The European Court of Justice ruled against Anheuser-Busch InBev in a trademark dispute with the Czech brewer Budějovický Budvar. A-B Inbev will not be allowed an EU-wide trademark on the name “Budweiser”. The result is a win for the Czech brewer in a case that started almost 15 years ago. There are still legal disputes ongoing in other countries, so the trademark battle will continue.

For further reading:
A-B InBev loses Budweiser trademark battle in E.U. court
This Bud’s Not for EU
The Budweisers Should Make Up – And Cheers!

Tomorrow, an amendment to the current smoking regulations goes into effect that requires bars and restaurants to place a sticker at the entrance to show whether the establishment allows smoking or not. The bar or restaurant can be completely non-smoking or it can have a non-smoking area in a completely separated room.


SMOKING ALLOWED – Smoking seriously harms you and those around you

Non-smoking advocates were hoping for bigger changes, but according to the news reports, it is likely to take a while before the Czech Republic follows other European countries, such as Ireland and Italy and bans smoking in bars and restaurants entirely.

I have linked to some news articles below.

Czech restaurants to show whether they are smoke-free
A New Label for Prague’s Smoking Spots
New anti-smoking legislation planned

Outdoor grilling is especially popular this time of year. It always draws crowds when it happens on Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí). The first two pictures are from last Monday when there was a celebration for the Czech team winning the 2010 Hockey World Championship.






The sausage stands on Wenceslas Square (Václavské náměstí) are still a draw for a quick bite. The two stands at the bottom of the square are the busiest.

We have a number of Czech tongue twisters on our Czech language learning site Local Lingo. We are in the process of adding audio for all of the tongue twisters and making them easy to listen to. Just press play – no software needed.

Here are a few popular tongue twisters with slow and normal speed audio.

If you would like to suggest a Czech tongue twister to include on Local Lingo, please let us know in the comments.

Click on the “play” button to hear the audio.

Strč prst skrz krk.
slow version
    Stick your finger through your throat.

Pštros s pštrosicí a malými pštrosáčaty.
slow version
    A male ostrich with a female ostrich and baby ostriches went to the ostrich house.

Třistatřiatřicet stříbrných křepelek přeletělo přes třistatřiatřicet stříbrných střech.
slow version
    Three hundred and thirty three silver quails flew over three hundred and thirty three silver roofs.

The MICHELIN guide Main Cities of Europe 2010 is out and Prague retains a one star restaurant. The Allegro Restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel defended its one star rating while the other one star restaurant from 2009, Gordon Ramsay’s Maze, closed before the ratings were released in 2009.

Divinis and SaSaZu are two new recipients of the Bib Gourmand award, which indicates a “high quality, affordable, three-course meal”. Aromi, Le Cornichon (now closed) and Le Terroir defended their Bib Gourmand awards from last year.

For further reading see:

Prague´s Allegro restaurant defends its Michelin star from 2008

Michelin loses its luster

If you are interested in purchasing the guide:

MICHELIN guide Main Cities of Europe 2010 – Amazon.co.uk

MICHELIN guide Main Cities of Europe 2010 – Amazon.com (published on May 10)