(Note: In August this year, our group of five traveled to the Czech Republic with a sports theme to participate in marathons and various activities. We shared Hong Kong culture with local sports enthusiasts and explored the soil and nutrients needed for making sports flourish in communities.)
In Prague, we found a bar that actually hosts regular running sessions. After each session, participants can order a free local beer.
Czechs take pride in their locally brewed beers. The selection of beers available at the bar is chalked above the bartender’s area facing the entrance, displayed in two parallel columns: one for locally produced beers and the other for non-local ones. All the welcome beers provided after the running events were limited to local brews. For us, who rarely get to drink Czech beer in Hong Kong, this was naturally not an issue.
Even among the local beers, there are significant differences in alcohol content, color, and added ingredients. But that amount — well, it might seem a bit excessive for someone like me who isn’t much of a drinker.
That said, the organizer of this running event, Mikkeller Running Club, is quite a big name. They have a presence in major cities such as Copenhagen, Paris, and Budapest. Giving out a beer after a run is literally their mission. Our guide told us that even if you say you don’t want to drink, they probably won’t just let you off the hook. (For more details about Mikkeller Running Club, check out and like their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mrcprg/)
When will a culture that combines sports with local produce also take root in Hong Kong?