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The good, the bud and the ugly

March 31, 2020 | Michael Turtle | 1 Comment

BREWERY TOUR

Budweiser Factory, České Budějovice, Czech Republic

What’s in a name? When it comes to Budweiser, the answer is years of bitter trademark disputes across the world.

Most people – myself included – probably think of the American beer when they hear the name. Budweiser (the US company) spends millions of dollars in advertising at sporting events that are telecast around the world.

It’s no wonder that’s the first association we make.

But in actual fact, in the majority of countries, if a beer is called Budweiser it’s probably coming from this relatively innocuous brewery in the city of České Budějovice in the Czech Republic.

Budweiser brewery tour, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic

The name says it all. In German, České Budějovice is called Budweis. The name quite literally says that it is from this city. So how did a US company end up using it?

Well, it started when a brewery from this Czech city started exporting its beer to the US in 1871. Five years later, in 1876, the American distributors started using the name Budweiser.

Budweiser brewery tour, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic

It wasn’t for another couple of decades, in 1895, that another Czech brewery was formed in České Budějovice. It called itself Budweiser Budvar.

A seemingly innocent enough name, referencing the city it was based in, but it was the beginning of legal action that is still going on more than a century later.

I’ll come back to the lawsuits in a minute. To understand a bit more, though, let me take you into the heart of the Czech Budweiser.

Budweiser brewery tour, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic

Budweiser Budva factory tour

I am staying in the city of České Budějovice for a couple of nights during my travels through the Czech Republic and I decide to take a tour of the Budweiser factory one afternoon.

The centre of the city has a historic feel, with a market square of colourful facades topped with metal spires. But if you walk for about 30 minutes you hit a more industrial area on the outskirts where the brewery is located.

I sign up for the daily public tour and, as I’m led through the compound, I can see all the action.

Forklifts whizz by, machinery whirs away, and crates of beer are stacked up everywhere.

It’s clean and efficient and there’s something modern about the technology… but it also has the feel of European tradition to it.

Budweiser brewery tour, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic

In the brew house, for instance, the historic copper tops of the tanks stand between walls with a slightly Soviet feel.

In a cellar with more tanks – these ones used to mature the beer – the corridor is concrete with fluorescent lighting and I feel as though I’m in an Eastern European dungeon (not that I’ve ever been in one, for the record).

Budweiser brewery tour, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic

In the cellar, everyone in the tour is given a cup of beer straight from the tanks – before the final processes like bottling and pasteurisation have taken place.

Pure, fresh. Untouched by the techniques that allow it to be exported, before it has any labels glued on that will associate it with the legal conflict beyond these walls.

It’s just beer and it’s the taste that matters. The genuine article, perhaps.

Budweiser brewery tour, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic

My favourite part of the tour comes in the packaging hall. The enormous room is filled with sound and movement, as conveyer belts rattle bottles along at high speed.

There’s a jangling ricocheting through the air, as glass constantly taps glass.

Budweiser brewery tour, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic

The tour group watches it all from an elevated metal walkway that crosses from one side to another. I look over, down towards the machines, and it’s almost like a mini city, with large highways, smaller roads and parking stations… except with bottles instead of cars.

The bottles pass through different machines that perform different tasks – washing, filling, labelling, closing, packing. Until there’s a final product.

40,000 bottles can be processed here in an hour!

Budweiser brewery tour, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic

Budweiser vs Budweiser Budva

The Budweiser Budva brewery here in České Budějovice is a large operation but it has elements that remind you it’s still a local company.

For instance, the water for all the beer comes from the same site, from the ground below. About 40 litres is brought up every second from an artesian well that is 320 metres deep.

The American beer… well, it is made in 12 breweries in the US, 14 breweries in China and in 9 other countries. Not really comparable.

Budweiser brewery tour, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic

And that brings me back to the trademark dispute. It has been going on for more than a century, since 1907, and has involved more than 100 individual court cases across the world.

The current state of play is that the two companies have the right to market their product as ‘Budweiser’ in different countries.

For instance, if you drink a Budweiser in Australia, the UK or Canada, it will be the American one. If you drink a Budweiser in most of Europe, it will be the Czech one.

When the competitor is selling their product in a country where they don’t own the trademark, they call it something different.

Budweiser brewery tour, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic

Ultimately, if you know what you’re getting, it doesn’t make a difference. But I do feel sorry for those who drink the American beer, thinking they are getting the Czech one.

That’s the one thing I do have a strong opinion on, having spent a bit of time in the Czech Republic. The beer here is great and the world would be a better place if you could easily get it everywhere!

How do you get to the Budweiser brewery?

The address of the Budweiser brewery is K. Světlé 512/4, 370 04, České Budějovice. Click here to see it on a map.

It takes about 30 minutes to walk from the main train station or the centre of the city. Or use tram #2 to get there by public transport.

When is the Budweiser brewery tour?

From March until December, there is just a tour each day at 1400 (2pm).
In July and August, there is an extra tour at 1100 (11am).
In January and February, there are no tours on Monday or Sunday.

How much does it cost for a Budweiser brewery tour?

The tour costs 120Kc per person (US$4.70), with a concession ticket costing 60Kc (US$2.35). Children aged 6 or under are free.
The tour includes a guide in English, German or Czech. It takes about an hour.

More information

For more information, you can visit the official website here.

THE BEST ACCOMMODATION IN ČESKÉ BUDEJOVICE

It’s a small city and you should be able to find something nice in the historic centre or walking distance from the train station..

BACKPACKER

If you’re looking for a budget option, I would suggest Cuba Bar and Hostel in the centre of the city.

BUDGET

For something a bit local, Hotel Bohemia is a good option because it has a popular beer garden on site.

BOUTIQUE

For a cool and stylish option, you should try U Tří Hrušek Suites & Apartments.

LUXURY

And if you’re after a bit of luxury, have a look at Zvon Design Suites.

Czech Travel Guide

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CZECH REPUBLIC?

See my Czech Republic Travel Guide

To help you plan your Czech Republic travel:

  • What to do in Prague in a day
  • The best hike you can do near Prague
  • Why you can’t miss the stunning town of Cesky Krumlov
  • The best day trips you can do from Prague
  • Visit the creepy church decorated with bones
  • My favourite castle in the Czech Republic
  • The small Czech brewery taking on an American giant
  • Visiting the prettiest town square in the whole country
  • An incredible church with a design unlike you’ve ever seen

Let someone else do the work for you:

You may also want to consider taking a tour of the Czech Republic, rather than organising everything on your own. It’s also a nice way to have company if you are travelling solo.

I am a ‘Wanderer’ with G Adventures and they have great tours of the Czech Republic.

You could consider:

  • The best of Eastern Europe from Berlin to Budapest (14 days)
  • National Geographic Central Europe Journey (9 days)
  • Eastern Europe, Croatia and the Balkans (28 days)

When I travel internationally, I always get insurance. It’s not worth the risk, in case there’s a medical emergency or another serious incident. I recommend you should use World Nomads for your trip.

Reader Interactions

    Comments Cancel reply

  1. Ashley |

    May 30, 2018 at 11:10 pm

    Reply

    Interesting! I had no idea there was another Budweiser!

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This is the website of travel writer, Michael Turtle. After working in broadcast journalism for a decade in Australia, Michael left Sydney to travel the world indefinitely and write about the places, people and experiences he discovers. This isn't a diary - these are real stories from the world.

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