Pilsner Urquell and a fabulous coaster. Photo by burge5000

Tourists flock to Prague for its Gothic architecture, striking art, affordable performances, and yes… zlevneny pivo, or “cheap beer.” Once you’ve polished off a half-liter of Staropramen, why not pick up the free coaster on which it sat?

Coast to coaster

For centuries, agricultural conditions in the Czech republic have proven ideal for growing hops. Historians place beer brewing as early as 859 AD. By 1200, most residents of the landlocked countryside had a home brew of their own. After the Velvet Revolution of 1989, investors started flooding into the Czech beer market, and the suds have been flowing ever since.

Today, the Czech population drinks an impressive (estimated) 156 liters of beer per person, per year. National brews, including Pilsner Urquell, Gambrinus, and Bernard, are served everywhere at anytime, even in breakfast cafés.

A half-liter of pivo ranges in price from CZK 24 to CZK 97 ($1.25 to $5 USD). Most pubs plunk drinks down on promotional coasters replete with enticing photos and slogans in the Western Slavik tongue. Grab yours… and maybe your neighbor’s, as well. They’ll be a hit back home.

While you’re at it…

Grab a bunch of arty Mucha postcards suitable for framing. Alfons Mucha was born in Ivancice, Moravia in 1860 and would later be attributed as the creator of the art nouveau art style. After dropping into a print shop in Paris, Mucha became an overnight sensation with his promotional poster for “Gismonda,” a popular play starring Sarah Bernhardt. Much postcards sell for CZK 12 ($.60 USD) to CZK 20 ($1 USD).

Popularity: 7% [?]

Munich is a festival of budget-friendly mementos. The capital of Bavaria is also the home of intricately-designed (and internationally celebrated) glass and porcelain beer steins. Drink up a round of cheapo possibilities.

Souvenirs brewing

On September 27, 1589, Wilheim V, the Duke of Bavaria, decided to build a brewery instead of importing beer from Lower Saxony. He kindly asked the brewmaster from Geisenfeld Monastery to “hops” to it and the rest is brew-story. Hofbrauhaus Munchen is still owned by the state government today.

Not only have the glasses and steins from the city’s famous beer gardens become symbolic of Bavarian culture, but the cheap prices of these symbols are worth toasting.

Beer vessels blanket the Bavarian landscape. Seemingly every airport kiosk, gift shop, and street vendor features a stein or two (hundred). Prices usually start at about $10 USD and climb upward from there, depending on the size, design, and craftsmanship involved.

The question isn’t so much where to find steins as which one to purchase. Will it be the tall one with the metal top depicting a milk maid holding edelweiss? Or, will it be the glass Masskrug sporting the HB logo? To get a sneak peak of some of the steins awaiting you, check out Bavariashop.com’s impressive inventory of 62 steins for sale.

While you’re at it…

Pick up some local items with the ubiquitous Bavarian coat of arms. Napkins, flags, playing cards, and wind sticks can be found around town sporting the blue and white diamond pattern.

Also see: Check out the Hofbrauhaus’ website for information on tours of the brewery and for its exhaustive history of the brewery and explanation of the beer-making process. Also check out our recommended budget hotels in Munich.

Photo above: Beer stein shopping in Munich. Photo by thesheriff

Popularity: 9% [?]

Photo by The Sly Gentleman

Everyone has heard of Munich’s Oktoberfest, but few people know of Bratislava’s Junifest, which will celebrate its fourth year this June, from June 8 through June 17, 2007.

This is a shame, because Slovak beer is excellent and the festival has a great program, and is very cheap. A ten-entry pass costs SKK550 (€16.25; $22) and includes a free Junifest beer glass, a discount card, vouchers, and ten raffle tickets.

And the festival is certainly not just about beer. Every night is a themed music night, rock, dance, R-n-B concerts as well as a men’s night and a ladies’ night, and also a performance by the Scorpions. The highlight of the festival: an attempt to break the Guinness Book of Records entry for the largest mass toast.

Popularity: 10% [?]

Photo by CELL0

There are plenty of reasons to embrace new technology, but any technology that facilitates drinking—especially in Prague—is sure to catch on fast. That’s proven to be the case with a brand-new beer vending machine created by two Czech businessmen.

The machines, supported by the Pilsner Urquell brewery, debuted last month at 20 locations throughout Prague and have proven to be quite a success.

How do they keep underage drinkers away? By scanning passports and identification cards. The machines recognize ID cards issued by European Union states. If the prospective buyer’s ID indicates that he or she is underage, the money is returned and the vending machine voids the sale of the ice-cold brew. With the scanner, machines cost around $7500. Beer prices should undercut those at 24-hour stores in Prague, which charge something of a premium. What’s more, different machines will carry different types of Pilsner Urquell beer, depending on the location.

Now, if only they would only start installing the machines in offices…

Popularity: 6% [?]

Yes, Paris is a wine city.

But if you’re looking for a good pint in the City of Light, l’Académie de la Bière is the place to go.

It has a huge beer list, which includes most of the Trappist beers. Its menu items are decently priced, and its Happy Hour from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weeknights is lively. The atmosphere is very chilled out and tavern-like, but who are we kidding? The 100+ varieties of beer are all it takes to get us there.

Address: 88bis Boulevard de Port Royal (5th arrondissement), not far from the south exit of the Luxembourg gardens. Telephone: 01.43.54.66.65.

The closest metro is the RER B at Port Royal, though Les Goblins (line 7) is also pretty close by.

Popularity: 2% [?]