Carlsberg 47

Brewed by Carlsberg Brewery
Style: Dunkler Bock
Copenhagen, Denmark

Serve in Dimpled mug, Snifter

pours a clear golden-amber colour; almost no foam remaining; aroma of fruit candy (strawberry, apricot); very sweet and medium-bodied, no bitterness; strange bubblegum aftertaste of licorice and anise, the whole thing packed in some aggressive dryness - this beer really does not work for me

It’s hard to forgive Carlsberg for that excruciating "Probably the best beer in the world" marketing campaign (aye, and my granny played centre forward for Kilmarnock). Yet they have a gift rare among multinational macro producers of brewing outstanding beers alongside the dross. This thickly alcoholic Vienna probably isn’t the best beer in the world, but few macros produce anything this good. It’s a clear, bright amber with a thick, creamy head. No lace but good length. The aroma is dominated by caramel malt, as you’d expect with the style. It’s sweet and toffee-like, with some grassiness. Beautifully smooth mouthfeel, quite creamy and rich. On the tongue, it’s sweet and toffee-like initially, with some milk chocolate and a long, late alcoholic burn that can be felt right down in the stomach lining. It has the same brutal finishing kick as their Special Brew, but carries it off with more finesse. (33cl bottle, bb 28/3/06, Trade with Papsoe - thanks Henrik!)

Vienna Lager is a truly delicious beer style that celebrates the flavors and aromas of malt. This beer style is quite similar to marzen, but with less sweet maltiness and toasty character than that style. Vienna Lagers have a much drier, grainy malt character. I have had a few domestic examples of this style, but this by far, is the best example of Vienna Lager I have ever tasted. This beer is so good, after finishing one, you can not help but reach for another. Carlesberg 47 pours to a beautiful, brilliant, amber color with a foamy white head that fades, and a moderate amount of carbonation. The nose on this beer is awesome. Grainy aromas of pilnser malt marry with an underpinning of caramel malt sweetness, and grassy hop aromas. The palate is very firm on this beer, with a solid base of pilnser and caramel malt flavors paired with delicious nutty flavors. This beer is crisp and clean on the tongue, with an incredibly smooth body. Carlesberg 47 finishes with more outstanding malt character up front, then ends with a slighty herbal/grassy hop bitterness that balances this beer to perfection. This is a phenomenal example of Vienna Lager, and a true gem of a beer. Beers like this are not easy to brew, there is no room for error, no defect can be hidden behind fruity esters, or a blare of hop bitterness. C47 is a solid and clean lager, and without question one of Carlesberg’s best products

Bottle. The best Christmas brew from any of the big breweries in Denmark. Dark copper with small white head. Caramel and alcohol in the aroma. Good smooth texture in the mouth with unusually pleasant Co2 for a macrobrew. Spicy flavor with caramel, bread and sugar. Finishes bitter with some slight metal.

Bottle. Medium white head. Not much christmas about this beer and a bit too alcoholic. Nice moutfeel though.

Amber colour with a medium white head. Aroma of malt and spices. Good taste, but a bit to alcoholic after taste.

Bottle. Creamy white good head. Fully lasting. Wonderfull dark amber colour. No aroma, Nice flavour with caramel and alcohol. God finish, and nice soft carbonated

33 cl bottle. No yeast in bottom. Amber colour with a nice white head. A metalic aroma, not very pleasant, also a very sweet malty nose with notes of alcohol. Bitter and little dry finish. A very malty and simple dull christmasbeer.