Carlsberg UK rebrews 1883 lager with 134-year old yeast

Carlsberg UK is launching a taste of history with a rebrew of the world’s first quality lager, Carlsberg 1883, available exclusively in the on-trade until June.

Brewed in Denmark, Carlsberg 1883 is a Danish-style dark lager, full-bodied and rich in malt and caramel. It is brewed using Carlsberg’s original 134-year old yeast, commemorated by the Carlsberg Rebrew project.

Rebrew celebrated the identification of the first pure lager yeast strain, Saccharomyces Carlsbergensis, by Dr Emil Christian Hansen at the Carlsberg Laboratory in Copenhagen. Its development and subsequent sharing by J.C. Jacobsen led to modern brewing as we know it today, as the strain is still used in brewing all around the world.

Brewers at Carlsberg set about brewing a new beer, Carlsberg 1883, which respects the past but delivers a contemporary taste that appeals to a modern palette. The dark lager has a fresh aroma of malt, caramel and a sweet-biscuit body followed by a well-balance aftertaste, delivering on quality flavour and provenance.

Liam Newton, vice president of marketing for Carlsberg UK, commented, “We’re proud of the role Carlsberg has played in the history of brewing. Carlsberg 1883 celebrates the discovery of the purified yeast strain that was shared with brewers worldwide to secure the consistent qualities of beer, as we know it today.

“The beer market has changed dramatically in the past few years, let alone since 1883, so it is important that brewers like ourselves demonstrate the quality of our beers and the dedication of our brewers and ultimately help create reasons for beer drinkers to visit the pub.”