The Czechs pride themselves as the world's largest per capita beer drinkers, consuming annually 161 liters per person. Czech hops are sought the world over as the finest, and the Czech brewing style is imitated around the world. Czechs consider beer part of life; they call beer the “Liquid Bread” and they consume it in that manner. Most Czech beers are brewed in the Pilsner style with just the essential ingredients: Barley malt, hops, yeast and water.

Beer is marketed by the % of malt content as an indication of strength and quality. It is a Czech law to have the alcohol by volume statement on the label, but the people still call their beers the old way by using the Balling degrees or the %. The two most popular are “desitka” which is a 10 degree beer (about 3% ABV) and “dvanactka” (about 4,5% ABV). A 12% beer then is going to be stronger than a 10% beer. The % figure has no bearing on the beer color and it is common to see 10% and 12 % pale “svetle pivo” and also 10% and 12% dark “tmave pivo”. As the “desitka” and “dvanactka” are the two most popular, beers in the Czech Republic range from 6% up to 19%.

The taste of a Czech beer drinker is very conservative, and it is usual that a person is loyal to his brand from beginning to the end. The most popular style is a bottom-fermented lager. The highest consumption is in the style of Pilsner, also popular, especially among women are dark lagers, which are usually mild and sweeter (and there goes an old wife's tale, that consumption of a dark beer will enhance breast growth. Or is it true?).

And when do the Czechs drink? Some have a beer with hearty soup for breakfast. Beer usually accompanies everyday lunch. After work. With dinner. You name it.