Hornbeer manages to encapsulate the Danish micro-brewing scene while at the same time setting themselves apart from the others with some very distinguished beers.
It is made on the grounds of a fine
house an hours drive from Copenhagen.
It is a Husband and Wife operation; Gunhild and
Jørgen have 39 beers listed under the Horn brand since they opened
in 2008. Most of their output has been IPA's and stouts/porters with
a smattering of wheat, bock and fruit beers. But it must be said that
when Hornbeer hits the mark it does hit it higher than most.
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| Tasting |
Their capacity has steadily increased
as has their recognition in the form of awards (They have as many
awards and merits for their beers as they have beers!). This has
gained them some needed distinction in a market crowded with Danish
breweries producing variations of the same strong IPA's and porters
under multiple labels.
Hoping to buck this trend Jørgen told
me he plans on a few more sessionable beers with lower abv's and has
done so successfully so far with Top Hop and Dry Hop at 4.7% and 5%
respectively.
Context aside, Hornbeer's big strong
stouts are consistently gratifying and indulgent. Their rightly
praised Fundamental Black Horn and Black Magic Women are deep
flavoured and flawless, though maybe too straight-forward to warrant their 10% abv.
Viking Chilli Stout is without a doubt
the jewel in their crown, a truly world class beer. The chilli is
well hidden in its chocolate maltiness. At first it is all truffle
and coca fruit and by the time it gets to your belly the chilli comes
into play with a sharp, then warming spice.
With their impressive track record so
far and a pragmatic approach to evolving beer tastes any new beers from Hornbeer should be drank with optimism!
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| Fermenters and new brew kit |
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| Old and new bottling lines |
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