New Delhi, Nov. 22 -- Na zdravi!" Glasses of golden Budvar lager clink loudly to roars of a toast-meaning "To health!"-in a village pub in South Bohemia. Regulars are quick to remind me that this is the original Budweiser, brewed in Česke Budějovice since 1895, not the American namesake. The town, historically also known as Budweis, has been a brewing centre since the 13th century, and the original Budějovický Budvar brewery remains in production to this day.

Being state-owned, this iconic brewery shares its yeast with other microbreweries. I visit one such family owned establishment in Frymburk, where the brewmaster, David Krol, shares more beer wisdom. "Bohemian beer depends on four key ingredients: soft water, yeas...