Travelers in Russia have always had a lot to thank Czech beer companies for, since the makers of some of the world’s best beers have long been able to send their foamy wares to the Russian market, giving beer lovers a better alternative to the country’s less-than-stellar national brews.
Exports to Russia have always been a large revenue source for the companies that brew the likes of Staropramen and Pilsner Urquell.
But the Russian market could soon dry up for Czech beers.
Russia political analysts say the country should consider banning all Czech beers. The reason? Objections over Czech plans to host a United States radar station, which would be part of a missile defense shield in eastern Europe that Russia thinks is aimed at it, despite U.S. assurances to the contrary.
Russia is considering other, seemingly stronger moves. Days after U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was in Prague to ink the radar deal a few weeks ago, the Czech Republic experienced a mysterious decrease in natural gas supplies from Russian pipelines. Analysts say Russia should also consider re-opening a radar station in Cuba.
But don’t underestimate what effect a Czech beer ban could have. It would be a “serious response” to the U.S./Czech radar base, an analyst tells the Russian newspaper Ria Novosti.
No word yet on whether Czechs would consider responding with a ban on Russian vodka.