A “beer paradise” – the 1st beerarium in the world – has opened at Chodovar

The restaurant Stará sladovna (The Old Malthouse) was opened in the building of the original malthouse at the Chodovar family brewery in Chodová Planá,

The beerarium, or beer paradise – reputedly the first in the world – introduces its guests to a world of beer technology and gastronomy. It combines original regional specialties and a rich selection of beers.

The people at Chodovar already have much experience in using beer and beer specialties for touristic purposes. The “Ve Skále” restaurant, which was built in part of the old cellars from the 12th century, and the “U Sládka” hotel have been in operation for several years. Moreover, the original beer spa has contributed greatly to the distinctiveness of the family brewery. Beer-grain wraps and lymphatic massages also have been newly added to the spa services.

In opening the “Stará Sladovna” restaurant, the Chodovar Family Brewery in Chodová Planá is continuing the tradition of large beer gardens. Thus, the original restaurant offers not only 150 places surrounded by brewery technology, but also a large terrace with a lovely brewery garden, total capacity of around 300 places and a view of the historical brewery complex.

The beerarium, a combined world of beer technology and gastronomy, offers the possibility to be drawn for a while into the magical world of beer and to discover its secrets. “Stará Sladovna” restaurant’s beer list, which always contains a minimum of 10 types of tasty, interesting brews in its basic offering, was assembled with the help of the top qualified beer sommeliers in the Czech Republic.

The Chodovar Family Brewery was built above the old cellars inscribed in the granite massif, the origin of which is connected to the creation of the local Chodský castle. That time is also linked with the legend of the dog Albi, which found in the castle’s proximity a spring with a plentiful well. For centuries, Albi has been considered to be a beneficent spirit of the local brewery cellars. Thus, his picture has graced even the emblem of the local malting guild for a long time. Based on an old brewery tradition, the end of the work in the cellars has always been accompanied by an old ritual: When leaving, the youngest apprentice had to prepare a jug of beer and pour it into Albi’s bowl so that, as the old brewers believed, the beneficent spirit of the cellars would bring them good luck and protect their work – the famous Czech lager.