Pairing Svíčková na Smetaně correctly — a note on Czech Pilsner Urquell

Most people overlook how much the right drink changes Svíčková na Smetaně. I ordered it with Czech Pilsner Urquell and the rich and filling elements of the dish sharpened considerably against the pairing. pickled vegetables in particular became more prominent in a good way.

Czech cuisine is inseparable from beer culture, one of the world's highest per-capita consumption nations. The a Prague pub restaurant is where you learn these pairings — they evolved together. If you've been having Svíčková na Smetaně with the wrong drink, try it correctly once. It's a genuinely different experience. The restaurant deserves credit for getting this right.