The Czech Republic’s brewing scene is famous—for its rich, malty pilsners, unique bar setup of water baths and low counters, and sheer quantity of brews poured, with the highest per-capita beer consumption in the world. The experience of grabbing a beer in Prague is a bucket-list item for craft beer nerds everywhere. For those in Virginia, being an ocean away is a huge inconvenience. Unless you’re Suffolk, that is.
In August, Sojourn Fermentory opened in the city’s Bridgeport mixed-use district, stocked with authentic European-style draft pours—ranging from Delicate, the mild, slightly fruity Kolsch, to Ten, their signature Czech pilsner. Head brewer Mike Pawley learned the craft from a Czech brewmaster in Austria before returning to the U.S. to open Sojourn with craft beer entrepreneur Jinson Chan.
Pawley’s must-have vision included a Czech Lukr faucet, which creates a richer, creamier texture and uses less CO2 to release the pilsner, leading to a more beer-forward foam. The European import now stands out along Sojourn’s sleek, modern bar. Lukrs are why Czech bars are acclaimed. “It changes the experience of the beer,” Pawley says. “It makes it a lot more palatable, less bitter, and more driven and rich in flavor.”
Pawley and his team prioritize respect for the craft and each beer type’s origin. And at Sojourn, they’ve also demonstrated their commitment to community and customer experience, with a designated kids and family area, lively beer garden, and social bartop. SojournFermentory.com
This article originally appeared in the December 2024 issue.
