Experience the Day of the Goat in Velké Popovice: Beyond Just Great Beer

The brewery in Velke Popovice, located in Central Bohemia, has been making beer continuously for 151 years. This year, visitors will also be celebrating 30 years of the Day of the Goat! As part of this festive occasion, the Day of Kozl 2025 will feature a special tour of the Velkopopovice brewery. The event, packed with fun activities, experiences, music, tasty food, and the famous Kozl beer directly from the brewery, kicks off at 11 am.During Kozla Day, there will be entertainment for everyone, regardless of age. Attendees can participate in team competitions, a tapping school hosted by skilled master brewers, the ever-popular beer foam press, the Goat Pub Quiz, and a raffle for exciting prizes. In addition, there will be special tours of the Velkopopovice brewery to mark the 30th anniversary of the Day of the Goat. Fans of Kozla will be thrilled to find new merchandise and cozy relaxation areas perfect for taking a break between live music performances.

This year, visitors can also enjoy the so-called Prazdroj Prazdroj, an “employee bar” where the Kozl beer will be poured straight by the brewery’s employees. Anyone interested in learning about the brewery is invited to come share a friendly chat and enjoy a toast of Kozl together.

Local associations and community groups from Velke Popovice and nearby areas are also contributing to the Kozl Day festivities. Volunteers, including firefighters, hockey players, hunters, beekeepers, coopers, and other enthusiasts, will manage interactive stations where attendees can learn something new, share their knowledge, win small prizes, or take home a handmade souvenir. This year, a portion of the entrance fee – which is set at 100 CZK for those over 15 years old – will support these local communities. Children aged 15 and under are welcome to enter for free.

Goat Express will run from Prague

Day of the Goat 2025 will not only feature well-known musical acts, special beers, hearty food, and unique tours but also the convenient Goat Express!

Easy travel to Kozla Day will be offered with bus and train shuttles running regularly along the route from Strančice – Velké Popovice and back. A direct connection to the capital will be available through the special motor train, the Goat Express, leaving Prague’s Main Station at 10:05 a.m. and returning from Velke Popovice back to Prague at 21:00 hours.

Where did the goat come from in Popovice?

Beer brewing in Velké Popovice dates back to at least the 16th century. The current Velkopopovice brewery was created through initiatives led by František Ringhoffer II (1817-1873), a notable industrialist, businessman, politician, mayor of Smíchov, and member of the Bohemian Provincial Assembly. To this day, the expansive complex of Ringhoffer factories has only the Velké Popovice brewery remaining. It is the sole production facility from the Ringhoffer family that has maintained continuous operations since its founding in 1874.

The first batch of beer brewed at Ringhoffer Brewery was completed on December 15, 1874. Gradually, the reputation of Velkopopovice beer spread throughout the nation, leading to the growth of the brewery alongside increasing sales. But where does the iconic goat in the brewery’s name and on its label originate? According to legend, the goat’s image was created by a traveling French painter. In reality, though, the term “goat” was a common expression in Bohemia for strong black beer, similar to what was made in Velke Popovice. Notably, the earliest representation of a goat appeared around 1910 on a brewery billboard that read “Velko-Popovický KOZEL”. Today, the Velkopopovický brewery is part of Plzeňský Prazdroj, which is recognized as the leading beer producer in the region, exporting to over 50 countries around the world and being the largest exporter of Czech beer.

Celebrate Day of the Goat 2025 at Velké Popovice Brewery!

Join the festivities at the historic Velké Popovice brewery in Central Bohemia on Saturday, June 7, 2025, starting at 11:30 AM.

Event Highlights:

• Live Music: Enjoy performances from five bands and musicians, including Bára Poláková and an Elán revival band.

• Brewery Tours: Take part in exclusive guided tours of the brewery, established in 1874 by František Ringhoffer II.

• Beer Experiences: Try a range of fantastic beers, including the traditional Kozel dark beer.

• Activities: Test your skills at the teamwork tap school, compete in team challenges, join a goat-themed pub quiz, and enter a raffle.

• Family-Friendly: Admission is free for children aged 15 and under.

• Community Support: Proceeds from ticket sales support local volunteer firefighters and hunting groups.

Getting There:

• Shuttle buses and special train services will be available, including the Goat Express departing from Prague’s Main Station.

Come for the beer, music, and tradition—experience Goat Day at Velké Popovice!