Ústí nad Labem, Střekov castle and Březňák brewery – enjoy your visit!

Ústí nad Labem, Střekov castle and Březňák brewery – enjoy your visit!

The town of Ústí nad Labem is strongly influenced by the fact that it has been an industry centre for more than 100 years.  However, slowly and steadily the town is becoming famous also for its culture, sport and business.  Ústí nad Labem is situated in the heart of a nature conservation area České Středohoří (Czech Central Mountains) with its dominant the river Labe/Elbe  valley and so called Porta Bohemica (The Gate of Bohemia).

It is necessary to mention that Ústí nad Labem is a university town. The University of J.E. Purkyně has 8 parts, one them is the Social-economic faculty and the Faculty of natural sciences.

The region of Ústí nad Labem is a tremendous challenge for further strategy of development. The region suffers both from decline of coal mining and deindustrialization that is causing serious economic problems, both from crisis of identity. The region used to be a part of the former Sudetenland, where the majority German population was forced to leave at the end of the Second World War, to be replaced by people with no connection to the place. Thus the boarder of Sudetenland is still readable in statistics of unemployment, education or election attendance.

Střekov Castle

Before 1319, the Střekov Castle was built by Jan Lucemburský to protect the Elbe river cruise. In the 19th century, the castle was re-discovered as a romantic ruin and was partially restored. The castle was visited, for example, by Johann Wolfgang Goethe or Richard Wagner, who was inspired by it and composed  his famous Tannhäuser opera here. There is a very beautiful view from the castle onto the Elbe Valley and Ústí nad Labem. http://www.lobkowicz.com/en/collections/strekov-castle/

Březňák

Why is the consumption of beer declining? What makes the Březňák so unique?

Let’s explore it. A written guide will lead us through the traditional way of barley malting, fermentation, maturing, up to the tasting hall and the sale of gift packs, branded glass and souvenirs. Is that the 260-year old tradition, the red Žatec hops or the triple hop adding which has once helped it win the title “The beer of the Czech Republic”?

We will see.