Whenever you take a trip here in the Czech Republic, you’re run into a brewery. Not into one of the large ones, of course, but we have dozens of microbreweries that usually brew local crafted beers. About a month ago, we went to hike a bit in Prokopské údolí, a natural reserve at the edge of Prague. And you know what? There’s one either. Opened just a few years ago. Or re-opened, if you will, as there used to be a well-known tavern with dancehall a century ago. It is called Prokopák.
Even though my girlfriend mocked me all the evening, that I led her there on purpose, I seriously hadn’t had a clue about this place. But once I spotted a sign with the most powerful magical formula (pivovar – brewery in Czech) it was quite sure where would we end. The building looks marvellous, especially with a snow cap. Hostinec is a bit old-fashioned Czech word for a restaurant.
The exterior looks classy but is nothing like the interior. I wasn’t really into taking pictures of it since it was quite crowded. But I really like that style which seems to be common for many Czech brewery restaurants.
Before I let you (virtually) taste Prokopák beers, I want you to note local coasters. I know they are not used in many countries including my beloved Spain, which usually drives me crazy. In Prokopák, you can have a visually nice paper one. Or something more fancy, a traditional porcelain one – I use it anytime I can. Alas, there are not many places with those coasters nowadays.
Ok, here come the beers. Three of them, actually. All super-cheap by the way. Tatin (Papa or Daddy) was the best of them. A classical Czech Pilsner style lager, dvanáctka. Really smooth with average bitterness. The colour may look a bit unusual, but it is because of the lights inside the place. It fits great with the dishes they serve (a classical Czech cuisine with a hint of modern international meals). I could spend all my evening with this beer, which wouldn’t be really wise – I needed to get home somehow.
Milostpaní (Gentlelady) is an Ale with New Zealander hop Nelson Sauvin. I am not really sure about its style but I was quite disappointed by the way it was poured and served. The taste was not really distinct and I think it was the first glass of a new barrel.
The last beer I had there was a wonderful Russian imperial stout Černý Petr (Black Peter, likely a reference to Peter the Great). I might had gotten a bit tipsy by the time I tried it, but I enjoyed so much that I forgave the Milostpaní faux pas and decided to buy a set of Christmas specials to go.
They were all great. All the same Czech style special lagers with only one difference – each of them is hopped by different kind of hop. But that’s another story :)
Anyways, as you can see, great tapped crafted beers for less than 50 CZK (2 euro) for a pint. That’s the way we live here :)
