Curious about a village landmark dating back to the 16th century? That’s the Lobeč Brewery. We are standing in front of a place brimming with history. It offers a unique glimpse into Czech brewing traditions.
Lobeč itself is a charming village in the Central Bohemian Region. The first written mention of the Lobeč Brewery dates back to April 7 1586. Jindřich Lobečský of Lobeč sold the brewery to his cousin Bohunka Kelblová of Geyzink. Back then, the brewery already included a malt house and a pub.
During the Thirty Years’ War, the brewery became the property of Albrecht von Wallenstein. In 1631, the brewery produced 19 batches. Each batch contained 20 barrels. It also operated three pubs and nine taverns.
Later, in 1638, Robert Geraldine, an Irish Lieutenant Colonel, acquired Lobeč. The Geraldines modernized the brewery. They also established a distillery opposite it.
In 1654, Odolen Věžník of Věžník modernized the brewery. He wanted greater sales. After a fire at the neighboring Mšeno Brewery, the Lobeč nobility forced serfs to buy beer exclusively from Lobeč. In 1727, Jan Ignác Věžník built a Baroque chateau above the brewery. The brewery used its ancient rock cellars as a cellar during summer.
The brewery continued to change hands. The burgher family Vaňka bought the Lobeč estate in 1828. In 1878, Vaňek’s heirs sold the brewery to Mr and Mrs Mündl. They leased it to the brewer Bohuslav Keller.
In 1891, JUDr Rudolf Cicvárek bought the brewery and manor farm. He invested in its reconstruction and modernization. The brewery became a steam-engine powered operation. It had a brewing capacity of 60 hl of beer. Its annual production was 10000 hl.
The First World War caused a sharp decrease in production. In 1927, the Podkováň Brewery bought the brewery. But the brewery stagnated due to a lack of investment.
Beer production stopped in 1943. The remaining technology was mothballed. The brewery was nationalized in 1948. It was closed down a year later. The complex fell into disrepair.
In May 2007, architects Pavel and Jana Prouza noticed the building. They became the owners. They began the process of rescuing the brewery.
The building rescue led to the revival of the Lobeč beer brand in 2015. The renewed brewery produces craft beer from original recipes. It uses local ingredients. You can now enjoy guided tours of the historical parts of the brewery. The Steam Powered Brewery Lobeč is a popular tourist attraction. Its rich history and revitalized brewing tradition make it a unique destination.