Going into my Third decade with a Hoppy taste!

As some of you may know, October 1st was my 20th birthday. Not being a huge fan of drawing attention to the fact that I can not stay a kid forever, which is what I wanted to be when I grew up, I didn't organize anything special for my birthday. Yet it was so special that I really can not thank my host parents enough.

Ole and Birgitte met me after my last class on Friday, and we started walking, to where I had no idea. Eventually we stopped in front of what looked like a restaurant with a sign saying Nørrebro Bryghus. Entering into the building I was informed that is was a brewery. Having been living with two beer connoiseurs my curiousity deepened as to what they had planned. And for good reason, for how many other 20 years are given a private tour of a brewery for their birthday! I learned quite a lot about the process of making beer by getting to look into the tanks( I didn't have to stand behind the usual barrier) , seeing what is actually going on, and having everything personally explained to me.

After the tour we headed upstairs to the magnificent restaurant. Here Ole ordered us all the five course dinner, with six beers paired to the dishes. The waiter brought a Danish flag to our table to pinpoint us as being the location where someone is celebrating their birthday or fødselsdag. (Danes use their flag for all sorts of special occasions, including birthdays.)In the midst of  salmon dishes, pork dishes, cheese dishes, beef dishes, and lemon meringue pie there was raspberry beer, german pilsner,  oktoberfest beer, hoppy beer, amber beer and chocolate beer for dessert. For an American who never knew there was more than a single taste of beer one is always amazed at the variety, or at least I still am. I am learning that the world of beer is similar to what one typically thinks of as the wine world, where beers are matched to dishes for their taste and quality. This restaurant definitely matched things perfectly in my mind.

The dinner was absolutely amazing, the food was perfect and I had such a good time with Ole & Birgitte. The celebration of my birthday this year was something totally different than anything I had ever experienced. All in all my birthday was amazing!! I am looking forward to seeing what life will bring in this new decade. Kicking off my next decade in Copenhagen is the perfect start!

Thanks Ole and Birgitte for the amazing Birthday!