Budějovický Budvar lager

Budějovický Budvar is a legendary Czech lager brewed exclusively in the city of České Budějovice. Known internationally as Budweiser Budvar (or Czechvar in the United States and Canada), it is famous for its long-standing legal battle with the American brand Anheuser-Busch over the rights to the name 'Budweiser'.

The brewery was founded in 1895 as a Czech-owned alternative to the German-run municipal brewery. Unlike many other major European breweries that have been acquired by multinational conglomerates, Budějovický Budvar remains a state-owned enterprise, belonging to the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic. This status ensures the beer is brewed according to strict traditional methods using local ingredients like Saaz hops, Moravian barley, and water from artesian wells, maintaining its protected geographical indication (PGI) status.