Days of the Beer, November 17

The beer for today is Staropramen Velvet.

On November 17, 1989, riot police in Prague Czechoslovakia, suppressed a peaceful student demonstration. This event sparked a series of demonstrations that went from November 19, to late December. These demonstrations were referred to as the "Velvet Revolution".

The original protesters numbered about 200,000 but within a few days, their numbers swelled to about a half million. On November 27, all citizens of Czechoslovakia conducted a two-hour strike.

As a result of these demonstrations, the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia announced on November 28, that they would dismantle the single-party state. Additionally, barbed wire and other obstacles were removed from their borders with West Germany and Austria. On December 10, the first largely non-Communist government was appointed since 1948. Shortly thereafter, the president resigned.

The origin of the name "Velvet Revolution" is still unknown. One of the possible origins is that the leaders of the opposition groups met in theaters, and the velvet is referring to the velvet ropes in the theater. Another theory is that it took it's name from The Velvet Underground. One of the leaders was a fan of the band, and is a friend of Lou Reed. In Slovakia, the name for the revolution is Gentle Revolution.

As to the beer:

The Staropramen Brewery (Pivovary Staropramen) is the second largest brewery in the Czech Republic, and is located in Prague. It was founded in 1869, and has since been purchased by Inbev. The name Staropramen means "old spring".

A bottom-fermented beer, 5.3% alcohol, with a remarkable visual appearance and taste, whose development was inspired by a traditional English recipe.

The beer gets its name from a combination of three malts that produce a gentle, bittery, golden brown color, and velvety taste.

So, for the Velvet Revolution that spawned the end of communism in Czechoslovakia, have a Staropramen Velvet.