The Czech Republic, which comprises Bohemia and Moravia, is a paradise for hopheads. Hop growing in Bohemia dates as far back as 859 A.D. The Saaz hops grown here are considered some of the finest bouquet hops in the world. Czech malted barley is also a big export.
Pilsners, the most popular of all lagers, were first produced in Pilsen, Bohemia, in 1842. The best pilsners are still held up in comparison to the Bohemian style, which is clear and golden, malty and hoppy. In fact, the Czechs believe that a true pilsner can only be made in the town of the same name, where the water is distinctively soft.
The other famous Bohemian brewing town is Budweis, which also has a long brewing history. In the 1500s, Budweis was supplying beer to the Bohemian royal court; by the 1600s, 44 breweries already existed in the town. Though Anheuser-Busch has been using their name since the 1870s, only beer from that town is considered "original" Budweiser.
In every other Eastern European country, at least one major brewery exists. Poland, which is home to at least 70 breweries, has two famous ones in the Crakow area--Zywiec and Okocim. Hungary has Köbánya, a brewery that began in the mid-1800s by lagering their beer in great rock caverns of Budapest. The former Soviet Union produces a high volume of beer, with about 60 brands of beer spread throughout its provinces and newly-formed countries. Zhiguli beer, which can be found in the West, is the most widely available.
