U Fleků is Prague’s oldest brewpub still in operation. Records show that Maltster and Brewer Vít Skřemenec bought the building in 1499.

In 1499, forty-seven year-old Leonardo da Vinci had successfully tested his flying machine design just three years earlier. And twenty-four year old Michelangelo was just completing his sculpture called the Pietà now housed in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City. Furthermore, Christopher Columbus paid his first visit to the “New World” just seven years earlier.

Pietà, completed in 1499 by Michelangelo – the only piece Michelangelo ever signed.

History of U Fleků

Prior to World War II, the Brtník family owned the brewpub. However, after World War II the brewery was nationalized with the onset of Communist rule. The Brtník family regained the brewery and restaurant in 1991, after the fall of the Communist regime

In Czech, “U Fleků” means “At the Spot”. Continuously brewing beer for over 520 years, U Fleků is a pilgrimage spot for Czechs as well as knowledgeable beer lovers from all over the world. This brewpub has seen more visitors than one can imagine, famous and unknown alike. And just try to fathom how many beers have been served.

Visiting

You receive your first hint that U Fleků is packed with charm, character and history when walking up to the entrance. The front facade of the building has an old, ornate clock above its door.

Entrance to U Fleků

Passing through the front entry, you’ll discover that U Fleků houses eight halls and a garden, all of which have their own history and unique decor. When the weather is nice, all the action and fun is in the outdoor, walled beer garden. One of the largest beer gardens in Prague, the garden can seat up to 500 people at community tables nestled under shady trees.

U Fleků can serve up to 1200 guests.

The restaurant serves Old Bohemian specialties and classical Czech dishes. Try the smoked pork neck, red cabbage, and dumplings.

U Fleků makes only one beer – a dark lager with robust spicy and coffee notes. The U Fleků dark lager is brewed using all natural ingredients – water, hops, yeast and four kinds of barley malt. They use no artificial colors or preservatives. At 5% ABV, it is a perfect beer for lunch. Visitors consume about 2000 glasses of U Fleků’s beer daily. And you can buy this beer only at their restaurant and gift store.

Dark Lager

Czechs love their beer. In fact, the Czech Republic consumes more beer per capita than any other nation in the world. But going to the pub in the Czech Republic means so much more than simply going out to drink. Instead, a pub visit quenches one’s thirst to meet others, engage in conversation, debate ideas and seek solutions for the world’s problems. All these things take place while drinking and eating in a pub. For example, when Bill Clinton visited the Czech Republic in 1994, Czech President Vaclav Havel took him to another iconic pub called The Golden Tiger (read about it by clicking here) to discuss relations between the Czech Republic and United States.

Expect to meet interesting people when visiting. During our visit, my wife and I met three gentlemen from Stockholm. One played in a heavy metal band, wore a studded denim vest and sported various piercings and tattoos. Another was a home brewer. We were thrilled to make friends with them.

We visit breweries to meeting interesting people and learn about local culture.

U Fleků is a must stop in Prague for any beer traveler. You’ll get a taste of “days gone by” while making new friends and discovering more about the fascinating culture of Prague and the Czech Republic.