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The Czech Republic Stands on Good Beer! Across the country, you’ll find breweries that not only produce the golden drink but also offer plenty of delicious food. Pivovar Hostivař, located on the outskirts of Prague, made a strong impression on me – and not just when it comes to beer and gastronomy. Why exactly? You’ll see in a moment!
Location and Getting There
Pivovar Hostivař is in Prague, though definitely outside the touristy city center. Depending on the route you take, it’s about 12-15 kilometers from the Main Train Station. You can easily get here by public transport. Most often you’ll need to take a connection with a transfer, with the fastest option being a train combined with a bus. There’s even a bus stop right next to the brewery called Pivovar Hostivař.
The brewery has two locations marked H1 and H2. We visited the one numbered H1. In the H2 location you’ll also find beer, a restaurant, green areas, and even a bakery. The two spots are about a kilometer apart.
Pivovar Hostivař and Its Beers
Beyond its inviting interiors, beer garden, and tasty cuisine, Pivovar Hostivař is first and foremost about brewing beer! All beers are crafted on-site under the supervision of brewmaster František Poláček. The brewery uses Czech and German malts along with hops from the Žatec (Saaz) region. All beers are unfiltered and unpasteurized, preserving their natural character.
You can try as many as 8 varieties of beer here:
- Jasné Ale 10 – light top-fermented beer
- Jasná 11 – pale bottom-fermented lager
- Polotmavá 12 – semi-dark bottom-fermented lager
- Jasná 13 – stronger pale bottom-fermented lager
- Black Ale 14 – dark top-fermented ale
- Red Ale 14 – semi-dark top-fermented ale
- Hostivar Ale 15 – semi-dark top-fermented ale
- Hostivar Nealko – non-alcoholic beer
If you can’t enjoy a beer on-site because you’re driving, or if you’ve found a favorite that you’d like to take with you, you can buy bottled beers to go.
About the place
Once again, I have to praise the architecture here. Photos might not fully capture it, but the uniqueness of this spot is confirmed by the Grand Prix of Architects award it received in 2014.
Menu
The menu here is divided into two parts: a regular menu and a daily menu. The daily menu is available online, so you can always check what’s fresh on offer. The regular menu features four sections – beer snacks, soups, main courses, and salads. Soups change regularly, so it’s worth asking the staff what’s available that day.
When it comes to beer snacks, you’ll find classics like beef carpaccio, steak tartare, fried cheese-stuffed peppers, pickled sausage (utopenec), a variety of spreads with bread, and marinated Hermelín cheese. The main courses include a beef burger, pork ribs braised in beer, fried cheese, and chicken strips. There’s also one salad that’s always on the menu – Caesar.
What did we try?
We went for several options. Besides the house-brewed beer, we ordered their draft lemonade. We weren’t quite sure what to expect when the waiter mentioned it was hopped, but it turned out to be fantastic – refreshing, unique, and something I’d definitely have again. If you’re driving and can’t try the beer, this is a must!
Another deliberate choice was the marinated Hermelín. It’s the perfect snack to pair with beer, and here it was served with coleslaw and pickled vegetables – an unusual twist, but a spot-on addition! If you’d like to learn more about this Czech classic and how it’s made, be sure to check out our recipe.
From the daily menu, we tried two dishes. First up were spicy chicken wings with a herb baguette, blue cheese, and tartar sauce. Nicely done – the initial heat quickly mellowed into a balanced, enjoyable flavor.
The second dish was venison goulash with potato pancakes. The pancakes themselves were a bit underwhelming – thin and not very satisfying – but the goulash was outstanding. The meat was tender, perfectly seasoned, and the sauce rich and full of flavor. It was so good that we wiped the plate clean with the bread that came with the Hermelín.
The Garden
One of the things that struck me most during my visit to Pivovar Hostivař was their wonderful approach to greenery. The restaurant features a glass wall that opens up onto a beautiful garden – a real oasis of calm that invites you to unwind after a busy day.
At the heart of the garden lies a well-kept lawn where you can sit and soak up the peaceful surroundings. Nearby, benches, an outdoor bar, and a playground make it a welcoming space for both relaxation and socializing. In the evenings, the atmosphere becomes especially serene, making it the perfect spot for a quiet stroll or a cozy chat with friends and family.
Just before entering the green area, you’ll notice a metal silhouette of a man – Antonín Švehla. He was born in this very region and went on to serve three terms as Prime Minister of Czechoslovakia.
Is It Worth a Visit?
Pivovar Hostivař H1 is a place I’d happily showcase as a model for new gastronomic concepts. A stylish interior, delicious food, and great beer are just part of the story – what really makes it special is the vision behind it, with its inviting outdoor spaces. A playground for children, a bar set on the lawn, outdoor tables, and leafy trees all come together to create an atmosphere I already find myself missing.
Pivovar Hostivař isn’t located in Prague’s city center, nor was it created with tourists in mind. Getting here from the center takes about 45 minutes with a transfer, but in my opinion – it’s absolutely worth it!
