U Fleku brewery was founded in 1499 and is the oldest brewery in Prague. ISA got us a free tour of the brewery that was accompanied by a nice pint of beer. U Fleku only produces one kind of beer, a dark lager similar to Guiness called Flekovský Tmavý Ležák 13° ("The Flek Dark Double Lager at 13°P"), also known as Flekovská třináctka ("The Flek Thirteen"). It has 5% alcohol and is might tasty. The beer is all natural and unfiltered. It only will last a few weeks after it's made and it's still fermenting in the glass while you're drinking it. That's a little strange to me. We got a tour of the brewery and a room of interest is where the beer is cooked. The ceilings are painted and a dark colored wood. Apparently the wood was stained with blood, eggs and honey to make it the deep red/brown color. It's gross but the coloration is beautiful and I can't believe it's lasted that long.
After WWII the brewery was nationalized but after the Velvet Revolution it was given back to the daughter and sons of the original owner. At least they got it back, unlike many businesses that were nationalized. The brewery remains a family owned business and is really quaint. After the tour we decided to get another beer and lunch. I got the garlic soup, which was okay. They were passing out beer and honey liquor. We were suckered into a shot of the honey liquor, not good at all. Since it's currently prohibition there can't be much alcohol in it so the shot was not worth the taste. My roommate Allison got beer cheese. I'm not sure how to explain beer cheese.. it's spreadable and has a very sharp taste. I liked it, but didn't love it and Monica said it tasted like poop. So try at your own risk.
