Spa town and beer? More than you would expect
When you say "Marienbad", most people picture mineral springs and the colonnade. But western Bohemia is also home to one of the oldest brewing traditions in the world — and within a few kilometres of the town you will find breweries crafting honest Czech beer with the care it deserves.
From a family-run microbrewery right on the main street to the legendary Chodovar, where you can even bathe in beer.
Kronl Brewery — local beer right in the spa town
Where: Kollárova 94/26, Marienbad (right in town)
Kronl is the first and only family brewery in Marienbad, founded in 2018. The name is inspired by a famous local outlaw — and the beer is every bit as distinctive as his story.
What to taste
- Unfiltered, unpasteurised craft beer in the classic Czech style
- A selection of pale and dark lagers that change with the season
- Simple but excellent Czech food — homemade duck rillettes, sausages, roasted ribs, fresh soups
Why visit
Kronl is a brewpub with the authentic atmosphere of a Czech inn. No tourist traps — just fresh beer from the tank, honest food and friendly staff. An ideal stop after an afternoon walk through the spa park.
Contact: +420 723 531 521 | pivo@kronl.cz
Chodovar — brewery with beer baths
Where: Chodová Planá (9 km from Marienbad, 10 minutes by car)
Chodovar is a traditional family brewery in the picturesque village of Chodová Planá — and one of the most famous beer spas in Czechia.
Beer baths (Pravá Pivní Lázně)
A bath in an oak tub filled with natural extracts of hops, brewer's yeast and malt. Hops release essential oils that vitalise the skin. Yeast provides vitamin B and enzymes for regeneration. And throughout the bath — unlimited beer on tap.
Afterwards, you rest on loungers made of genuine wheat straw.
Restaurants and tours
- Stará Sladovna — restaurant in the historic malting house
- Ve Skále — restaurant carved into the rock
- Beer Academy — a course in brewing your own beer
- Hotel U Sládka — accommodation right on the brewery grounds
Getting there
Ten minutes by car along road 21. Train connection from Marienbad — the journey takes just a few minutes.
Spa Beerland — beer baths right in Marienbad
Where: Hlavní třída 7, Marienbad
The first beer spa right in town. The building's cellars date from the 17th century and originally served as a spirits warehouse — their atmosphere endures to this day.
The experience
- Handcrafted thousand-litre whirlpool tubs made of royal oak
- A bath of natural beer extracts from Krušovice® — premium hops, brewer's yeast and malt
- Relaxation on loungers of genuine wheat straw from the company's own organic fields
- Unlimited draught of real Czech beer throughout the entire treatment
Contact: +420 725 880 100
Svatý Florian Brewery — in Loket nad Ohří
Where: T. G. Masaryka 136/81, Loket (25 km from Marienbad)
A family brewery in one of the most beautiful small towns in Czechia — Loket nad Ohří, with its imposing castle towering above the river.
Four beers on tap
- Classic pale lager 11°
- Dark lager 11°
- Dark smoked special 13° — an unusual smoky aroma
- Ruby special 15° — a pleasantly sweet finish
All beers are natural, unfiltered, free of chemical additives and unpasteurised.
Bonuses
- Extensive exhibition of historic brewing equipment
- The largest collection of spa drinking cups in the Czech Republic — a link between beer culture and spa culture
- Souvenir shop
A day trip to Loket is one of the most popular excursions from Marienbad.
More breweries in the region
Kynšperský pivovar (Kynšperk nad Ohří)
A small craft brewery in the historic town of Kynšperk, 20 km north of Marienbad. The brewing tradition here dates back to the Middle Ages.
Pivní Skaut (Cheb)
A brewery in the historic centre of Cheb, 35 km from Marienbad. Philosophy: the search for the best malt, the most fragrant hops and the purest beer styles. Tastings at the Hvězda pub in the heart of town.
Chebský pivovar (Cheb)
Another brewery in Cheb — a combination of traditional Czech lagers with modern experimental styles.
Why beer and spa belong together
Western Bohemia lies at the crossroads of two traditions: spa culture dating to the 19th century and an even older brewing tradition. Saaz (Žatec) hops — considered the finest in the world — grow not far from here.
Czech beer baths are not just entertainment. Hops contain essential oils with relaxing and revitalising effects on the skin. Brewer's yeast is rich in vitamin B and enzymes that support regeneration. And moderate consumption of quality beer has, according to studies, a positive effect on the cardiovascular system.
Practical tips
- Best season: Year-round, but the brewery beer gardens in summer are unforgettable
- Getting there: Chodovar and Loket are easily accessible by car and train from Marienbad
- Combine: Morning treatments at an Ensana hotel, afternoon trip to a brewery
- Beer bath for two: Spa Beerland and Chodovar offer romantic packages for couples
More about excursions from Marienbad and dining.
