Scan Magazine
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Brewery of the Month
| Denmark
Photo: Martin Thaulow
Photo: Lior Zilberstein
Time is the most important ingredient in beer, according to Svaneke’s master brewer Jan Paul. Photo: Lior Zilberstein
Brewery of the Month, Denmark
A beer of its time
As one of the first microbreweries to open in Denmark, Svaneke Bryghus on Bornholm is today widely known for its authentic taste, sustainable production methods and wide range of speciality beers. At the heart of the success are just five ingredients: malt, hops, water, yeast and, most importantly, time. By Signe Hansen
Known for its beautiful landscapes, sunny weather and local delicacies and food producers, the small, rocky island of Bornholm is also the home of one of Denmark’s first microbreweries. Founded by a local beer enthusiast in 2000, Svaneke brewery and restaurant has developed into a successful local enterprise. But the original respect for and connection to the craft are still intact. “At large breweries, you often have many miles between management and production; at Svaneke, it is 12.3 metres,” says CEO Daniel Barslund.
Inspired and powered by nature In the experienced hands of brew master Jan Paul, Svaneke Bryghus produces 114
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Issue 101
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June 2017
around two million litres of beer a year, including a number of non-alcoholic brews and organic beers. 50 per cent of the production is powered by nature – solar panels, that is – and the surrounding environment also acts as a major source of inspiration in the development of new tastes and products. “When I walk around the island and see mushrooms shooting, berries ripening, and seaweed bobbling between the rocks, I can’t help but begin to think about how we could use that in our new beers,” says Jan Paul, who is an acknowledged teacher within his field in Denmark and abroad. Combining nature’s inspiration with time and patience is, he says, key
to the creation of good beer. “Time is the quintessence of our production; it’s what essentially gives our beer its balanced and perfectly rounded taste. We don’t release anything before the beer has had the time it needs.”
Taste the beer and visit the brewery Svaneke’s beers are sold all over Denmark and the rest of the north, but to taste the full range of beers, you will have to visit the brewery’s home in Svaneke on Bornholm. Here, you will also find the Svaneke Bryghus Restaurant, which serves a wide range of the island’s famous food specialities as well as, of course, Svaneke beer. Guided tours of the brewery and beer tastings are available. For more information, please visit: www.svanekebryghus.dk or find #svanekebryghus on Facebook and Instagram.