Radegast

Radegast

The Radegast Brewery in Nošovice near Frýdek-Místek in the picturesque foothills of the Beskids is one of the most significant and youngest breweries in the Czech Republic, whose history began in 1965 with the laying of the foundation stone and commenced in earnest on 3 December 1970 with the brewing of the first batch of beer. The name Radegast is a statement of intent: named after the Slavic god of hospitality Radegast, who was venerated in the mythology of the West Slavs as the patron deity of guests, trade and prosperity, the brewery carries its unmistakable spirit of openness and hospitality in every sip of its beer. The legendary slogan «Život je hořký: Bohudík» – in English «Life is bitter: Thank God» – captures the independent and humorous character of this Moravian beer brand in an inimitable way.

What makes Radegast special is its consistent regionalism: only raw materials from the immediate surrounding area are used for brewing – aromatic hops from the region around Olomouc, where hops have been cultivated since the 16th century, malting barley from the Zlín area and crystal-clear spring water from the Moravka river, sourced directly from the Beskids at an altitude of around 800 metres above sea level. This uncompromising commitment to regional quality and traditional Bohemian brewing craft made Radegast one of the most popular and characterful beers in the Czech Republic and drove the brewery's growth in an impressive manner: in 1988 annual production exceeded the milestone of one million hectolitres for the first time, and by 1998 two million hectolitres had already been achieved.

Following privatisation in 1990 and the founding of Pivovar Radegast a.s., the brewery joined the largest Czech brewing group Plzeňský Prazdroj – the producer of the world-famous Pilsner Urquell – in 1999 and has therefore been part of the international Asahi Group since 2017, the sixteenth largest brewing group in the world. The unique visitor centre «Radegast's Sanctuary» in Nošovice invites guests to look behind the scenes of the brewing process and to enjoy freshly tapped Radegast beer with a panoramic view of the Beskids and Lysá hora mountain in the spectacular tasting tower high above the brewery.