Carlsberg began here in 1847, when J.C. Jacobsen opened a brewery on the hill at Valby and named it after his son Carl. More than 170 years later the old brewhouse has become Home of Carlsberg, a visitor attraction at 11 Gamle Carlsberg Vej that tells the story of the brewery, the Jacobsen family and the way beer shaped Danish life. The entry ticket covers the exhibition and one drink, alcoholic or not, and the visit takes about an hour and a half, so it fits neatly into a half-day outside the historic centre. The exhibition walks you through the brewing process from grain to glass, then widens out into Danish culture, the science of yeast and the architecture of the historic brewery buildings, which are some of the most handsome industrial buildings in the city. A beer tasting and a guided tour are available on site as extras rather than part of the basic ticket, so decide before you go whether you want the full tasting flight or the simple entry with a drink. There is a restaurant on site, Madklubben, and a shop for souvenirs. The attraction is open daily from morning to early evening, with last admission two hours before closing, which is worth remembering if you arrive late in the day. Free cancellation and rescheduling are offered until the day before your visit, which makes it easy to book a few days ahead and move it if the weather changes.
The setting is half the reason to come. Carlsberg Byen, the redeveloped brewery district, sits just south-west of the Vesterbro neighbourhood, and the brewery gates, towers and brick halls have been kept and reused rather than torn down. Look for the Elephant Gate, the ornamental entrance carried on stone elephants that Carlsberg built in the early twentieth century, and for the sculptures and gardens scattered through the old grounds.
The Jacobsen family were great patrons of art as well as beer, and the same wealth that built the brewery paid for the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, so a visit here pairs naturally with that museum in the city centre.
The practical side is easy. Enghave Plads metro station and Carlsberg train station are both within walking distance, and several bus lines stop nearby, so you do not need a taxi. If you drive, parking is available in the car parks in Carlsberg Byen. Service dogs with their owners are allowed inside, including the restaurant, but pets are not.
Allow the full ninety minutes for the exhibition, add time if you want to eat or linger over your drink, and book the tasting or the guided cellar tour on arrival if you want more than the entry ticket gives you.
Who it suits
Beer lovers, obviously, but also anyone interested in how an industrial company shaped a country. It is a good wet-weather choice, because almost everything is indoors, and a calm contrast to the crowds of the city centre. Families with older children can enjoy the exhibits, though the focus is on adults and beer, and non-drinkers are well looked after with a soft drink included instead. For a different angle on the same neighbourhood, combine the visit with a walk through Vesterbro afterwards.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided brewery museum in the original Carlsberg buildings, with the exhibition on brewing and Danish history, one drink included in the entry ticket and tastings and guided tours sold separately on site.
Best time
Any day; it is open daily in the daytime, and last admission is two hours before closing. A good choice for a grey or rainy afternoon.
How long
About an hour and a half for the exhibition, longer with a tasting or a meal.
Tips
Decide on the tasting or the guided cellar tour before you go. Take the metro to Enghave Plads. Look for the Elephant Gate in the grounds.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Beer lovers and anyone curious about how a brewery shaped Danish life and architecture.
- Families
- Fine for older children, with a soft drink included for non-drinkers, but the focus is on adults and beer.
- Couples
- A relaxed, different afternoon with a drink at the end, then dinner in Vesterbro.
- Pair with
- The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, a Vesterbro food or beer walk, or Tivoli in the evening.
- Time needed
- Half a day including travel; the visit itself is about 90 minutes.
Good questions
Where is Home of Carlsberg?+
At 11 Gamle Carlsberg Vej in the Carlsberg Byen district, a short walk from Enghave Plads metro station and Carlsberg train station.
What does the entry ticket include?+
Entry to the exhibition and one drink, alcoholic or non-alcoholic. A beer tasting and a guided tour are available on site as extras.
How long does the visit take?+
About an hour and a half for the exhibition. Last admission is two hours before closing, so arrive with time to spare.
Can I cancel or move my booking?+
Free cancellation and rescheduling are offered until 24 hours before the visit, so check your ticket terms when you book.
Is it open all week?+
Yes, it is open daily, but hours can change on holidays, so check when you book.
