Imagine strolling through a quaint Slovenian town and stumbling upon a fountain, not of water but of beer. Sounds like a fantasy, right? Welcome to Žalec, where dreams come true with the world’s first beer fountain. This is not just a whimsical idea, but a tribute to the region’s rich hop-growing heritage, a celebration of Slovenia’s brewing tradition, and a must-visit for every beer enthusiast.
Discover The World’s First Beer Fountain
Aptly named the Fountain of the Green Gold, this marvel represents a tribute to the rich hop-growing heritage of Žalec and the Lower Savinja Valley, which is recognised as the epicentre of Slovenia’s hop industry. Hops, often referred to as “green gold,” are the crucial ingredient that imparts beer with its distinctive flavour. Slovenia also proudly stands as the fifth-largest hop producer in the world.
The inception of the Green Gold Fountain dates back to 2014, when Matjaž Omladič, then president of the Association of Tourist Societies of the Municipality of Žalec, proposed the idea of creating a beer fountain. This ambitious vision aimed to celebrate the region’s hop-growing history while crafting a compelling tourist attraction for the future.
Construction started in April 2016, culminating in the grand opening on September 6, 2016, a date of historical significance for Žalec. The Green Gold Fountain is strategically positioned in the town park, adjacent to the bustling marketplace in Žalec’s town centre.
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A Toast To Slovenia’s Finest Beers
Here are some of the exquisite brews you can savour:
- Kukec Light by the IHPS Institute for Hop Research and Brewing Slovenia: Named after Simon Kukec, a historic figure in Slovenian brewing, this beer boasts a pronounced malty character.
- Green Haler Beer by Haler Brewery: Brewed in the village of Olimje, this green lager features a pronounced hop aroma from Slovenian hop varieties Aurora and Savinjski Golding.
- Gallus Beer by Maister Brewery: Named after Slovenian composer Jakob Petelin Gallus, this clear lager offers notes of fresh bread, barley malt, citrus, and a gentle, lasting bitterness.
- Udarnik Beer by Flajs Brewery: This American amber beer, produced in Žalec, features a solid malt base with caramel notes and a lively fruity aroma.
- 4Picnic IPA Beer by Skubeer Brewery: A lighter IPA designed for picnics, this beer boasts hop aromas of grapefruit, lemon, and more.
- Irish Stout Beer by Reset Brewery: This dark, full-bodied beer offers aromas of roasted coffee, chocolate, cocoa, vanilla, and caramel.
Visitors to the Green Gold Fountain can buy a specially designed glass beer mug, equipped with a microchip, for EUR 11.00. This mug allows you to taste six different beers, each dispensed automatically when the mug is placed under the tap. The taps, controlled by an authorisation card from a designated person, certainly ensure an interactive tasting experience.
So, if you ever find yourself in Slovenia, make sure to visit Žalec and experience the world’s first beer fountain.
Cover Image Courtesy: Beer Fountain of Green gold/Facebook