That’s the total length of shelving in the Carlsberg Archives, which house records and around 300,000 photographs documenting the story of the company and the Jacobsen family from the 18th Century to the present day.
But the far-reaching influence of Carlsberg on Danish society, culture and industry gives the Archives far greater significance than just company history.
For example, papers have been found relating to the history of the Jews in Denmark, to the first use of electric light in Copenhagen and to the earliest designs of lorries and other transportation.
From personal records to international collections …
The earliest records date from the 1700s when Christen Jacobsen, the father of Carlsberg’s founder JC Jacobsen, was employed in the Royal Brew House in Copenhagen. Originally a farmer from Jutland, he worked his way up from brewery worker to director before setting up his own brewery.
The most recent include samples of all Carlsberg’s latest beer labels, which are sent out to collectors all round the world.
The Archives are also home to artworks from Carlsberg’s art collection which are not on permanent display in museums or offices. These include paintings by Asger Jorn, the Danish CoBrA artist from the 1940s, and Krøyer’s famous pictures of European royalty.
Helping historians, genealogists and film crews …
It’s archivist Ulla Nymand’s job to maintain the old records and to evaluate new additions that are regularly offered from Denmark and across the world. Together with an assistant and four part-time students, she also researches and answers hundreds of requests for information.
“Recently we’ve helped our own Innovations Centre find an original recipe for a 1905 beer and a film studio wanting to recreate an authentic Danish bar of the 1940s, as well as lots of people trying to trace their ancestors,” she says. “It’s a very interesting job because you never know what you will be asked about next.”
An international resource
The Archives are not open to the general public, although visits by historians and researchers can be arranged. Items are also occasionally loaned out to museums and exhibitions.
“But we’re happy to receive email enquiries, and try to respond to every request,” says Ulla. “However, please be patient as with so much information available, it can take up to a month to research the answers.”
You can contact Ulla Nymand in the Carlsberg Archives on Ulla.Nymand@carlsberg.com