In the wake of devastating floods that swept through the Czech Republic, local breweries along the Morava and Opava rivers are facing unprecedented challenges. The rising waters have left a trail of destruction, with overturned barrels, damaged control panels, bent tanks, and collapsed walls buried under tons of mud.
Petr Kozák, the owner of the microbrewery Arrogant, paints a grim picture of the aftermath. “There were four meters of water in the brewery, practically everything is destroyed. The damage is around eight million crowns. Insurance, if paid out, will cover less than half,” he laments. For Kozák, who founded the brewery in 2022 as a passion project alongside his career as a glazier, the floods threaten to be financially ruinous.
However, amidst the devastation, a wave of solidarity has emerged. An unexpected visit from a stranger named Mr. Brauer, who drove from Beroun to deliver a brand-new dehumidifier free of charge, inspired Kozák to start a crowdfunding campaign to save his brewery.
Just across the river, the more established microbrewery Nachmelená opice (Drunk Monkey) has also been severely impacted. Co-owner Michal Kuřec reports damages in the tens of millions of crowns, with vital equipment such as compressors, steam generators, cooling systems, and the bottling line destroyed. Yet, the brewery has been overwhelmed by support from volunteers, fans, and fellow brewers from across the country.
In a heartening display of industry solidarity, several breweries, including big names like Budvar and Kofola’s breweries, offered to temporarily host Nachmelená opice’s production. The brewery ultimately chose to partner with Clock and Koníček breweries due to similar technology, with hopes to gradually resume production by mid-October.
As these small businesses fight to recover, they’re reminding us of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of community. Whether through direct aid, volunteering, or simply enjoying a pint of their beer, the message is clear: every bit of support counts in helping these local breweries weather the storm and come back stronger.