Czech Brewery Challenge

GCAJFR0 České pivo, České zlato! / Czech beer, Czech gold! by Seedcorp Virtual D5/T1

While planning a trip to Prague later in the year this cache came to my attention initially for the 5 difficulty rating. As most geocachers are aware many of 9US regular event attendees enjoy a pint of good beer. To claim this virtual cache 50 breweries/micro breweries have to be visited, a challenge we are excepting. The 50 breweries can be any where in the world, but must include the brewery at the cache page coordinates. Is this just an excuse for more P&P stops? Probably.

Here you can follow our progress:

No: 1 Mack’s Ølbrygger/Mack’s Brewery (Norway)

Let’s start with this iconic brewery and also the most northerly brewery in the world.
It can be found at N 69° 38.746′ E 018° 57.027′.

Ludwig Markus Mack

Brief History
1877 Ludwig Markus Mack a baker and confectionist founded the worlds most northernmost brewery 200 miles above the artic circle in Tromsø. His vision was to bring good Bavarian-influenced beer to Northern Norway, since then, Mack Bryggeri has developed into one of the country’s most well-known and respected breweries.
1895 Mack also started producing sodas.
1928 Saw the opening of Mack’s tap bar Ølhallen, originally known as ‘The Hall’, is today Tromsø’s oldest pub.
1965 Mack started producing for Coca-Cola.
1981 Polar Beer (Isbjørn) and Arctic Beer gets to be the first beers on the North Pole.

1990 Polar Beer (Isbjørn) and Arctic Beer gets to be the first beers on the South Pole.
2000 Mack’s microbrewery opens.
2011 Main production is moved to a purposed built plant 70km south to Nordkjosbotn but the microbrewery remains on site and continues to develop new beers.


Today, after nearly 150 years of brewing, Mack is arguably the strongest beer brand name in the region and still independently owned, the majority by the descendants of Ludwig Mack. It produces classic lagers to exciting craft beers using the naturally clean, ice cold water from the Lyngen Alps and only the best raw materials available.
Macks brewshop, Kjeller 5, is found next to the microbrewery, offering Mack soft drinks, beers and ciders with an alcohol content at or less than 4.7%. It also stocks high quality beers specially chosen from other local breweries plus an extensive range of products for the home brewer.
Ølhallen is one of the most iconic places in Tromsø with one of the largest tap beer selections in Europe serving Norwegian quality beer from 72 taps!

I can highly recommend their beer, my favourite out of the 7 we tried is 1877.
For all their beers click here: Mack’s Ølbrygger/Mack’s Brewery

Currently for the geocacher, apart from the beer, there is an Ad lab stage and this easy cache :

GC3C2RC Mack – Kulturkvartalet by Kjedalen Traditional D1/T1

No: 2 Snowdonia Brewery – Bragdy Eryri

Our second brewery in this challenge is local and a regular venue for our Nosh & Natters.
It can be found at N 53° 06.390′ W 004° 12.146′.

Snowdonia Parc pub is situated in a stunning location alongside the Welsh Highland Steam Railway, it has its own campsite and is also home to the Snowdonia Brewery – Bragdy Eryri. The building was originally the Waunfawr station masters house which has been heavily extended to house the pub and the two barrel brewhouse at the rear. Brewing started here in the summer of 1998 and produces beer solely for the on site pub. Owner Carmen Pierce brews a selection of delicious Real Ales using the finest malts, hops, and clear Snowdonia water.


My favourite beer is Aur Eryri Gold.
For all their beers tasting notes click here: Snowdonia Brewery – Bragdy Eryri

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