First things first, there had to be Curry-Heute. The Curry House near Palmovka Metro Station was in a new part of Praha for The Hector, During the meal there was a text from Fred Waltman to arrange a rendezvous. Pivo a Parek (Bier & Sausage) was the nominated venue. Arriving first to the empty Pub made things easier for me potentially. I should be able to welcome The Group.
Zatecky 7 schod at 13.5° had the Czech for Hops in its description, this is what I was hoping to unearth today, lots of new-style Czech Hoppy Piwo. The Bier had a dark gold, body, but too sweet, such that the hops were drowned in the sweetness. Not the best of starts, things got worse.
How long does one wait before contacting – The Missing? Fred assured me they were – out front – at Pivo a Parek. On exchanging addresses we realised there are two, they were at Pivoteka a Parek (Korunni 1075), let’s try again.
Three more venues were suggested, two of which Google Maps said were permanently closed. The Prague Beer Museum at Namesti Miru definitely exists and should be open. Was it easier to walk or jump back to the Centrum and take the Metro back out? As ever, the Ubiquitous Tram 9 would take me from Lipanska back to Hlvani Nadrazi.
This was my first Praha Beer Museum never having been to the Original which people tell me is the smokiest, most uncomfortable place in Praha. This second version had smoking in the Bar with a non-smoking room off. Despite being quiet this early in the afternoon, it was still grim walking into a Bar with even one person smoking. This is most certainly a Multi-Tap Pub, however, before Pivo I though to had better introduce myself.
Fred knows everyone in Bier Circles, I am honoured to be part of this. I was introduced to Tom, who has been on every one of Fred’s Trips. Jim is Fred’s brother in law, and Sam who I would establish The Core of the assembled Company. Some went shopping mid-afternoon, not keeping up with the pace. Fred’s Trips last longer than anything Hector could stomach, Bier from Lunchtime every day, until… Over the next few days this would be established.
I took reconsiderations for which Piwo to order. Matuska Raptor at 6.3% (15°) was – Beer of the Day – quite a heavy start, but I was in The Company of Professionals. Gold and Full-bodied, the Raptor had Hops but not – the Big Hop Hit – I was looking for.. Still, not a shabby Bier at all, better than mass produced Eurofizz. With two Czech Hops – Saaz and Premiant – plus two American – Cascade and Amarillo – one might have expected – a Blast.
It was at the next venue when the full Fred Waltman Experience kicked in. We turned left out of the Beer Museum and walked straight down the hill to Sokolska. At the bottom of the hill was Restaurace Kulovy Blesk, without knowledge from a List, one would have walked on by. There was nothing to suggest that this was another Multi-Tap Bar. Walking along a corridor we found ourselves in a Jerry-built covered area with a Bar. We were led downstairs to a larger Bar with rooms off.
Fred ordered Four Biers to share, his System being we try them all, then choose one to enjoy Solo. Two stood out: another Matuska – California, 5.5% (13°) and Malesov IPA at 5.3% (14°) were – in the style. The California was a – Special – from Matuska, with Saaz (Cz) and Cascade Hops, a blend of Czech and American Hops, here we go.
Had Hector been in his usual – Company – this would have been it, some would have insisted on staying here. However, this was a Fred Waltman Tour, little did I know what awaited.
It was a good ten minute walk along and uphill to Dno Pytle. Today is Friday, Fred assured me that on Friday evenings, Mein Host Taps Barrels of Buttenheim Bier. I was here to sample new Czech Piwo, but the Opperchancity of some Löwenbräu-Buttenheim on gravity would be irresistible. Charming as Mein Host was, not tonight too quiet.
Seven Biers were summoned, one from each Tap. Permon – Hopper Chinook– at 6.3% (15°) was what The Hector picked as #1 with Permon IPA at 5.8% close behind.
Finally, the camera was out to try and record – The Company – but one step at a time. Photographing the Venues and the Bier was one thing, photographing my Drinking Buddies would be a matter of waiting for the Opperchancity. Tom never appears in photos I am told…oops.
Up the hill took Hector to a familiar Square at Jihirod Podebrad Metro but a brand new venue – BeerGeek. This Basement Bar is as trendy as any Multi-Tap Bar in Europe, an Electronic Board too, how gauche.
The place was busy such that we could not all get a seat. Initially we stood at a Barrel at the foot of the stairs. The Fred Ritual was organised, 5 samples this time, 0.3l glasses. In time we managed to get space at the far end of the room. As this would be the last port of call today it was time for pints. Lucky Bastard India IPA at 6.5% (15°) stood out on the Board even without the Samples. This was followed by the Lucky Bastard Black IPA at 6.0%. With Hops to the fore in the IPA add Chocolate and Coffee to the Black IPA.
By now I had photos of the entire Company today, meet Jim and Sam. It was time to call it a day and I get to do it all over again tomorrow.
Hector still had something else to investigate this evening. There is a Curry House up the hill from the Ibis Mala Strana. The Taj Mahal Express was closing by the time I arrived, a Takeaway was secured. Wot, no Kebap?
The Bars visited today:
Pivo a Parek – Borivojova 58, 130 00 Praha 3
Prague Beer Museum at Namesti Miru – Americká 341/43, Praha 2 – Vinohrady
Restaurace Kulovy Blesk – Sokolska 13, Nove Mesto Praha – 2
Dno Pytle – Vinohradská 1485/63, Praha 2 – Vinohrady
BeerGeek – Vinohradska 988/62, Praha 3 – Zizkov
Link to Day 3 – Praha – A Second Day with Fred Waltman