Pivovar Zhůřák

Lore & Background

The brewery began operations in 2013 in a converted building in Zhůř, using a 250-liter electric brewhouse. Baerwaldt, who had previously worked in technology and software product management in the United States, moved to the Czech Republic with his Czech wife and started homebrewing before expanding into commercial production. The brewery’s name derives from the village of Zhůř (hence Zhůřák = “from Zhůř”). Its branding features a stylized “Z-sun” logo and bilingual (English-Czech) beer names.

Pivovar Zhůřák produces mainly top-fermented ales, including American-style IPAs, NEIPAs, and pale ales. Seasonal and experimental releases have included Kvejčák 14° Kveik NEIPA, Sabrosko 13° Single Hop IPA, Hopinka, and ValHAZEa IPA. The brewery’s lineup changes frequently, with distribution mainly in kegs to pubs in the Plzeň region and Prague.

The brewery participates regularly in Czech craft-beer events, including the nationwide festival Noc Pivovarů ('Night of Breweries'), which promotes small independent breweries across the country. It has also collaborated with regional peers such as Pivovar Raven (Plzeň) and Pivstro Plzeň on limited releases and festival projects.

Reader's Guide

Pivovar Zhůřák holds significance as one of the earliest American-style ale breweries in the Czech Republic, introduced by an American brewer who relocated from California. Its founding in 2013 in the small village of Zhůř represents a notable cross-cultural influence on Czech craft brewing, blending American brewing techniques with local traditions. The brewery’s use of a 250-liter electric brewhouse and its focus on top-fermented ales, including IPAs and NEIPAs, helped diversify the Czech beer landscape beyond traditional lagers.

Its bilingual branding and experimental releases, such as Kvejčák 14° Kveik NEIPA and Sabrosko 13° Single Hop IPA, reflect an innovative approach. The brewery’s participation in Noc Pivovarů and collaborations with regional peers like Pivovar Raven and Pivstro Plzeň underscore its integration into the Czech craft-beer community. Its legacy lies in demonstrating how a small, independent brewery can introduce new styles and foster international exchange within a historically lager-centric beer culture.