Carlsberg Special Brew

There are few more distinctive beers in terms of taste, appearance, and reputation (notoriety?) than Carlsberg Special Brew. The mere mention of its name will conjure up certain images in the minds of some, and possibly also certain memories (my apologies for reminding you – yes YOU!) Of course many people, even beer-drinkers, will never have touched the drink – or touched it once and vowed never to do so again. Yet Special Brew is more than just a beer. It’s a symbol, an accessory. To be seen drinking Special Brew is to make a very public statement. But is this statement simply: “I intend to get very pissed very quickly”, or something ...

Carlsberg as a Danish company carries with it the logo and signature catchphrase of being '.....probably the best lager in the World.' It has been brewed since the mid-19th Century, and in 1950, as testament to the heroic war efforts of Winston Churchill, the Danes created a newer, special brew of their lager, making it much stronger at 9%. This was coordinated with Churchill's visit to their country. The brand has stuck, and, for want of a better name for it, they called it Carlsberg Special Brew. The drink has the prize of being considered the first super-strength lager to make a big success on the market, but at 9% ABV (alcohol by volume) you won't find ...

This stuff might as well be served at BP forecourts across the country .. you probably could actually run your car off the stuff. I was introduced to Carlsberg Special Brew a few years ago now, and it's fair to say that it doen't take pride of place in my fridge. The Special Brew was first produced in 1950, to commemorate a visit by Winston Churchill to Copenhagen. He was seen as a hero by the Danes, for defeating the Nazi's in the second world war, a few years previously. Known as 'Easter Beer' in Denmark, production of the stuff was introduced to the UK a few years later out of Northampton. I don't often drink Special Brew, but when I do, I ...