Best Craft Beer Pubs in Prague for Tasting Czech Microbrews

When we visited Prague in January, craft beer tasting was at the top of our bucket list. Beer is so essential part of Czech culture that I recommend microbrewery tour for anyone spending a weekend in Prague. Before it was all about mass-produced brands, like locally brewed Pilsner Urquell, but nowadays Prague has become a mecca for microbreweries and craft beer pubs, which stand proudly against international comparison. Visit our favorite microbrew venues and get lost in their exhaustive craft beer menus!

U Kunstatu

We popped in U Kunstatu right after arriving in Prague, which proved out to be an excellent choice. The atmosphere and the craft beer selection were the best we found on our weekend getaway in Prague.

Beer sampler with 6 glasses (350CZK, appr. 13€) means 2 pints of liquid, but don’t worry, you can share it just like we did. The ubiquitous list covers 100 beers. If feeling overwhelmed, leave your faith into the loving hands of the savant bartenders. We enjoyed the tough call and careful negotiation about the chosen ones, ending up with 2 porters, 2 IPAs, one ale, and one stout. The clear winners were the flavored porters from Kocour Brewery. Both cherry and strawberry porters amazed us with crisp berry tones: just like you’ve sliced fresh berries among your beer. I also liked a lot Sherpa IPA from Czech Permon Brewery.

If you need to limit your beer exploration in Prague into one craft beer pub, let it be U Kunstatu. Their unique selection, homey vibe, and candle-lit tables fit even for a romantic night out and give a perfect introduction to the Czech microbrewery scene.

You are also free to explore the well-preserved Romanesque palace at the cellar level of the pub. The former palace of King George of Podebrady is a UNESCO protected monument dating back to the 1200^th century, and you probably have the site all to yourself. What un unforgettable add-on to the beer tasting in Prague style!

Address & Opening Hours of U Kunstatu
Retezova 3, Prague 1
Open: Daily 2PM­–11PM, guided beer tasting sessions at 6 PM
www.ukunstatu.cz

Nota Bene

Nota Bene requires a short hike off the tourist trail, behind Wenceslas Square. The “craft beer point” located at the cellar serves 12 draft beers, while the restaurant at the next door had four beers on tap during our exploration. Good news is that all of them are from a local microbrewery called Unetické pivo, located just behind the borders of Prague. We sampled a truly excellent Zitná IPA and velvety Black IPA, both highly recommended.

Since you’ve made it this far, indulge in the treats of the kitchen, as well. We had fantastic fillet mignons, mine accompanied with three different mushrooms and delicious sauce with cauliflower puree; Piritta requested ginger sauce with mashed potatoes. We usually share the dessert, but Nota Bene’s espresso cheesecake was so yummy that we had to order a second one. Go for a craft beer and stay for a meal!

Address & Opening Hours of Nota Bene
Mikovcova 4, Praha 2
Open: Mon-Fri 11AM-11PM, Sat 12PM-11PM, Sun closed
www.notabene-restaurant.cz

T-Anker

T-Anker is a hidden gem lurking on the shady side street in the heart of Prague. From Náměstí Republiky square, step on a bystreet called Králodvorská and take a gritty elevator to the fifth floor. You’ll be rewarded with a solid craft beer selection, both from Czech microbreweries and abroad – 9 on tap and 60 in bottles!

As an added bonus, you’ll get unrivaled panorama upon the roofs of Malastrana. Even in the middle of winter, the rooftop terrace is pleasantly heated. You can even see the omnipresent twin towers of Tyn church while sampling, for example, some fine IPA from Malešov, Holá Rit’, or Permon. I’d select T-Anker for aperitifs or night cap in a good company.

Address & Opening Hours of T-Anker
5th floor of OD Kotva (department store), Náměstí Republiky, Praha 1
Open: Daily 11AM-10PM
www.t-anker.cz/en

Pivovarsky Dum

Founded already in 1998, Pivovarsky Dum (“the brewer’s house) is a modern classic in Prague craft beer scene. When I visited Prague the first time in 2008, Pivovarsky Dum was one of a kind, as there weren’t many other microbreweries. I loved the unique experience of tasting local brews back then. Nowadays, I’d venture into Pivovarsky Dum after their specialty beers – such as banana beer, nettle beer, or beer champagne – if those kinds of experiments rock your boat.

Address & Opening Hours of Pivovarsky Dum
Křižíkova 17°, Praha 8 – Karlín
Open: Daily 11AM-11.30PM
www.pivovarskydum.com

Still thirsty for more? If you’re into everything bizarre like us, try the herbal beers of Pivovar U Dobřenských. I love medicinal herbs, but it’s pretty rare to find them in beer. The specialty of this microbrewery is an ale brewed with tribulus terrestris, herb which known to boost testosterone levels. A little bit more mainstream version on tap is a stout with sage, and the third beer is always seasonal.

With already three locations, Beer Museum will pop around the corner sooner or later while strolling around the streets of Prague. We didn’t take the chance, as they charge an entrance fee and the place looked extremely touristic. Feel free to visit also the traditional watering holes, such as U Fleku or U Zlateho Tygra. We don’t like them that much (both overly touristic and often crammed with drunks), but what the heck, it’s worth a try while you’re in Prague.

Have you visited the microbreweries or craft beer pubs in Prague – or would you like to include “a microbrew crawl” on your bucket list?