 |
| Map derived from https://viaduct.world/ of the north of the Czech Republic with train trips to brewerries highlighted. |
10 minutes after arrival in Rumburk we caught the 12.38 train, arriving at Krásná Lípa at 12.43.
Pivovar Falkenštejn
 |
| Pivovar Falkenštejn occupies the two buildings on the left |
After a good breakfast at the guesthouse, we checked out and caught a bus to Varnsdorf on a scenic route to connect with a train to Liberec with a route that passes through Germany and Poland.
On Friday, after lunch and checking in to Hotel Liberec we headed back to Liberec station for a busy train to Frýdlant v Čechách. This was a steady uphill journey for most of the way with fine views that takes 31 minutes to cover 26km. 
From the station we walked the 1.5km to the brewery via the town and the Frýdlant castle park.
The brewery and office is on the left side with high windows. 
We entered the whitewashed taproom using the door on the right side and found a table under the small window. 
The taproom has wood panelling and there are some cushions to compensate for the hard seats.
Details of the draught beers are pinned to an upright supporting the narrow bar counter. Tim found the dark Kateřina 12 (0.3l 50Kc) slightly disappointing but the Andělská IPA 23 (10% ABV, 0.3l 58Kc) with a thick head, strong aroma and barley sugar sweetness was a treat. 
We took an alternative route for the walk back to the station as darkness fell, beside the river Smědá which skirts the hill topped by Frýdlant castle. 
The train to Liberec seemed to coast downhill quickly back to the city.
The 10.36 train from Děčín hl.n. reached Česká Kamenice at 11.05.
It was a nice surprise to discover on the walk into town from the station that there was a brewery in the town although Pizza Kamenice, the nearby associated pizza cafe, is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
The town centre looks smart after recent investment and staff at the tourist information centre were helpful. 
For coffee they suggested Hosana cafe at the renovated cultural centre which also serves beer. 
A good recommendation and after a morning visit for coffee, a subsequent visit allowed a first taste of beer from the town's brewery - draught Kamenicka Kaple (5.7% ABV). 
At lunchtime we had visited another recommended establishment near the river Kamenice - Restaurace U Slunce - where the refreshing draught beer was Bakalář Světlý ležák (4.9% ABV). Three other draught beers were available including Pilsner Urquell and Kozel 11.
 |
| Arrival at Liberec |
Zámecký Pivovar Frýdlant 'Albrecht'
Pivovar Kotouč
We visited Česká Kamenice on Tuesday 17 March, our last day in the Czech Republic, before taking the European Sleeper train back to Brussels and then Eurostar to London.
Walking back to the station, we stopped for another look at the brewery buildings and discovered that a blue door led to a large hallway with a staircase. A pine door at first floor level led to the brewery and large taproom with a vaulted ceiling and clay tile flooring. . 
The brewery was in a far corner of the room. 
There's a suit of armour in another corner, a billiard table and a variety of mismatched furniture which provides plenty of seating space. 
There were five draught beers at the bar counter.
The taproom was busy at 4pm on a Tuesday but the competitive prices may be part of the explanation. 
Tim's 0.5l chunky-handled glass of Kamenický Zlaták 11° cost 45 Kc (approx £1.65) and was his favourite beer of the day. All too soon it was time to catch the 16.46 train back to Děčín.
Train travel notes
Passengers over 65 qualify for a 50% reduction on standard fares but may need to present a passport on request for proof of age.
The Czech Railways App is good and allows tickets to be purchased online and stored on a mobile device without the need for a printed ticket.
