"We want to push the values of Czech beer culture": How experts from Lokál founded the PIVO Institute.
We give beer a good name
Combine your love of beer with one of our courses, beer walks or business events. You'll learn how to spot a good pour, and how to do it yourself. Wherever you might be.
An institution that offers perfect beer care was created to make carefully tended beer the Czech standard. "Our main mission is to develop and preserve the craft of brewing for future generations. We are making a good name for Czech lager, not only in this country, but also in the world," summarises Lucka Janečková, who is responsible for this as a member of the four-person team. Together with the bartenders Tomáš Krčmář and Pavel Bübel and the production manager Tereza Plášilová, she is trying to to promote and push the values of Czech beer culture.
It's primarily about the care of beer. Guests often don't even notice it, but the taproom staff have to manage it perfectly. "Many people associate beer with the fact that it's cheap and good and it doesn't matter in what condition they get it," Lucka muses.
That's why 15 years ago, in the first Lokál in Dlouhá Street (today there are seven Lokáls in Prague and one each in Brno and Pilsen), they set certain standards, which they are constantly raising and improving, trying to make sure that guests have the best possible enjoyment of beer not only in Lokál pubs but also other Ambiente establishments.
"We have been moving and learning for 15 years and I can't say we are even close to the end. In that time, however, not only have we moved forward, but so has the whole beer scene in the Czech Republic. Above all, the care of beer in restaurants has improved, even outside the Ambiente group," summarises Lucka Janečková.
Nevertheless, we cannot deny Lokál many firsts. They were the first to put the terms "hladinka", "šnyt" and "mlíko" back on the drinks list, they added a flow-through chilled bath to their taps, and figured out how to get the beer from the tank into the pint glass in the quickest possible way. In addition, they began to educate themselves in sanitation and set up a comprehensive system for training taproom staff.
They expanded and deepened their know-how when they opened a brewery with the Dva kohouti taproom. "We showed people that a perfectly conditioned beer doesn't have to be just a lager. This was topped off by Tereza Pospíšilová from Pult, who proves to us every day that even beer from a can or bottle can be poured with grace and the utmost care," emphasises Lucka.
The three main pillars of the company are education of the general and professional public, taking care of the Ambiente and Lokál restaurants and the training of bartenders, and last but not least technical matters such as sanitation and the construction of new taprooms. "We are the only ones in the Czech Republic to add our own sanitation to the recommended standard sanitation, a larger process that ensures the best quality beer," adds Lucie. They are happy to pass on their experience to anyone who is interested in their expertise.
What else does PIVO Institute do?
Courses and beer tours
The PIVO Institute team knows a lot about beer and are happy to share their knowledge. At fun beer walks, the master brewers guide interested parties through famous breweries and sights, around Prague Castle, the Lesser Town, Charles Bridge and the Old and New Town.
An example is the Prague Beer Zoo, a route named after the pubs that have an animal in their name. The path leads through the Black Ox, Hippo, Golden Tiger and Golden Elephant pubs, for example. Recently, a shorter version of this walk has been added, aptly named "Where to go for a beer".
Lukáš Svoboda's Tap School
The tapping school was founded 12 years ago by the bartender Lukáš Svoboda. He once said that we are a beer nation without a beer culture, and he decided to change that. And that meant not just talking the talk, but walking the walk. Today, other bartenders are following in his footsteps, guided by him. He teaches beer enthusiasts all about the intricate paths of beer to the pint glass, and how to tap different styles of beer from different taps, as well as the correct way to pour from a bottle at home. Both the courses and beer tours and the Tap School are also conducted in English.
Beer The Czech Way
"Last year we found out that more in-depth and comprehensive information about Czech beer and its care is also in great demand abroad. That's why the Beer The Czech Way programme was created, bringing together all the information about Czech lager, from the raw material to the draft pint, connecting the different aspects (brewing, technology, tapping). "It's a showcase of the Czech brewing craft and the specifics of Czech lager," Lucie Janečková describes what it's all about.
In the spring, the team of PIVO Institute, Lokál CZ, Pult and Dva Kohouti attended the global Craft Brewers Conference in Las Vegas. In addition to presentations and a beer tapping school, they also took part in a pub takeover. This autumn, they're going on a similar mission to Ontario, Canada.. "The goal is to show how Czech beer is made, how we take care of it, how we tap it, and to pass on our theoretical and practical knowledge," Lucka summarises.
Did you know that...?
- Approximately 1,000 people have visited the tapping school in 12 years.
- The largest Cirkus tap, which has a built-in refrigerated keg box, weighs 350 kg.
- During a pub takeover at Las Vegas' Beer Zombies, they tapped over 800 litres of beer in 6 hours.
Hosting events
In addition to showing brewers, tappers, and other beer lovers abroad how to care for their favourite beverage, once in a while they'll stage such an event online or in Prague. For example, this spring, when brewers from the U.S. and Canada came to the Czech Republic for a few days, as part of an event which is held about twice a year. An interesting and informative programme was prepared for them.
Mobile taps
"We can arrange beer just like Lokál's to turn up at any event, and it doesn't matter if there are ten or eight hundred of you. We have experience with both," smiles Lucie. All a customer has to do is select the ideal tap for the occasion and send a no-obligation enquiry. The PIVO Institute team will then arrange all the accessories and, of course, the beer of the customer's choice.
Education, but make it fun
In addition to the Tap School and beer courses, the team at PIVO Institute also educates the public through Instagram and their own blog, aptly named Pečlivě ošetřené pivo("Carefully Treated Beer"). There, you will find many articles focused on drinking, tapping and brewing beer, as well as a series on beer styles written by Lucie herself.
"Whether we're talking about beer care, courses, or the Beer The Czech Way program, it's extremely important for us to understand the journey of beer from raw ingredients to the pint that we serve the guest. We can only achieve a perfect result if we work together across these segments," concludes Lucie.
