Northern Czech Republic breweries by train

It's possible to visit many breweries in the Czech Republic without driving. This post covers March 2026 visits by train to Pivovar Falkenštejn in Krásná Lípa, Zámecký Pivovar Frýdlant 'Albrecht' in Frýdlant v Čechách and Pivovar Kotouč in Česká Kamenice. All three breweries are in locations near the German border and from 1938-1945 were in Sudetenland, the border region of Czechoslovakia, annexed by Nazi Germany.

Map derived from https://viaduct.world/ of the north of the Czech Republic with train trips to brewerries highlighted.

On Thursday 12 March we arrived in Děčín on the European Sleeper train from Brussels to Prague having boarded at Antwerp the previous evening.

After coffee in the station restaurant we boarded a 10.45 train to Rumburk, retracing part of the route along the banks of the river Elbe to Bad Schandau and then branching off for a scenic ride on the single track railway line through Saxon Switzerland (Sächsische Schweiz).

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

From here it was a downhill walk to Pivovar Falkenštejn where we would enjoy an evening meal in the brewery restaurant before a night at the brewery guesthouse upstairs.

After checking in and a complimentary first beer (Světák) we took a walk along footpaths and minor roads to gain views of Bohemian Switzerland (Ceske Svycarsko) to the west.

With a menu prepared by chef René Vokurka, the restaurant is popular and our first beer (Letni Virgin Gose ( 0.3cl 54 Kc) was served at the end of the bar before our reserved table became available.

Tim's Desperát APA (4.8% ABV, 64 Kc / 50cl) proved a good accompaniment to onion soup followed by a chicken dish with roast vegetables.

Named after the town's historic philanthropist, Dittrich (5.5% ABV, 64Kc / 50 cl) was an excellent alternative to coffee after the meal.

The modern brewery (established in 2013 by Jan Srb and since expanded) is visible from exterior windows and windows in the restaurant area.

Regular beers from Pivovar Falkenštejn also include Rudoch (Red ale), Ostroff (Amber lager), Tropická bouře (Hazy NEIPA) and in March, Náhlá Smrt (Sudden death, 10% ABV Imperial Cascadian dark ale dedicated to 'Lemmy' of Motörhead.).

Krásná Lípa was an interesting place to stay and has a Tourist Information office. Pivovar Falkenštejn is recommended for its friendly welcome, beer, food and accommodation.

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.

Arrival at Liberec

Zámecký Pivovar Frýdlant 'Albrecht'

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.

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.

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.

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

Ticket prices on Czech Railways are cheaper than in the UK.

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.