Resurgence Brewing and Happy Sherpa Travel are teaming up on a trip crafted for history lovers and craft beer drinkers alike, one that will take travelers to Central Europe, a region that boasts a centuries-old brewing tradition, with beer being an integral part of their culture and history. From the classic pilsners of Czechia to the hearty märzens of Bavaria, each nation has its signature styles deeply rooted in tradition.
The trip, which runs from May 11-19, features two nights in Bamberg, one night in Pilsen, and four nights in Prague with day trips in Kutna Hora, and lunch with NY Times Travel Writer/Master Cicerone Evan Rail in Prague.
Resurgence Brewing Head Brewer Nick Torgalski didn’t have enough good things to say about the destination, or the trip, describing them as “once-in-a-lifetime.”
“Last year I got to go to Germany and Austria, it was so much fun. From the second I got off the plane it was a highlight. Racing through the Munich airport, getting to Nuremberg. Just taking in the beer culture,” he says. “Everything about the trip was so much fun. It’s a complete culture shock. If you love beer, it’s a destination to go for beer lovers. I didn’t have one bad beer the whole time I was there.”
“The only way I can describe these trips is super unique, once-in-a-lifetime trips that because of who we are and the industry that we have, we have some of the best opportunities in the world to see some of the coolest places in the world that wouldn’t normally be available to just anybody traveling,” he continued.
A highlight of this the trip will be a collaboration between Torgalski, Resurgence and Filip Miller, head brewer and co-owner of Pivovar Raven in Pilsen, Czechia.
“We’re doing a collaboration with Pivovar Raven in Pilsen, which is super exciting,” Torgalski says. “I can’t wait. We’re going to try and do a home and home series. So we’re going to have a beer made in Buffalo and we’re going to make a beer over in Pilsen. It’s so cool to think about two breweries on the opposite ends of the earth working together to create something. We’re still working on the details of the beer, but we’re thinking about taking something strictly New York state, strictly Buffalo and brewing it here. Then the same thing over in Pilsen. So we have these two really unique beers that are going to shine and showcase where they’ve come from, where we’ve come from and how we met in the middle. It tells a great story.”
“It’s going to be hands on. Anyone who is involved with the tour or the trip is going to be involved with the beer making process, whether it’s here or over there. It’s a lot of fun. If you love beer, this is a great way to be hands on and be able to say hey I just brewed a professional beer.”
And as for this year, in addition to the collab at Pivovar Raven, Torgalski says he is most looking forward to getting to the Czech Republic and enjoying all of the traditional beer styles that come with it.
“So what is exciting me about the upcoming trip? A – I’ve never been to the Czech Republic,” he says. “I can’t wait to drink those beers that are 4 inches of delicious creamy foam. Give me a Czech Pale Lager. Give me a Czech Amber. Give me a Czech Dark Lager. I’ll drink all of it. I’ll drink any of it. I’m so excited to have these beers that I’ve never had before. I’ve only looked at them on the Internet. And going back to Germany, I can’t wait to visit Bamberg again and drink all that delicious smoked beer. I can’t wait to take the Pilsner Urquell brewery tour. That’s been around since the 1300s, 1400s. Just the history in that building, the history in all breweries we’re going to get to visit.”
The cost is $2,950 and includes round trip airfare from Toronto to Munich/Prague to Toronto and all fuel surcharges and departure taxes, two nights at the IBIS Styles Bamberg, one night at the Marriott Courtyard Pilsen, and four nights at the Four-Star NH Collection Prague Carlo IV, private motorcoach transfers, breakfast daily, guided introductory walking tour of Bamberg, Pilsen, Prague and a pre-departure orientation. The price based on Double Occupancy (Single supplements are available for an additional $300).
For more information and to view a full daily itinerary, click here.
***Photos courtesy of Happy Sherpa
Brian Campbell is co-founder and Brand Manager of the Buffalo Beer League, and writes the weekly Buffalo Beer Buzz column. If you have beer news that should be included in the Beer Buzz, Brian can be reached at brian@buffalobeerleague.com, on Twitter (@buffbeerleague), Instagram (@buffalobeerleague), and Facebook (@thebuffalobeerleague).
