International Beer Day is celebrated each first Friday of August, falling on 7 August this year. The observance originated in 2007 when a group of friends in Santa Cruz, California, decided to dedicate a day to the drink, and is now marked in some 207 cities across 50 countries. Its stated objectives include sharing beer among friends, recognizing those who produce and serve it, and bringing together brewing traditions from different countries.

According to the latest European comparison figures, the Czech Republic leads per-capita beer consumption with 126 liters per inhabitant per year, followed by Austria with 98 and Germany with 88. The Czech Republic also has a brewing tradition going back a thousand years, according to local sources. Beyond beer, the country is home to the world's largest castle complex, Prague Castle, and to the sugar cube, invented in 1843 in Dačice by Swiss industrialist Jakub Kryštof Rad. Prague is also associated with three historical defenestrations, episodes in which opponents were thrown from windows.

Experts highlight three key points for serving beer. Foam is essential: a well-poured beer should have about two fingers of foam, which protects the drink from oxygen, retains gas, and concentrates aromas. The glass matters too: serving in a glass allows perception of colour, shine, and aromas, and releases excess gas to avoid bloating. Temperature varies by style: lagers and pilsners are best at 3–5°C, IPAs at 7–10°C, and stouts and porters at 10–13°C. Beer sommeliers also advise against thick-walled mugs, which can dull aromas.

Beer is one of the oldest beverages, with evidence of brewing dating to around 4,000 BC in Lower Mesopotamia, and the first known recipe is found in the Code of Hammurabi. Egyptians brewed beer with honey, dates, and cinnamon. The IPA style originated in the 19th century when British brewers increased hops and alcohol for long sea voyages to India. The market for non-alcoholic beer is growing: sales volume in Brazil rose about 13% in 2025, and in Argentina the zero-alcohol segment has tripled since January 2024.