical and contemporary brewhouse. You will smell and taste the raw materials that are used to brew Pilsner Urquell, and the panoramic cinema will take you through the brewing process. And at the end you will taste unfiltered Pilsner Urquell beer tapped straight from oak lager barrels in the historic brewery cellars.The brewery is open year-round. The journey from Prague takes about one-and-a-half hours and you can either travel on your own by car, bus or train.