U Fleků

U Fleků is a pub and microbrewery in Prague, Czech Republic. It occupies buildings around a central courtyard at Křemencova 11 in New Town, (Praha 1), not far from the National Theatre. The front facade of the building has an old, highly decorated clock above its door.

History

Originally a family business, the pub was founded in 1499, and therefore celebrated its fifth centenary in 1999. It has been referred to as the oldest brewery in Prague. In 1762 the brewery was bought by Jakub Flekovský, which gave its its current name : "U Fleků" means in Czech "At the Fleks'".It is popular with Prague tourists. After World War II the company was nationalised, and control was transferred to a board of management appointed by the state. Following the Velvet Revolution, the company was privatised.

The pub today

Customers can sit in the open air "beer garden" (on the model of the German "Biergarten") or inside in the pub. There are eight halls (rooms) to chose from, with the most famous one, with its original designs, called “Akademie” (Academy). Most of the halls are open for large groups only (with total seating for 1200 people). Customers sit at, and often share, long wooden tables and benches. Often strolling accordion and/or tuba players provide entertainment, and some customers like to sing along. On some nights, there is also a live cabaret show (fee, reservations needed). It features international dance routines (including Czech polka) and comedy.

There is a detailed museum tour in the former malt house building of the brewery, mainly explaining the brewing process over the centuries, with original machinery on display, and with taped audio (including English), (fee, reservations needed). There is also a tour of the brewery during the week, with a short film, beer tasting, and souvenir (fee, reservations needed). Visitors can also purchase an array of souvenirs at their gift shop, including a multitude of beer steins.

Tall dark wood panels decorate the walls, including some paintings and plaques, such as: A plaque was hung on the pub's wall in 2001 to commemorate the founding in 1911 of F.C. Hajduk, a foremost Croatian football club from Split (then also a part of Austro-Hungarian Empire).

Brewing

The pub has only one kind of beer, its own popular dark lager with 5 percent alcohol ABV, brewed at 13° plato. The beer, "Flekovsky Tmavy Lezák 13°" ("The Flek Dark Double Lager at 13°P"), also known as "Flekovská třináctka" ("The Flek Thirteen"), is brewed on the premises and is not available anywhere else. Traditional Czech meals are served. Prices are considerably higher than other local pubs, and beer is served in measures of 40cl as opposed to the 50cl standard in almost all other Czech pubs.

ources

* [http://www.ufleku.cz/ "Ufleku.cz"] - Official website
* [http://www.radio.cz/en/article/41150 "Radio Praha"] - "A visit to Prague's famous U Fleku Brewery and Pub", 28-05-2003, Jan Velinger
* [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=travel&res=9403E6D8123BF937A25750C0A964948260 "New York Times"] - "Prague's Foamy Delights", 14-03-82, Henry Kamm