Do You Know, That? The Oldest Bohemian Brewery

And just this beverage, or, better to say, its history, will be of an interest for us. Do you know that one of oldest breweries in Europe is placed in the town of Třeboň? When you say „the beer“, most of us is ready to reply „Pilsen“ or „Žatec Hops“. Nevertheless, hardly anybody would look for brewing-industry history in South Bohemia, where enterprising Schwarzenberg Parentage were active from time imemorial. But this Parentage entered into production of Třeboň beer nearly 300 years later (1698), as the history of local brewery begun. The beer is brewed there since 1379 (or 1367), when the first pint of this liquid was brewed by Augustinian Order Brethren. At that time period, the beer was brewed for lordship´s own need only, and standard townsmen did not received a lot, and if so, they were forced to pay the fee, or to lease raw materials for their own production. Nevertheless, still increasing demand on beer was followed for cellars´and manufacturies´ enlargement. So, the brewery spreaded expressively within 14th-16th centuries, first of all, under contributions of Mr. Vok of Rosenberg (1482).

The beer consumption as well as requests for the production had, as a consequence, the transfer of all production from the Castle to Rosenberg Arsenal. Anyway, the brewery got its actual face at the end of 19th century. But, the products (beer) was exported to all localities of rormer Austria-Hungarian Monarchy. It is evident that an expressive drop of production came shortly before the 1st World War, when some important markets of this Empire fell. However, a progressive decline was culminated by total setting aside in the course of the 2nd World war. It is obvious that the beer started to be brewed in 1945, but it was weak, 4 degree beer (an unthinkable product for actual survey of special beer types!) It is true that the brewery was administrated by many brewery institutions within second half of 20th century, but later, in 2000, the brewery presented its actual brand - Bohemia Regent. It is a reference for fisherman Jakub Krčín, historical figure, the administrator of Rosenberg Dominion. The average production from the past, fluctuating from 20 up 100 hectolitres, is now to be found at average volume of 320 000 hectolitres.

The brewery is offering the following sorts of beer:

- Bohemia Regent Beer licenced light 10°

- Bohemia Regent  Eleven Super licenced light 10°

- Bohemia Regent Premium - light lager 12°

- Bohemia Regent Premium - dark lager 12°

- Bohemia Regent President special beer - light 14°

- Bohemia Regent Peter Vok Beer 13°

- Bohemia Regent special light yeast non-filtered beer 16°

- Bohemia Regent original light licenced beer 8°

- Bohemia Regent Renegat non-alcoholic beer

You have the possibility to taste local yeast speacial beer in local ale-house.

Guided sightseeing tours are being effected daily since 10 up to 18 hours, after advance reservation – at phone No. 384-721 319 or personally, at brewery lodge.

Entry fee: CZK 50,- including beer tasting

                 CZK 30,- without beer tasting

                 CZK 15,- for children.

Keep drinking within bounds!

Useful contact:

Bohemia Regent Ltd.

Trocnovske náměstí 124

379 01 Třeboň

GPS: 49°0´8.03“ N, 14° 46´17.51“ E

Text: Jan Chaloupka

Translation: ing. Jan Jonáš

Photo: wikipedia commons a pivovar-regent.cz