Zalec is a small town that represents the administrative and economic center in the municipality of the same name. It is located in the Savinja Valley and has been a town since 1964. As a center of Slovenian hop growing, the place has been known since the end of the 19th century.
Other economic activities include trade, crafts and metallurgy. In written sources was first mentioned in 1256. The oldest monument is the former pilgrimage or Gothic church of Saint Nicholas from the 12th century, which was completely renovated in 1906. Tourist attractions of Zalec are Savin's House from 1669, Zotel Forge, Ecomuseum of Hop Growing and Brewing of Slovenia, Institute of Hop Growing and Brewing, Fire Museum, defensive tower with a conical roof, the Church of Saint Nicholas, a monument to Slovenian hop growing and a monument to the victims of the National Liberation War. The latest tourist attraction in Zalec is the Green Gold beer Fountain, which attracts many domestic and foreign visitors. It is located in the city park, next to the market. The story of the beer fountain dates back to 2014. It was created on the initiative of the then president of the Association of Tourist Associations of the Municipality of Zalec, Matjaz Omladic. Construction began in 2016, and the grand opening was in early September 2016. The basis for the architectural design of the fountain is a symbolic hop kobula, which is expressed in two fountains or semicircles. One is water and the other is beer. The semicircles are clad in copper lace, which is a symbol for the foam on the beer. The fountain was built by company Remont and the technology was provided by Etra. The Green Gold Fountain has eight taps, which are dark beer, light beer, red craft beer and more. The fountain is a real top pleasure for beer lovers. A visitor needs a glass mug to taste the beer, which can be purchased at various locations in the city, and is also available in the immediate vicinity of the fountain. For the price of € 6.00, try 5 x 1 dcl of beer. The glass is placed under the dispenser, which detects it and the dispensing process starts automatically. The mug is equipped with a special chip and is the work of a renowned industrial designer and honorary citizen of the Municipality of Zalec, Oskar Kogoj. It was made in Hrastnik in 1860.
The Green Gold beer fountain is a tribute to the hop heritage of the Lower Savinja Valley and to Zalec, which is the center of hop growing in Slovenia. Hops give the beer a recognizable note and taste. It is of Asian origin and the drinks were already prepared by the peoples of Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt.