Once again, Hector was in the Curry House when Fred Waltman texted to arrange today’s rendezvous. I would arrive at Pivovar Narodni to greet diminished numbers and just I time to sample the dregs of the Tasters. Under their own brand name of Czech Lion I cannot say the Bier impressed, maybe next time I’ll do a proper review.
Fred wished to correct yesterday’s oversight and so it the Ubiquitous Tram 9 to Lipanska once more and a return for Hector at least to Pivo a Parek. Once again the place was quiet this early in the afternoon.
Velkopraze Pivo – Velkopezske – at 12° was Gold, unfiltered, as sweet as yesterday’s here….buttery. Diacytl is the term Fred uses to classify Bier when it turns out this way, an expression Hector must surely adopt.
A couple of blocks away lies U Kurelu, a rather impressive Bar in terms of layout and atmosphere but only four Biers. Two of these were from a bygone age, this left Light or Dark. Hector took the Opperchancity to enjoy the Malesov IPA at 5.3% (14°) which was had yesterday at Kulovy Blesk.
The location of U Kurelu makes a perfect Pub Crawl back over the hill to Jirihoz Podebrad, via U Sadu if one wished. Here one would be at BeerGeek once again, but not today, we had more new venues to visit.
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Pivoteka Illegal Beer is off Zitna, three blocks behind Novmetsky Pivovar. Hector was back in familiar territory. We walked through the Chic Bar area to the more traditional room adjacent. There was five Taps and so Fred ordered a sample of each. The Waitress was particularly charming, she may not have experienced this Methodical Approach to Bier Sampling before.
Bad Flash – Hora – IPA at 14°was Hector’s Pivo of choice. There was a sense of Hops, but not as intense as other Bier had on this trip. This does not say much for the Lobec IPA at the same strength.
Almost around the corner, and on a side street up from Vodickova, again a reference to Novemtsky Pivovar for location, lies Jama named after the said side street. This is a seriously trendy Bar, the place was jumping, there was not much chance of a seat.
Vysojy Chlumec – Fly Cloud IPA – at 14° was my first Bier at Jama. Amber, nothing special to note but was sold in smaller glasses. The abv was not apparent at the time of serving, it was a Bier one could do damage with. Zemsky Pivovar – Colorado Pale Ale – at 5.4% was the Pivo of the Day, Bier of The Trip possibly. This was it, the Pivo I had been searching for. Dark Gold, with Citra, Cascade, Centennial, and Simcoe Hops, a Perfect Bier. I had another.
The Company was wilting, they had started earlier, the Chicken Wings had by some back in U Kurelu were wearing off. I bade my newfound Bier Colleagues farewell. This was a Bar to note, easy to locate, get here earlier next time.
It was just after 21.00, Hector could have stayed here, but to stand, uncomfortable, one drinks too quickly on one’s feet. I was minutes from one of Prague’s Oldest and most Traditional Pivovar, I hadn’t been in years.
U Fleku is not liked by all, but this is hardly the height of the Tourist Season The Pivo, the Dark Lager at 4.5% is the same as first experienced back in 1992, it was considered – Sweet – back then, so no surprises. This was a fine night cap and the overall experience was pleasant. I have never seen the place so quiet. Everyone else was in the back Beer-hall where the cabaret was still going on. Someday I’ll get to this, maybe not.
Back to Mala Strana, Kebap time.
The Microbreweries and Bars visited today:
Pivovar Narodni – Národní 8, Praha 1 – Nové Mesto
Pivo a Parek – Borivojova 58, 130 00 Praha 3
U Kurelu – Chvalova 1119/1, 130 00 Praha 3
Pivoteka Illegal Beer – Ve Smeckách 590/16, 110 00 Praha 1
Jama V Jáme 1671/7, Praha 1 – Nové Mesto
Pivovar U Fleku – Kremencova 1651/11, Praha 1
Link to Day 4 – Praha – The Fourth and Final Day of Prague 2015