Lobeč Steam-Powered Brewery wins European Heritage Award

A revitalized brewery in Central Bohemia won a European Heritage Award for conservation and adaptive reuse. The Lobeč Steam-Powered Brewery was one of eight places across Europe to win in that category. The awards are given out by the European Commission and Europa Nostra, a federation that supports cultural heritage.

The brewery in Lobeč, in the Kokořín protected landscape, has a history dating back to 1586. It fell into disrepair in the latter half of the 20th century.

The long-term project to restore the brewery – also called Parostrojní pivovar v Lobči – has enlivened the small village of 140 inhabitants and has ensured that the brewery's beer can be enjoyed for generations to come.

The awards jury said the restoration is a good example of a sensitive rehabilitation of industrial heritage that has preserved the original character and the original use of the structure.

“This is a great achievement for individuals who invested a lot of time and personal resources to achieve their ambitions. It is a courageous project which sends a strong message about the importance of strong community engagement and collaboration between many different stakeholders,” the jury stated.

The present-day brewery and malt house date to the first half of the 17th century. In the 1890s, it transformed into an industrial brewery with a steam engine. Production stopped in 1943; the site had been abandoned since the 1980s.

The project was mostly funded by the owners’ own financial resources with some support from the Czech Culture Ministry and Environment Ministry. The European Union’s Rural Development Program also helped finance the restoration.

“The Steam Brewery in Lobeč is a perfect example of the connection of the historic and the new, the continuation of the life of a historic building in modern times" and of the effect of "a careful restoration of a monument with a plan for its further use" on "the life of the entire community or village,” Culture Minister Martin Baxa said. He added that he commended "the owners who approach history in a modern way but with respect and sensitivity."

The architects Jana and Pavel Prouza discovered the forgotten brewery and worked to restore it for 15 years. The duo had a dream of living in a monument and developing cultural activities in the countryside.

The initial phase of the restoration focused on preserving the site, followed by a careful structural restoration. From 2014 onward, the site was opened to the public with a mix of cultural and business activities to ensure its future sustainability. The site uses a system of part heat pumps and part geothermal energy for heating.

After the restoration, the original function of beer production was re-established. The craft brewery makes lagers, ales, a stout, a Belgian-style white beer, and a special herb beer that is not flavored with hops.

The brewery’s revival has brought life back to the village, with new families arriving. “The brewery, the local chateau, and the community activities make the small village a unique place to visit. The local community is proud of its brewery once again,” European Heritage Awards and Europa Nostra said in a press release. The brewery has also joined the ERIH (the European Route of Industrial Heritage), which will raise its profile internationally.