Staropramen Brewery (Pivovary Staropramen s.r.o.) in the Smíchov district of Prague is the second largest brewery in the Czech Republic.[1] It was founded in 1869 and the brand name Staropramen, literally meaning "old spring", was registered in 1911. It is owned by Molson Coors and its products are exported to 37 countries, mostly in Europe and North America.
History
Staropramen Brewery's history begins in 1869 when shares for a "Joint Stock Brewery in Smíchov" were offered for sale. The brewery building was completed and beer first brewed in 1871. The Ostravar Brewery opened in 1898 followed a year later by the Braník brewery;[2] these two breweries would later merge with Staropramen.
Due to competition from other Prague breweries, the brand name Staropramen, which translates as "old spring" (water source), was registered in 1911. After the First World War, all three breweries saw a period of sustained growth, and by the 1930s, Staropramen was the largest brewery in Czechoslovakia.[3]