URSUS craft brewery, Čutkovská valley

URSUS craft brewery (Remeselný pivovar URSUS) is the first brewery of the town of Ružomberok, tucked away in the picturesque Čutkovská valley in lower Liptov. It grew naturally out of the U dobrého pastiera mountain resort, which has been welcoming guests in its wooden kolibas for many years. The beer is brewed to tried-and-tested recipes, and besides malt and hops the brewers name water from the Čutkovská valley as their key ingredient — in their words it is what gives the beer its distinctive taste.

The process is overseen by experienced brewmaster Peter Bačkor. The beer ferments in open vats and matures in lager tanks at a controlled temperature and for a controlled time, which gives it body and balance. In 2025 the brewery was awarded the regional quality label Produkt Liptova. So it is worth coming not only for the beer but also for the quiet valley, the koliba and the animals.

What to taste and do

• House beers. The core range has “local” names: Senátor — a 12° pale lager, Prelát — a 13° semi-dark lager, Kráľ — a 12° top-fermented dark beer, Nôta — a 9° session IPA, Embek — a 10° pale beer, Cifrovačka and Kortešačka — 17° IPAs, Štedrák — a 15° honey porter.
• Brewery tour. The guided tour lasts 90 minutes: the history of brewing and of how the brewery was founded, the basics of the technology and the “alchemy” of brewing, the special raw materials — and at the end a tasting of the house beer. Times and conditions must be arranged with the resort in advance.
• Lemonade for non-drinkers. The new Limčutka is the first “Čutkovo” organic lemonade, flavoured with apple, mint and orange.
• Lunch in the koliba. Koliba Richtárka serves traditional Slovak food made to regional recipes of the housewives of nearby Černová. There is a children’s corner with folk toys, and in the basement an old-style tavern room seating 50 for booked parties.
• Farmyard. Old local breeds are kept here: Valaška sheep (listed in the gene reserve of endangered breeds), Slovak white geese, Slovak Pinzgau cattle, Oravka hens and Liptov Lysko rabbits. Children enjoy feeding the animals; according to the Liptov tourism portal, there are trout in the pond and sheep grazing on the meadow.
• A walk up the valley. An educational trail leads from the resort through the Čutkovská valley.

Practical information

Getting there. The resort lies on the western edge of Ružomberok in the Čutkovská valley (address Čremošná 8684). The easiest way is by car; it is not far from town, so you can also come by bike.

Opening hours. Koliba Richtárka is open daily 7:00–21:00 (last orders 20:30), with a buffet breakfast 7:00–10:00. Pets are not allowed in the restaurant. Brewery tours are by prior booking through the resort reception; the price is not published on the website (as of October 2026).

For groups. The brewery rents out its own room for 25 people plus 8 seats on the terrace for company evenings or get-togethers with friends; bookings are possible all year.

Remember: do not combine a beer tasting with driving — Slovakia has a zero alcohol limit for drivers.

Nearby

• Vlkolínec — a UNESCO-listed village above Ružomberok.
• Salaš Krajinka — sheep’s cheese and bryndza 2 km from town.
• Likava Castle — fortress ruins north of Ružomberok.

Official website: udobrehopastiera.sk

Photos: udobrehopastiera.sk.