Pivovarské muzeum v Plzni
The largest specialist brewing museum in the Czech Republic, housed in a Gothic brewing-rights house in the centre of Plzeň, with a malthouse, city walls, cellars and a collection of beer curiosities.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Brewing Museum is housed in a 15th-century brewing-rights house in Veleslavínova Street in the historic centre of Plzeň. The house was gradually rebuilt and took on its present form in the 19th century; for roughly three centuries a number of maltsters worked in it, and the malthouse operated until 1867. The first written mention of a malthouse in this house dates from 1607.
The museum was founded in 1959 and is among the oldest brewing museums in Europe. Today it is the largest specialist museum of its kind in the Czech Republic and is run by Plzeňský Prazdroj. The tour leads through the original Gothic malthouse, where the soaking and germination of grain are shown, and is complemented by a steam engine that powered the malt crusher at the brewery in Blatná from 1900 to 1978.
Visitors also walk through a section of the double Plzeň city walls with a rampart, where Žatec hops are grown today, and through the historic two-storey cellars, where beer was once fermented and lagered and ice was stored. The collections include beer tankards made of glass, ceramic and pewter, a series of bottles and other collectors’ items, among them the smallest and largest beer jug and a glass keg from the 19th century, in which beer is said to have been transported as far as the Vatican.
Highlights
- Original Gothic malthouse with a well and the steam engine from the Blatná brewery
- Section of the double city walls with a rampart and hop garden
- Historic two-storey cellars beneath the brewing-rights house
- Collection of beer tankards, bottles and curiosities, including the smallest and largest jug
- Copper hammered jug made in honour of Emperor Franz Joseph
Permanent exhibition
- Stálá expozice Pivovarského muzea – The exhibition traces the history of brewing from the Middle Ages to the present: the malthouse, the city walls, the cellars and a collection of beer vessels and curiosities.
- Founded
- 1959
- Operated by
- Plzeňský Prazdroj, a. s.
Admission & discounts
| Adults | 150 Kč |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 2 · Children under 3 enter free but must have their own ticket. |
CZK 150 covers a tour of about 60 minutes. After the tour, visitors over 18 receive a can of beer. Groups of more than 10 people can book a guided tour.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The tour is not step-free.
Kids & families
| Time needed | approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 2 |
Children under 3 enter free but need their own ticket. Beer after the tour is only for persons over 18.
Getting there & parking
By car
No on-site parking at the museum.
Parking is not possible on the museum premises; visitors can use the parking in the surrounding streets or the Rychtářka car park.
The museum is located in the historic centre of Plzeň.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Coat check: not available
Luggage cannot be stored; in exceptional cases bags can be left at reception at the visitor’s own risk. Bicycle racks are available.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes (CS, EN, DE) |
| Good to know | The museum can be visited independently without a guide, using the SmartGuide mobile app in Czech, English and German. Groups of more than 10 people can book a guided tour (reservations@asahibeer.cz). |
