The Carlsberg-ian Method of Learning About Danish Society

At DIS, or Danish Institute for Study Abroad, we have Wednesdays free from class so that teachers can take their classes on Field Studies (field trips) around Copenhagen. This semester I had the most bizarre field study yet...not in a bad way but definitely something that I did not expect to be paired with a class on Danish Politics and Society. That being a trip to Carlsberg Breweries. Though it may sound strange since I have been in Copenhagen since August, I had not yet been to Carlsberg. Despite having learned about numerous local microbreweries (see my birthday post from October) I had not gone to Carlsberg breweries until this field study.

Our teacher for this class, Jacob, is the former minister of Transportation for Denmark, and he was my core teacher last semester for European Politics. He has great insight on Danish politics and keeps things entertaining with funny real life stories at the same time. Needless to say he is a teacher that definitely thinks outside of the box. Our Field Study was a prime example of this.

On that note I should commence on the account of our class’s study tour to Carlsberg Breweries. Complete with a beer tasting, this trip was intended to teach about Danish social culture, and a little about Danish history.

Despite the cold, we walked around the breweries (old and new Carlsberg) seeing what there is to see. Here is our Carlsberg experience!

A sure indicator that you are nearing something that may be slightly important to the world of beer...

If you are lost in Copenhagen,walking up to a very official looking building and find a row of Carlsberg trucks there are only certain conclusions that can be reached. A) The water source in the area is tainted so that it is healthier to drink beer, B) The office specializes in getting people past their fears of Karaoke, C) The Police are using their monetary gain from music to send a Message In a Bottle to every man woman and child or D) the office is part of Carlsberg Breweries. Despite the strong urge to believe I will someday find a Message In a Bottle sent out by The Police, the latter is definitely the most logical conclusion. (Though it must be noted that one of the reasons why beer gained such popularity in the old times was because beer unlike water at the time did not kill you) 

Similar to Budweiser, Carlsberg maintains a stable of horses to pull the Carlsberg wagon, which you may periodically see around Copenhagen on special occasions. Below is a picture of Laura in the stable. She is one of the horses trained to drink Carlsberg out of the bottle. This begs the question of whether a Hauling Under the Influence penalty can be imposed when she is pulling the wagom.

Carl Jacobsen (son of JC Jacobsen who started Carlsberg) was quite fond of art, as is apparent when you see the four massive carved elephants at the Brewery. Build to wish his four surviving children good luck and long lives, the elephants have become "one of the things that is a must see" at Carlsberg breweries.

The old Brewing floor, which is no longer in use. I was quite impressed by the look of the hall, with gold gilding on railings, polished copper, and a general design of elegance.

After the tour, we had a beer tasting session, with 5 Jacobsen brews. (Jacobsen is a special type of Carlsberg) 

 

 

Though the Jacobsen brews are much better than your typical fizzy yellow water, I definitely preferred the beer present at the Valhal tasting. Oh the plight of being a beer snob!

 

Despite this, the trip to Carlsberg was definitely nice and I would highly recommend taking a tour of the breweries to anyone visiting Copenhagen!