If you were to ask anyone what they think of when they hear the word “Denmark”, they’d almost certainly mention bicycles — and flat landscapes would probably be part of the equation as well. The third holy column in Danish society is beer, and this small country north of Germany has an abundance of the stuff. But what are the best Danish beer brands?
Breweries and beer brands in Denmark range from some of the world’s most famous companies to local brewers that have left their mark on the local drinking scene — both in and outside of major cities.
Laws for selling alcohol are less strict than in the other Nordic countries, making it easy to enjoy a tipple regardless of where you are.
If you want to learn more about Danish beer and perhaps venture beyond the best-known companies, you’re in the right place.
This article will discuss everything you need to know about beer brands from Denmark, along with providing a bit of useful practical advice that you should keep in mind for your visit.
Where can I buy beer in Denmark?
Unlike Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland, the Danish mainland doesn’t have an alcohol monopoly. As a result, you can easily buy beer in Denmark from pretty much any supermarket throughout the country.
Supermarkets in Denmark stock a broad range of beer brands, ranging from Carlsberg to lesser-known local breweries that are worth trying. Prices are usually quite affordable; discount stores like Netto usually have good deals.
In addition to supermarkets, Denmark has several bars and pubs dotted around the country. Copenhagen has several places to try unique beers, and you can also check out local brands if you’re visiting another part of the country.
You need to be 18 to buy alcohol in bars, but the legal age for purchasing beer from supermarkets is 16.
Buying beer in the Faroe Islands
We have included one beer brand from the Faroe Islands in this article, so it’s worth mentioning that alcohol laws on this scenic archipelago differ from Denmark — even though it’s part of the same kingdom.
If you visit the Faroes, you can buy beer from Rúsdrekkasøla Landsins — the territory’s alcohol monopoly.
You can also purchase alcohol from the archipelago’s several bars and pubs. The legal drinking age is 18.
Where can I drink beer in Denmark?
Denmark is a pretty liberal country, and its alcohol laws reflect this. You are allowed to drink in public, including carrying open cans and bottles of beer as you walk around major cities.
The only caveat is that you’re not allowed to be a nuisance, which — we would assume — you have no plans of doing so. And obviously, keep out of the cycling lanes unless you want to learn a few Danish profanities.
Is it legal to cycle after consuming beer in Denmark?
Cycling is the primary mode of transport for many Danes, and many people in the country drink alcohol on a pretty regular basis. Needless to say, then, we should probably cover the laws related to cycling in Denmark after consuming alcohol.
Compared to many other countries, the police in Denmark are pretty laid back. As long as you can cycle safely, you shouldn’t have any problems — unless you’ve got the wrong lights on your bike and are cycling at night.
If you cannot ride safely, you could receive a 1,500 DKK fine — which is over $200. “Riding safely” is subjective, but excessively wobbling, falling off your bike, and cycling on the pavements or streets will probably land you in hot water.
If you plan to enjoy more than a few of the Danish beers we’ve mentioned, consider leaving the bike at home and using public transport or walking instead.
What are the best Danish beer companies?
Now that we’ve covered some of the basics of drinking beer in Denmark, we can go through the country’s top brands. Below, you’ll discover 20 different brands and breweries dotted throughout Denmark.
Carlsberg
Carlsberg is arguably the most famous Danish brand altogether, let alone the most prominent beer company. It has been around for over 150 years and still has its headquarters in Copenhagen today.
If you’re from somewhere other than Denmark, or you’ve never lived or visited here, you’ll probably be used to the standard pilsner that many pubs and clubs serve. But believe it or not, Carlsberg has several variations.
When in Denmark, you’ll find Carlsberg ales and beers going up to 10.5% in alcohol volume — alongside the regular pilsner. Moreover, you’ll discover porters and alcohol-free beer if you want the taste without the alcohol.
Carlsberg is one of the most widespread beers in Denmark, and you’ll find it in almost every pub and bar — along with most supermarkets.
Tuborg
“Tuborg, the beer of Danish kings” — the wise words of Homer J. Simpson.
Tuborg is another Danish beer powerhouse and originated in Hellerup — an upscale coastal suburb just north of Copenhagen’s city center. Although Tuborg is now owned by Carlsberg Group and took much of its production outside of Denmark, it still has a strong presence in its homeland.
Tuborg Green is the most widespread version of the beer in Denmark, and it’s a standard lager. You’ll also find Tuborg Rå, which translates to Tuborg Raw and is organic.
From November to late December, Tuborg produces a special Christmas beer that is darker in color and more bitter in taste. On J Dag, which takes place on the first Friday of every November, you can get some for free from the truck that goes around every Danish city.
You’ll find Tuborg in almost every bar throughout Denmark and most supermarkets. Often, it’s slightly cheaper than Carlsberg.
Mikkeller
Besides Tuborg and Carlsberg, Mikkeller is the best-known Danish beer brand. Founded in 2005, it inspired Denmark’s craft beer revolution — especially in and around Copenhagen. Since its early days, the brand has gone global; it now has a presence in Europe, Asia, and the US.
Mikkeller has produced craft beers that range from sour to bitter, and you’ll almost always find something that satisfies your taste buds. If you plan to visit Copenhagen sometime soon, you’ll find numerous Mikkeller bars throughout the city — many of which also serve excellent food.
Many Mikkeller bars have an ever-changing menu, meaning that no two visits are the same. You can also buy bottles of various flavors online and in a selection of stores — such as many Coop supermarkets.
Thisted Bryghus
Thisted is a small town in the northern part of Jutland, and it’s known for its close proximity to several attractions in that region – including Thy National Park. You’ll also discover a brewery here that has managed to grow into one of Denmark’s most famous beer brands.
Thisted Bryghus has been around for over a century and has won several awards. It has brewed several kinds of beer, and perhaps its best-known one is Limfjords Porter — which also has a pale ale version.
Thisted Bryghus has also produced numerous draft beers, plus much more. You’ll find many of its beers in supermarkets such as Netto, along with several packages online.
Fermentoren
Fermentoren is an excellent place to sample your first beer from Denmark if you’re new to Copenhagen. Fermentoren has two breweries — one in the capital and another in Aarhus.
Fermentoren’s menu is regularly changing, and its bar in Copenhagen has over 20 craft beers on the menu. Like Mikkeller, you can find a wide range of tastes, and going through each of them is a lot of fun.
Fermentoren only has one bar at the time of writing, which is on the outskirts of the capital’s lively Meatpacking District. However, it plans to open one in Aarhus in the near future.
On the Fermentoren website, you can purchase several IPA types and more if you’re not in Copenhagen anytime soon.
BRUS
BRUS is one of the most famous breweries in Denmark, and it’s hugely popular with the locals in Copenhagen. Located in the vibrant Nørrebro neighborhood, BRUS is part of the wider To Øl brewery — which dates back to 2005 as an at-home project but became proper in 2010.
BRUS has over 30 beverages on its menu, most of which are beers. You’ll find IPAs, along with ales and much more. If beer isn’t your thing, you can enjoy cider instead.
In addition to the beers on tap, you can also check out BRUS’ various bottles when you visit. The venue is popular with Copenhageners looking to enjoy some good food, too, and you’ll find an extensive food menu.
It’s worth noting that BRUS is often busy on weekends and evenings, so you should consider leaving enough time to grab a seat if you’d like to sit down. You can also sit outside when the weather is nice.
Amager Bryghus
If you’re purely looking for Danish beer brands in and around Copenhagen, Amager Bryghus isn’t a bad one to start with. The brewery is located in Tårnby, which forms part of the Greater Copenhagen area despite being a separate municipality.
Amager Bryghus produces several branded beers, each with a quirky charm — such as the “One of Our Own”, which features Tottenham striker Harry Kane on the artwork. Other beers include fictional characters, and the brewery’s creations vary in terms of alcohol percentage and flavors.
If you happen to find yourself in Copenhagen, you can also sample Danish beer at the brewery — which conveniently happens to be close to Copenhagen Airport. You can also order some of its beers online if you’re interested in trying beer from Denmark but won’t be here soon.
Fanø Bryghus
We’ve given Copenhagen’s Danish beer brands a lot of love in this article so far but perhaps haven’t ventured out of the capital as much as we should have. So, for this one, we’re going to venture just outside of Esbjerg to the tiny island of Fanø.
Fanø Bryghus first came onto the scene in 2009, and it won the “Årets Bryggeri” award in 2021. You’ll find porters, sours, ales, stouts, and more at the brewery. It’s located on Fanø, around 10 minutes away from Esbjerg by ferry.
If you don’t want to venture that far, you can find places to buy Fanø Bryghus’ concoctions all over Denmark. Several stores in Copenhagen stock beers created by the brewery, and the same is true for Aarhus, Odense, Aalborg, and more.
Bryghuset Møn
Møn is an island popular with Danes for camping during the summer, and it’s also frequented by Dutch and German tourists for the same reason. Many of them come to marvel at Møns Klint, which is arguably Denmark’s most stunning natural attraction.
If you want to learn more about the island and sample some of its tipple, though, consider trying some of the beers on offer from Bryghuset Møn.
Bryghuset Møn was founded in 2005, and the brewery has created several innovative beers that hold a distinct, consistent theme with their close relationship to the island of Møn itself. You can also buy beers usually consumed at special times of the year, such as Christmas and Easter.
Föroya Bjór
All of our beer brands from Denmark so far have been from the Danish mainland and its several islands dotted across the Baltic. However, we haven’t included any from the Faroe Islands or Greenland until now.
Föroya Bjór translates to “Faroe Islands Beer” and has been around since 1888. The brewery is headquartered in Klaksvík, which is just over 40 kilometers from the capital Tórshavn.
Föroya Bjór has a decent selection of Faroese beers, including basic pilsners and more advanced flavors. Föroya Bjór also produces whiskies and spirits through Einar’s Distillery.
Himmeriget
Heading a few hours south again, the next stop on our tour of Danish beer brands is Himmeriget. The craft beer bar is located on Åboulevard, which is the stretch of road that separates Frederiksberg and Nørrebro.
Himmeriget specializes in craft beers, and you’ll find a huge selection of bottles — plus 10 beers on tap. The flavors change year-round, meaning that you’ll always find something new to try.
Himmeriget has several types of beer, including numerous IPAs. The bar is quite small, so you might have to squeeze tight for some space during busy periods. It’s close to The Lakes, making it easy to reach from the city center.
Brøckhouse
Just outside of Copenhagen, you’ll find Hillerød — famous for its iconic Frederiksborg Castle. People don’t usually visit for many other reasons, except for shopping – but you will find the former Brøckhouse brewery here.
Brøckhouse was founded in 1995 but has since ceased operations. It developed multiple beers, including a popular red beer. You could also purchase bottles in several sizes, including larger 2-liter ones.
Brøckhouse’s main unique selling point was that its beers focused on different events from Danish history. The company went out of business in 2009, and many of its struggles were connected to the financial crisis around that time.
Nørrebro Bryghus
Coming back to Copenhagen, we’re going to another popular place for beer enthusiasts in the Nørrebro district. Nørrebro Bryghus has a bar close to The Lakes, and you’ll find another spot for beer in Reffen too.
It’s one of the best places to meet up with your friends or go on a date with someone.
Nørrebro Bryghus has established itself within the capital pretty well, having been around since 2003. The brewery has several intriguing beers, including an elderflower IPA and the New York Lager.
Nørrebro Bryghus also hosts several events, such as beer tasting and even beer yoga. In addition to its bars and breweries, you can also find its beers in various Danish supermarkets.
Harboes Bryggeri
Harboes Bryggeri is one of the largest brands selling beer in Denmark. Its headquarters are in Skælskør, which is just over an hour from Copenhagen.
Harboe is one of the most widespread beers in Danish supermarkets, and you’ll find large packs in both Netto and REMA 1000. However, it’s not really something that many pubs and bars serve in Denmark.
Despite being around since 1883 and trading on the Copenhagen Stock Exchange, Harboes Bryggeri is still owned to this day by the same family. In addition to Denmark, Harboes Bryggeri has a strong presence elsewhere in Scandinavia — along with other parts of the world.
Fuglsang
Fuglsang translates to “Bird Song” in English, and the brewery is headquartered in Haderslev — a small town in the south of Jutland. The brewery is one of the oldest in Denmark, having been founded in 1865. Until 2021, it was the country’s oldest family-owned brewery.
Fuglsang is now part of Royal Unibrew, which also owns reputable international brands such as Heineken and Newcastle Brown Ale. Fuglsang itself has a good selection of beers, ranging from pilsners to darker beers. All of them are, as you might have guessed, themed around birds.
You can find Fuglsang in many Danish supermarkets.
Faxe Brewery
Faxe is a small town not far from Copenhagen, famous locally for the iconic Faxe Kondi lemonade drink (also now owned by Royal Unibrew), which you can only get in Denmark. Faxe Brewery is also owned by Royal Unibrew, and its beers have a distinct Viking theme running through them.
Faxe beers range from IPAs to stouts, and the company has also given wheat beer a go — along with alcohol-free versions of the typical pilsner.
Interestingly, the Faxe brand has a diverse presence outside of Denmark. Countries it operates in include Kenya, the Ivory Coast, and Canada.
Bryggeriet Djævlebryg
Bryggeriet Djævlebryg originated in 2006 and is headquartered in Copenhagen. Its slogan translates to “The Devil’s Good Beer”, which gives you a little insight into its mischievous branding.
Bryggeriet Djævlebryg has produced a wide selection of beers, including several types of ales and stouts. You’ll also find IPAs, along with other beer flavors to match your tastes.
Bryggeriet Djævlebryg has several sellers throughout Denmark.
Bryggeriet Apollo
Our final Copenhagen-based brewery to make the Danish beer brands list is Bryggeriet Apollo, which has an eatery and bar right next to the iconic Tivoli Gardens in the city center.
Bryggeriet Apollo dates back to 1990 and was one of the early players in Copenhagen’s evolving craft beer scene. The brewery produces different flavors on a monthly basis, with a good range of choices for both pilsners and ales.
Skagen Bryghus
Heading back to the north of Jutland and we’re going to Skagen next, which is where you’ll find Skagen Bryghus. This microbrewery is in the heart of Skagen and right next to the town’s main train station.
Skagen Bryghus features bock, IPA, stout, and several other beer options. If you plan to visit Skagen, you can sit down with a meal and enjoy the atmosphere; the restaurant has a good menu of dishes to choose from.
Like many of the breweries on this list, you can also order several bottles online.
Svaneke Bryghus
To round off our list of beer brands from Denmark, we’re hopping on a ferry to the scenic island of Bornholm. Svaneke Bryghus has the prestigious accolade of being the country’s easternmost brewery.
Svaneke Bryghus prides itself on creating beers that are 100% organic. It specializes in craft beers, and it gives all of its concoctions enough time for the flavors to come together. The brewery also won bronze for one of its pilsners at the 2020 World Beer Awards.
Svaneke Bryghus also has a “Don’t Worry” selection, which focuses on alcohol-free beers that still taste good.
Denmark might be small, but beer brands from Denmark are taking the world by storm
Denmark is one of the world’s best beer producers, and the country’s mark on the industry is clear for everyone to see. From titans like Carlsberg to smaller breweries such as Svaneke Bryghus, the best Danish beer brands are varied and have produced several intriguing flavors.
Many beer brands from Denmark evolve their menus all the time, meaning that you’ll always find something new to enjoy. And regardless of whether you’re in Copenhagen or another part of the country, you’ll discover a brewery that matches your tastes if you fancy going on a night out.
Danish cities are steeped in history, and nowhere is that more evident than in its capital. From cute cobblestone streets to picturesque harbors and impressive palaces, you could put in a good claim for Copenhagen being the most pleasant city in Europe.
Why not learn all about the top tourist attractions to prepare for your trip?
Scandification: Discovering Scandinavia.
Now read these:
—Exploring the drinking culture in Denmark
