- Address: Ringhofferova 1, 251 69 Velké Popovice, Czech Republic
- Phone: +420 323 683 425
- Website: pivovar.kozel.cz
- Opening hours: 10: 00-16: 00
- Ground: 1874
In the small village of Velke Popovice not far from the capital of the Czech Republic there is a large landmark - the plant "Velkopopovitskiy Kozel". His emblem, the bearded goat, is known to everyone, and the motto of the old brewery is translated into Russian so: "Who can do it?". Let's find out what this place is famous for and why there are always a lot of visitors.
Emergence and development
For the first time, Velke-Popovice is mentioned in the documents of the 16th century, where the taste and quality of the local beer is praised. Then the brewery was at the Benedictine monastery. When it was closed by the order of Emperor Joseph II, the Popovic Castle was temporarily empty, and then it was bought by Frantisek Ringhoffer. He founded a large brewery here , buying modern equipment and using the ancient "monastic" technologies.
In 1874 the first beer was brewed under the official name "Velkopopovitsky Goat". Some decline in business occurred in the years of World War II, when the western regions of the Czech Republic, where hops were grown, passed under German rule. Later the production volumes were restored, and due to the fact that the quality of the drink was the main concept of the brewery, the "Velkopopovitsky Goat" is still considered one of the best brands in the Czech Republic. Its name is known all over the world, as well as the logo painted by a stray French artist as a token of gratitude for hospitality.
"Velkopopovitsky Goat" in our days
In 1996, "Goat" became the first Czech brewery, which acquired its own Internet site. In 2007, she opened a corporate restaurant called "Kozlovna", and in 2009 - a whole network of such establishments. To visit a restaurant with a brewery is definitely worth it. Here guests can enjoy delicious Czech cuisine and fresh draft beer, incl. fashionable tank. Prices pleasantly surprise tourists, especially those accustomed to high capital rates.
Today, the Kozel factory owns the Stock Company Radegast Brewery, the largest in the country. There are 3 kinds of light beer (Světlý, 11 ° Medium and Premium), as well as unfiltered and loved by many dark (Černý).
Excursion to the "Velkopopovitsky Goat"
The excursion carried out by the workers of the plant and the beer museum is called Po stopách Kozla ("Following the Goat"). In the course of it you can:
- learn many interesting facts about the foundation and founder of the brewery, its employees and technical equipment;
- see the actual production process in the shop (by the way, fully automated);
- tasting light beer;
- to get acquainted with the living symbol of the brewery - a real goat, whose photo is decorated with advertising posters of the "Velkopopovitskiy Kozel";
- to purchase thematic souvenirs (t-shirts with themed prints, openers, birdekeli).
Excursions are possible in either Czech, English or Russian (the latter option is more expensive).
Organized from Prague, trips here are often combined with a visit to the castles of Konopishte and Orlik.
How to get to the brewery "Velkopopovitskiy Kozel"?
The easiest way to get to the factory is with an excursion. They are sold by numerous Prague travel agencies. However, one should take into account the high cost of such trips and time restrictions.
You can come here on your own. Prague and Wielka Popovice share only 20 km. From Strancice station the Veelke Popovice bus departs, you need to get off at the Velke popovice-skola stop. Excursions around the plant are 4 times a day. After visiting the brewery, you can visit the restaurant "Kozlovna" and take a walk in the very picturesque surroundings of the village.