Pivovar Cvikov

Pivovar Cvikov is a Czech brewery based in the town of Cvikov, in the Liberec Region of the Czech Republic. Its origins date back to 1560, when the provincial nobility granted 72 Cvikov townsmen the privilege to brew wheat beer and produce malt. The brewery operated in various forms for centuries, with a major facility built between 1866 and 1882. After nationalisation in 1948, it was incorporated into the North Bohemian Breweries and ceased production on 1 January 1968. The buildings then served as warehouses, a car repair shop, a disco, and even a mushroom farm. In 2013, businessman Jiří Jakoubek purchased the dilapidated premises with the aim of restoring brewing operations. After about a year of reconstruction, the brewery reopened in late November 2014 with a grand celebration attended by 5,000 visitors. The revival introduced a core range of beers named after local mountains: Klíč (12°), Hvozd (11°), Luž (10°), Sklář (8°), and Sváteční (13°). The brewery also operates a restaurant, Sladovna, and a hotel, Kleis, on its premises. In early 2024, Pivovar Cvikov merged with the Kutná Hora Municipal Brewery, expanding its portfolio of craft beers. The brewery continues to brew traditional Czech lagers using local ingredients and spring water from the foothills of the Lusatian Mountains. Its beers are distributed not only regionally but also in Prague and Liberec. The company remains privately owned and has won awards, including second place for its Luž 10° in the 2015 Pivo roku competition and recognition for Sklář 8° as the best new bottom-fermented beer of 2015.

The history of brewing in Cvikov dates back to 1560, when the provincial nobility granted 72 Cvikov townsmen the privilege to brew wheat beer and produce malt. The first town brewery stood until 1731, after which another was built on today's Žitavská Street. When that proved insufficient, a new complex was constructed between 1866 and 1882. In 1909, it was partially rebuilt, gaining new cellars and equipment. After 1945, it was owned by the Právovarečné měšťanstvo (burgher brewing rights holders) and modernised. Following nationalisation in 1948, it was incorporated into the North Bohemian Breweries, national enterprise Vratislavice, later under the management of breweries in Louny, and on 1 January 1968, operations ceased. The buildings were then used as warehouses, a car repair shop, a mushroom farm, and a disco venue. A new chapter began in 2013 when private businessman Jiří Jakoubek purchased the dilapidated premises with the goal of restoring brewing. After about a year of reconstruction, the brewery held a grand reopening in late November 2014, attended by 5,000 visitors. The restaurant Sladovna was opened on the premises. The initial beers were Klíč (12°), Luž (10°), and Sklář (8°). Director Viktor Tkadlec announced plans to sell beer in the restaurant, in barrels, and in PET bottles, with no plans for a bottling plant at that time. Kitchen staff were trained by chefs from Prague's Hotel Alcron. On 28 November 2015, the brewery celebrated its first anniversary with a series of bands and the tapping of a Výroční čtrnáctka (Anniversary 14°). The regular range included Sklář 8°, Luž 10°, Hvozd 11°, Klíč 12°, and Sváteční 13°. Cvikov beers were sold not only regionally but also in Prague and Liberec. In November 2015, the ten-degree Luž was declared the second-best pale draught beer in the Czech Republic in the Pivo roku (Beer of the Year) poll organised by the Association of Friends of Beer. In December 2015, the professional magazine Pivo, Bier & Ale named the eight-degree Sklář the best new bottom-fermented draught beer of 2015. In early 2024, Pivovar Cvikov merged with the Kutná Hora Municipal Brewery, expanding its offer of quality craft beers. The brewery continues to operate a restaurant, hotel, and bakery on its premises, and offers brewery tours. It brews with traditional technology using Czech ingredients and spring water from the foothills of the Lusatian Mountains.

• 2024

  Merger with Kutná Hora Municipal Brewery.

• 2015

  First anniversary celebration; Luž 10° wins second place in Pivo roku; Sklář 8° named best new bottom-fermented beer.

• 2014

  Brewery reopens in late November after reconstruction; restaurant Sladovna opens.

• 2013

  Jiří Jakoubek purchases the dilapidated brewery for restoration.

• 1968

  Brewing operations cease on 1 January.

• 1948

  Brewery nationalised and incorporated into North Bohemian Breweries.

• 1909

  Brewery partially rebuilt with new cellars and equipment.

• 1866

  Construction of the new brewery complex begins (completed 1882).

• 1731

  First town brewery ceases operation; another is built on Žitavská Street.

• 1560

  Provincial nobility grants 72 Cvikov townsmen the privilege to brew wheat beer and produce malt.

Traditional Czech brewery revived as a craft beer producer, emphasizing local ingredients, spring water, and historical heritage.

• Klíč 12°

  Light lager, 12° Plato.

• Hvozd 11°

  Light lager, 11° Plato.

• Luž 10°

  Unfiltered, unpasteurised pale lager, 10° Plato, 4.2% ABV.

• Sklář 8°

  Unfiltered, unpasteurised light beer, 8° Plato, 3.7% ABV.

• Sváteční 13°

  Semi-dark lager, 13° Plato.

• Kleis 13°

  Occasional beer.

• Výroční 14°

  Anniversary beer, 14° Plato.

• Královské 12°

  Occasional beer, 12° Plato.

• Žitný speciál 13°

  Rye special, 13° Plato.

• Jarní jedenáctka

  Spring eleven, 11° Plato.

1. 1Pivovar Cvikov official websitepivovarcvikov.cz
2. 2Our story | Pivovar Cvikovpivovarcvikov.cz
3. 3Pivovar Cvikov - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Pivovar Cvikov - Czech Wikipediacs.wikipedia.org