The Beer Fountain of Slovénie
The Beer Fountain of Slovénie
The world's first beer fountain, Žalec's Green Gold serves six Slovenian beers in the heart of the hop valley, open from April to October.
In the municipal park of Žalec, beside the market square, a fountain dispenses not water but six Slovenian beers. Inaugurated in 2016, the Green Gold Fountain is presented as the world's first beer fountain. It pays homage to the Lower Savinja valley, the historic heart of hop cultivation in Slovénie.
Why visit Žalec's beer fountain
Slovénie ranks among the world's five largest hop producers, with the Žalec region accounting for the bulk of production. The fountain materializes this agricultural heritage into a unique tourist attraction: two semicircles evoking the hop flower, covered with a copper lacework representing beer foam. The structure was built by Slovenian company Remont, with service technology supplied by the company Etra. In 2017, the Slovenian Tourism Office awarded it the title of Sejalec, which recognizes innovative tourism projects in the country.
Beyond its curiosity value, a stop here fits into a broader exploration of the Lower Savinja Valley, known as the "valley of green gold," and complements well an itinerary through central Slovénie.
History of the green gold fountain
Hop cultivation in the valley dates back to the era of Empress Maria Theresa, in the 18th century. The region's first hop field was planted at Novo Celje Manor. For two centuries, the valley and the town of Žalec (approximately 21,000 inhabitants in the municipality) became a European reference point for hop cultivation and brewing, making this activity the primary source of local income.
The idea of a beer fountain emerged in 2014, at the initiative of Matjaž Omladič, then president of the Žalec Tourism Societies Association. An architectural design competition brought together six proposals; the municipality selected the concept from RC Planiranje. After a preparation phase in 2015, construction began in April 2016. The inauguration ceremony took place on September 6, 2016, a date corresponding to the municipal holiday commemorating the second pan-Slovenian assembly (tabor) of 1868, held in Žalec.
The six taps and their beers
The fountain has six taps, each serving a different type of beer:
- Kukec: beer named after Simon Kukec, a historic hop grower and brewer from Žalec.
- Ambassador beers: a representative selection from major Slovenian breweries.
- Classic Slovenian blonde beers.
- Beers from the Saxony region (invited rotation).
- Trendy beers, featured according to the season.
- Experimental beers from the Slovenian Institute for Hop Research and Brewing, based in Žalec.
To taste, you must purchase a ceramic mug equipped with a chip, designed by Slovenian designer Oskar Kogoj. It is sold at several points in the town for a modest price (around €8 depending on the season) and entitles you to several servings of 10 cl. The mug can be kept as a souvenir.
Practical information
Location: municipal park in Žalec, immediately adjacent to the market square and city center. The town is located approximately 75 km east of Ljubljana and 12 km west of Celje, accessible by train or car via the A1 motorway.
How it works: purchase a chip-enabled mug from a partner sales point (fountain shop, tourist office), then present it under each tap to obtain a serving. The number of servings included is specified at purchase.
Duration of visit: allow 30 minutes to 1 hour for a leisurely tasting, longer if you combine it with the ecomuseum and the Zeleno zlato shop.
When to visit
The fountain is open seasonally, generally from April to October. High season (June to September) coincides with fine weather, open-air concerts, and hop-related events. The Green Gold Festival (Festival zelenega zlata), held annually during the harvest, is the liveliest time: farm market, local gastronomy, and concerts take place around the fountain.
What to see nearby
The Hop Ecomuseum
Open since November 2009, the Ecomuseum of Horticultural and Brewing Industry of Slovénie is located near the fountain. It houses tools, photographs, and accounts of hop cultivation, harvesting families, the valley's traditional clothing and culinary practices, as well as seasonal rituals (harvest opening, election of the hop princess).
The Zeleno zlato shop
The small Zeleno zlato ("Green Gold") shop offers artisanal products from Lower Savinja farms: local beers, honeys, preserves, and hop-based cosmetics.
Excursions from Žalec
The town works well as a detour between Ljubljana and the east of the country. Within an hour's drive, you can extend your journey to Bled Island, the Dragon Bridge in Ljubljana, or head down to the Soča Valley to see the Kobarid Museum and the Javorca memorial.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
The chip-enabled mug is sold at a modest price, around €8 depending on the season. It includes several servings of 10 cl and can be kept as a souvenir.
The fountain has six taps, each offering a different style: Kukec, ambassador beers, Slovenian blonde beers, guest beers, trendy beers, and experimental beers from the Slovenian Hop Institute.
The fountain operates from April to October. The hop harvest period, late August to early September, coincides with the Green Gold Festival and offers the most festive atmosphere.
Several sales points in downtown Žalec offer it: the fountain ticket office, the tourist information center, and certain partner shops like the Zeleno zlato boutique.
Žalec is located approximately 75 km east of Ljubljana, about 50 minutes by car via the A1 motorway. Žalec railway station is served by regional trains between Ljubljana and Celje.
Planning the rest of your trip
The green gold fountain integrates well into a themed itinerary around Slovenian wine regions and local heritage. To create a custom itinerary between Ljubljana, the Lower Savinja, and the Julian Alps, consult our Slovénie travel ideas.
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