Copenhagen: Home of Carlsberg Brewery Tour & Beer Tasting

Summary

Carlsberg’s legacy up close with beer tasting and brewery tales

You’ll step into Copenhagen’s original Carlsberg brewery, walk through halls lined with historic bottles, and hear stories straight from local guides. Taste fresh draft beer at the Carlsberg Bar (or non-alcoholic if you’re under 18), meet gentle brewing horses in their stables, and relax outside among locals in the brewery yard or sculpture garden. There’s something quietly special about seeing where it all began.

What’s the experience like?

Someone hands me a cold glass before I’ve even finished gawking at the old copper kettles — that’s how our day started at the Home of Carlsberg in Copenhagen. The place smells like a mix of malt and old wood, and there’s this low hum from other visitors moving through the halls. Our guide, Mads (he joked his name was “almost as Danish as the beer”), pointed out a photo of J.C. Jacobsen and his son, Carl — apparently their family drama shaped half of what we were about to see. I didn’t expect to care about 19th-century brewery feuds, but it turns out beer history is more dramatic than I thought.

We wandered through rooms filled with bottles — seriously, there must have been thousands lined up behind glass. There was this interactive thing about yeast that made me realize how little I know about actual brewing science (Mads tried to explain it; I nodded along). The best part? When we finally sat down in the Carlsberg Bar and tasted a draft poured right in front of us. It was colder and creamier than anything I’d had back home — maybe just because I’d seen where it came from, or maybe because everything tastes better when you’re a little lost in a new city.

The stables were quieter than I expected. You could hear one of the horses snuffling around for carrots. Some kids were giggling nearby, trying to pet them without getting slobbered on. Outside in the yard, people lingered over their beers under big old trees; there was this faint scent of hops in the air mixed with something sweet from a food cart somewhere off to the side. We ended up sitting by some statues in the sculpture garden just talking about travel plans for way too long. I still think about that first sip — not sure if it was the taste or just being there that stuck with me.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Home of Carlsberg exhibition

• Enter Carlsberg's original brewery
• Learn Carlsberg's history from 1847
• Discover founder J.C. Jacobsen's story
• Explore father and son brewing disputes
• Engage with interactive games and videos
• See one of the largest bottle collections
• Taste draft beer at Carlsberg Bar
• Visit majestic brewing horses in stable
• Walk through brewery yard and sculpture garden

Top questions

How do I get to Home of Carlsberg from central Copenhagen?

You can use public transportation; options are available nearby according to tour info.

Is beer tasting included for everyone?

Beer tasting is included for guests 18 or older; under 18s get non-alcoholic drinks.

What time should I arrive before closing?

You need to enter at least 2 hours before closing time to join the exhibition.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Yes, children are welcome but will be served non-alcoholic drinks instead of beer.

Is this tour suitable for people with limited mobility?

The experience is suitable for all physical fitness levels but not recommended for those with poor cardiovascular health.

Can I see the Carlsberg horses during my visit?

Yes, visiting the majestic brewing horses in their stable is part of your day at Home of Carlsberg.

Does this include lunch or just drinks?

The inclusion listed is alcoholic beverages (beer); lunch is not mentioned as included.

What’s included

Your visit includes entry to Home of Carlsberg’s historic exhibition spaces with access to interactive displays and one of the world’s largest bottle collections, plus a freshly poured draft beer (or non-alcoholic drink for minors) served at the Carlsberg Bar. You’ll also meet brewing horses in their stable and can spend time relaxing in both the lively brewery yard and peaceful sculpture garden before heading back into Copenhagen.