Objectives and characteristics of the Institute

The Research Institute of Brewing and Malting (RIBM) is the only research institute
in the Czech Republic specializing in the field of brewing and malting.

Its main objective is to gather new knowledge in this area and promote its practical applications. It plays an important part in the development of new technologies aimed at increasing production efficiency and quality while preserving all attributes of the Czech way of beer production and its specific properties.

RIBM has initiated the idea of applying in Brussels for the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) "České pivo" (Czech beer).  Based on the Commission Regulation (EC) No 1014/2008 of 16 October 2008 the PGI "České pivo" was subsequently entered in the Register of Protected Designations of Origin and Protected Geographical Indications. RIBM is the author of fundamental scientific documents underlying the formulation of the Czech beer specification.

The Institute verifies the properties of barley and hop varieties and is the only institution empowered to recommend suitable varieties for the production of Czech beer.

Examination and monitoring of characteristic properties of Czech beer and its unique character within the class of the worldwide produced beers of the Pils type has resulted in launching one of the most important projects concerned with the drinkability of Czech beer.

Systematic attention paid in the RIBM to the quality of barley, especially brewing barley, has become the firm basis underlying the current successful export of malt and beer.

The Institute has cooperated with barley growers and breeders since 1921. This cooperation has led to the establishment of a system that promotes a constant growth of quality of new varieties and, at the same time, prevents the spreading of unsuitable ones.

The extensive research into barley and malt conducted at the RIBM contributed to the maintenance of Czech barley cultivation and the quality of this commodity at the top level worldwide.

The same holds for Czech malt, which, despite the changes in malting technology (including the shortening of malting times), still keeps its top quality and meets the ever increasing quality requirements.

RIBM provides services for barley growers and breeders, companies active in agricultural supply, breweries, producers of both alcoholic and soft beverages, as well as for state management bodies.

In implementing  R&D projects the Institute cooperates with a number of research organizations and universities and its activities often extend beyond the fields of brewing and malting.

The information about VUPS (RIBM) activities you can find in this video: