The Craft Brewer

The Czech Republic is one of the world’s most historic beer destinations. Raise a glass with one woman who is helping to propel its brewing scene into the 21st century

- Jessica Cole

HIDDEN AWAY ON A LEAFY boulevard in Prague’s Vinohrady district, and a million miles from the selfe-stick crowds on Charles Bridge, lies BeerGeek bottle shop. It would be easy to miss were it not for the enormous blackboard on its outside wall. Inside the shop, scores of perfect rows of beer bottles refect the sunlight streaming through the window. The outlet ought to be quiet – it’s mid-afternoon on a weekday – but there are plenty of customers milling about, shuffing past each other politely or asking brewer Olga Romanova for her recommendations.

‘Try this one,’ she says, flling a glass with IPA from a tap behind the counter. ‘I’m a professional: I know how important the tasting is.’ She raises one eyebrow, mischief twinkling in her eyes.