History

The oldest mention of the malt and brewery craft in Jihlava is probably the record in the city book from the first half of the 14th century. Like other crafts, the free association of maltsters and brewers created the maltsters' guild. The first true maltster statutory deed replacing the guild articles was confirmed by the Jihlava City Council in October 1579.

Due to its quality, Jihlava beer extended to a variety of markets abroad; it was supplied, for example, to the court in Vienna, to King Ladislav Pohrobek, Emperor Friedrich III, Archduke Karl of Styria and other leading personalities of the period. At the beginning of the 17th century, during the only winter season, nine hundred batches were produced for export from Jihlava. The exported beer was sent mostly to Austria: At home, Jihlava beer was especially popular in Brno.

In 1735, the guild obtained from Emperor Charles VI the privilege to tap beer not only in the city of Jihlava but in the territory of liege villages as well. At the beginning of 1859, the maltsters' guild in Jihlava decided that the last four of their small breweries would be closed, including domestic malt rooms, and a new common brewery would be build. The new Jihlava brewery opened on 4 April 1861. However, the brewery mentions the year of foundation as 1860, when the brewery began working as an important economic entity.