Carlsberg launches Abbey Ale in Denmark on June 6 as the first of a series of new beers produced solely for the Danish market and representing the highest possible achievement of the brewmaster's art.
Inspired by the brews of the Trappist monks, Abbey Ale has the characteristic aroma of the Belgian style and an alcohol percent of 7.3%abv. It is an unfiltered beer brewed using lager malt, Munich malt, caramel malt, a small amount of dark-roasted chocolate malt, sugar and Saaz aroma hops.
The top fermenting yeast used works at a higher temperature than traditional bottom fermenting yeast. It develops a complex mixture of aromas consisting of leather, dried apricots and black currents, blended with a delicate flowery aroma. The first impression is a full and dry taste with a discreet acidity. The after-taste is elegant and spicy with muted bitterness.
Abbey Ale is the first result of a development project called by the Latin nameSemper Ardens(always burning), which for more than a year has brought together Carlsberg's master brewers and some of Denmark's leading chefs.Semper Ardenswas one of the mottoes of Carl Jacobsen, the son of Carlsberg's founder J.C. Jacobsen. The motto reflects his philosophy that a brewer should always strive to improve both himself and the quality of his beer - a motto that Carlsberg still holds dear.
"Carlsberg is proud of its heritage as a brewer and we wanted to show that as an industrial brewer we still employ all the traditional skills," said Carlsberg Group development manager Torsten Steenholt Christensen.
"The Carlsberg Group brews many interesting and exciting beers and it is important that we challenge drinkers with types of beer that are new to them, if we are to maintain their interest. It is also important to emphasise that beer and food do fit together incredibly well."
Brewing takes place at Carlsberg's small-scale pilot brewery in Valby, Copenhagen, which sits in the cellars below the brewery in which Carl started his brewing career. Only 3,000 bottles of each brew will be produced, which is the maximum capacity of the pilot brewery. Each 70cl bottle has been hand filled and the label also placed by hand. These beers will only be available in 30 specially selected restaurants in Denmark.
Rare yeast types, unusual cereals, and completely new brewing strategies form the basis of the new brews. Many different types of hops with very different aroma characteristics will be used.
The appearance of Abbey Ale also marks one of the few times that Carlsberg has brewed a beer using top fermenting yeast. All Carlsberg beers are brewed using the bottom fermenting yeast Saccharomyces carlsbergensis that gives Carlsberg its characteristic light and fruity aroma.
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For further information contact:
Margrethe Skov
Public Affairs Manager
Tel: + 45 33 27 14 10
Torsten Steenholt Christensen
Group Development Manager
Tel: + 45 33 27 52 99
Founded over 150 years ago in Copenhagen, Denmark, the Carlsberg Group is a major international brewer. Its Carlsberg and Tuborg brands are among the most widely-sold beers in the world. Besides Denmark, local production takes place at 73 sites in 40 countries. Carlsberg sells more than 88% of its beer outside Denmark. The parent company includes the Carlsberg and Tuborg Breweries, together with 100 subsidiaries and associated companies distributed around the world.