Drinking for a good cause, and a sip of networking

Local beer lovers who can't wait until the third annual Czech Beer Festival begins next month can get a preview pint or 25 at Žofín Garden this Thursday, April 15, and help a local charity in the process.

The Nordic Chamber of Commerce in Prague is hosting the one-night bash, sponsored by the Czech Beer Festival in cooperation with several other Chambers of Commerce, including the British, Canadian, German and French chambers. Designed primarily as a networking evening for local businesspeople, the event will be held under a tent with more than 25 types of Czech beer on tap, ranging from light to dark, lager to porter, from small breweries.

According to Lea Turcarová, spokeswoman for the Nordic Chamber of Commerce, the event - which will take place rain or shine - offers more than just a chance for eager tippling and shop talk.

"Obviously, it offers participants the opportunity to taste a wide range of beers, as well as rich opportunities for networking and meeting new people in Prague's international business community," she said. "But what is also important is that the proceeds will go to the Czech NGO Člověk v tísni [People in Need]."

People in Need gives aid to developing countries and organizes educational and social integration programs in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. According to Tomáš Vyhnálek, the organization's fundraiser, "Donated funds usually go directly to support our social assistance programs in the 17 countries in which we work. Currently, we're building schools in Ethiopia and lending aid to Cambodia, among other projects."

Along with the beer, guests will have a chance to sample Czech delicacies such as sausages, pork on the grill and pickled herring. A band will offer up music in the style of the First Republic, reminiscent of that famous beer-loving Czech, the Good Soldier Švějk. A set of premium bottled beers will be raffled off at the end of the night. And there will be plenty of atmosphere.

"Like the main Czech Beer Festival, the catering personnel will be dressed in the 17th-century style, like old beer waitresses," Turcarová said.

Nearly 300 guests have already signed up to attend the event, and Turcarová expects many more to buy their tickets at the door. Even with those numbers, thirsty attendees are still more likely to have easy access to the taps than they will at the main Czech Beer Festival, which runs May 14-30.

"This year, the festival is a full week longer than in previous years, and we are expecting about 130,000 visitors over the course of the 17 days," said Jan Hübner, director of the festival.

The May beer fest will take place under tents on the Letňany festival grounds, where guests will have a choice of 80 to 90 brands of Czech beer selling at 40 Kč per half-liter. Admission is free.

By comparison, the ticket price for the Žofín event may seem prohibitively expensive. But unlimited access to free beer and the chance to rub elbows and mugs with the movers and shakers of the international business community has proved a winning combination.

"We received a great response last year when we held the event for the first time," Turcarová said. "And we are convinced it will be a great success again this year at the charming Žofín."

Stephan Delbos can be reached at
sdelbos@praguepost.com