During May 2023, the Councils of the Pilsen and South Bohemia Regions approved the nomination of local beer culture on the regional lists of intangible assets of traditional folk culture. In both regions, the tradition associated with beer consumption and production is deeply rooted. Beer culture encompasses a wide range of traditions in the social life of villages and towns. Although beer as a beverage is the central motif, it is above all a collection of cultural, ethnological, social and historical elements that are linked specifically to the production and consumption of beer.
In the South Bohemian Region, the nomination was submitted in cooperation with the South Bohemian Museum in České Budějovice. South Bohemia is one of the traditional regions with a strong and distinctive beer culture. This is logically linked to the existence of a large number and extensive network of pubs. The pub is a unique social phenomenon that has been part of South Bohemian culture since the 16th century. In many cases it is also the centre of social life in the community and one of the few places where groups of people who would not otherwise meet have the opportunity to meet. The nomination in South Bohemia was thus based on the social role of pubs in the region.
The Pilsen region is the cradle of Czech lager, which was first brewed here 180 years ago. Czech beer culture is a cultural complex that has been shaped over centuries around the phenomenon of Czech beer/Czech lager, which is significant within the Czech community and unique in international comparison. The Pilsen region is thus the logical centre for this part of Czech beer culture.
Inclusion on the regional lists of intangible assets of traditional folk culture is a necessary step before applying for possible nomination on the national list.