Beer and crystal

The Czech town of Pilsen where the name ‘pilsner' originated, and Czech beers are outstanding. A drive around the country reveals countless hop farms with large tracts of farmland covered with huge frames, up which the hops grow several metres skywards during the summer - and the smell of beer is unmistakable. The oldest Czech beer recipes are hand-written and date back to 1088. Today, there are 80 breweries in the Czech Republic.

There is also considerable wine growing in the Czech Republic, but it is the Czech wineglasses which have received most attention. For centuries, Bohemian crystal has been a sought-after product all over the world. The Czech glass-making tradition goes all the way back to 3rd century. Back then it was glass beads - then came the glasses. The breakthrough came when a jeweller discovered that it was possible to grind glass using the same process as for precious stones. In Karlovy Vary, you will find the 150-year-old Moser glassworks, one of the most famous in the country.