Brewers from Plzeňský Prazdroj and Pivovar Matuška joined efforts to brew the special “First” lager for the 100th anniversary of the Czechoslovakian State.
Plzeňský Prazdroj and Pivovar Matuška decided to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Czechoslovakia by brewing a special lager called “First”. In addition to Czech hops, the brewers used two hop varieties cultivated in the US. The beer is therefore of both Czech and American origin. In this way, both breweries salute the USA for their assistance in establishing the first democratic State of the Czech and Slovak people.
There’s yet another unique feature of the project – the cooperation of a major brewery and a small business. “We were inspired by the courage and enthusiasm of people when our country was established – they weren’t afraid to try something new. We also wanted to launch something unique on our market, so we joined our efforts, prepared a recipe, and brewed a new lager,” says Martin Matuška, owner and Master Brewer of his family brewery.
Limited Edition
Both breweries, Prazdroj and Matuška, put most emphasis on the quality of raw materials, the storage and draft process. There’s simple logic in their cooperation, as Martin Matuška is a graduate from a brewing school in Pilsen, who has maintained a long friendship with Pilsen brewers. “The whole idea was born in spring 2018. Matuška brews American ales, we make world-famous lagers. We decided to use the best of both worlds to commemorate the anniversary of the Republic,” says Prazdroj’s Head Brewmaster Václav Berka.
“First” lager was available in pubs of Plzeňský Prazdroj involved in the Brewers’ Choice, and in contracted pubs of Matuška Brewery. There was also a limited bottle edition with the label based on the unused drafts of the original Czechoslovakian national flag.
