By LAWRENCE TAN
Carlsberg’s
Jacobsen Brew House in Copenhagen has released what it claims to be one of the
world’s most expensive beers. At more than 250 euros per bottle, the limited
edition Vintage No. 2 forms the second brew in its Vintage trilogy, and only
600 bottles have been produced. Vintage No. 1 debuted last year.
Morten Ibsen, Brewmaster at Jacobsen, who
developed the Vintage No. 2 with four of his colleagues, says: ““With the Vintage
trilogy we want to push the boundaries for what a beer can do, and to challenge
the luxury wine segment in the gourmet restaurant market by utilizing our
innovation and brewing capabilities.”
Vintage No. 2 is a Baltic Porter, which
according to Jacobsen, which originates from 18th century Imperial
Stout and was originally made for the Russian Tsarina Kathrine the Great. The
beer had been matured in J.C. Jacobsen’s original crypt-like cellar since 1847,
and spent 100 days in French oak casks. It has an expiry date of 2059.
Because of its stout-like origins, it has a
jet-black color and espresso-like foam. Jacobsen says Vintage No. 2’s aroma
displays hints of tar and ropes, owing to the peat-smoked Scottish malt used
for the brew. It is best served at 15-20°C and pairs well with oysters, shellfish, Parma ham and cheese but is
equally at home with sweeter delights like chocolate and crème brûlée.
Each Vintage bottle also features a hand
stenciled lithographic print created by Chilean-born artist Marco Evaristti,
with the Carlsberg Elephant as the recurring motif in five different versions.
Carlsberg Group