History
The art of brewing beer can be traced back to Ancient Mesopotamia but as we Czechs have been brewing the stuff for over fi ve centuries, we think it's only fair that we consider it a part of our national culture as well!
"All is well where beer is brewed" is an old Czech saying. It seems to be pretty accurate as the Bohemian town of Pelhřimov has enjoyed prosperity for at least 450 years since it was granted the right to brew beer in 1552. Although, brewing took place before that date, it was pretty unregulated activity with major problems with quality, ingredients and pricing policy. Eventually, disputes between various small brewers forced the authorities to license just two houses in Růžová Street as breweries. By the end of the 17th century, the brewery was relocated to a site between Solná Street and Děkanská Street abutting the inner town fortifi cations. Living quarters for the brewer were added to the site in 1752. In middle of the 19th century, the brewery switched to the newly introduced bottom fermentation brewing system. Sadly, the shortcomings of the 200 hundred-year-old brewery became apparent and a new, modern brewery opened its doors for business in 1899 complete with all the latest technology of the period, such as a steam-engine drive and purpose-built, spacious workshops.
Nationalised in 1948, the brewery became a subsidiary of the Horácké Pivovary (Horácké Breweries) and subsequently the Jihočeské Pivovary (South Bohemian Breweries). Change came again with the Velvet Revolution. After a protracted dispute, the brewery was fi nally privatised and acquired in 2001 by the DUP Company.
Our Long Reputation for quality
Lidové listy 28th May 1939 - „The good reputation of the town of Pelhřimov is enhanced by the Town brewery, the excellent products of which are compared to the crisp Smíchov and Budějovice beers by even the most demanding consumers, who arrive at the town from other towns, for instance from Prague, etc. The brewery has exemplary clean workshops with an advanced approach to hygiene, with its own barley malting process and always uses Žatec hops. It uses the uniquely pure water from the Křemešík forest springs exclusively. This and the management of an experienced brewer results in a beer of exceptional taste, colour and purity. Consequently demanding consumers relish Pelhřimov beer and remain faithful to it both in the town and in the country."
