MBCC 2021

[Jay]

Hi everyone,

Well after a 20 month absence from airline travel it's almost time to dust off and pack them suitcases once again....a week today we fly out to Copenhagen for Mikkeller's beer festival (MBCC) a beer festival that's been postponed three times since 2020.

I'm in no doubt that things will still be a little "out of the norm" but we're both super excited to finally be returning to something resembling normality....a return to happier times and making happy memories.

I'll of course be reporting back, a report no doubt filled with some great beers.

Cheers
Jay 🍻👍🏻

[Trappist]

Well Jay, if that isn't some wonderful perspective 
With that name Mikkelller you can be assured to have a load of truely excellent beers !! Barel aged too ofcourse !! You'll LOVE it.
Already waiting for the report Jay 
Have a great trip to Copenhagen 
Cheers,
Filip

[John B]

Enjoy your time at the festival Jay. I can't help but wonder though which breweries will or will not be in attendance when the gates finally open. As of right now there were 126 breweries originally slated to be there, but 46 of them have since dropped out due to the sexual misconduct allegations against Mikkeller, and the list keeps growing (just a few days ago the number of dropouts was at 22). It will be interesting to hear about your experiences there, and if Mikkeller somehow addresses the issues facing them.

Whatever the case, I hope it will be a very enjoyable experience for you both and many excellence beers will be tasted.

Cheers! - John

[Jay]

Hi John,

After waiting almost 2 years the news of these allegations couldn't have come at a worse time (we're now just 4 days away from travelling) and with so many UK and American breweries pulling out it looked at one point like the fate of the festival hung in the balance.

But I'm friends with a guy on Facebook (Tony Trondhjem Sørensen) and he says that even though the brewers have pulled out and won't be attending in person their beers will still be available only they'll be served by the volunteers (Tony being one) rather than the brewer themselves (as at other stands)

The festival itself only takes up 4 hours of our 4 day trip (we have green tickets for Saturday 4pm - 8pm) so there'll be plenty more to see and do on our mini break to Copenhagen.

Mikkeller put a statement out yesterday and in it they said that  people can receive a full refund if they decide not to attend (something they never offered all through Covid) they also said that despite the struggles they intended to make this the best festival yet with them sharing some rare beers from their cellars as a thank you to those still visiting.

Whatever happens it will like you say be a very enjoyable experience, one I'll report back on.

Cheers
Jay 

[John B]

Thanks for the update Jay. I know you and Linda will have an awesome time. 

Cheers mate! - John

[Trappist]

Whatever happens it will like you say be a very enjoyable experience, one I'll report back on.

Hi Jay and John,
It sure will be a very enjoyable experience. Too bad about the allegations though. What is happening with this world ?? So much hatred and intoleration going on these days 
Anyway, cheers,
Filip

[Jay]

Hi everyone,

Another update today, Mikkeller are giving all ticket holders 25% discount off all beer bought in their bars, also 25% on all bottles bought from bars and bottle shops and the same on all merchandise and food (both at the festival and bars)

Looks like they're sticking true to their word and trying to make this the best Festival yet.

Cheers
Jay 

[Jay]

Hi everyone,

Back safe and sound from what was easily our most memorable, happy AND BEERY trip yet to Copenhagen.

Will get a report up soon.

Cheers
Jay 

[John B]

Great to hear Jay. Sounds like it was one of those trips you'll never forget.

Cheers mate! - John

[Trappist]

Hi Jay,
Glad you survived that amazing beery trip.
I've already seen een alot of pictures on FB, and from what I can feel, this indeed must've been a truely fantastic memorable trip!!!!

Cheers,
Filip

[Jay]

Hi everyone,

Well that was some weekend, without a doubt our favourite trip (yet) to Copenhagen.
We stayed as before at the Amundsen Hotel, one of our favourite hotels we've stayed anywhere (this is up there with LOFT in Bratislava and The Icon in Prague) it's so perfectly situated, bars like Mikkeller, Warpigs and Formentor are no more than a 10 minute walk away.



View from Hotel room, Warpigs is just 2 minutes further at the top of the road on the right.




Now beer and bars, with bags dropped off and seeing it was 10pm we just had to walk to Warpigs, this is Mikkeller BBQ bar with American brewery Three Floyds, it's housed in an old abattoir in the old meat packing area.
We entered a packed bar with every interior seat taken, so Linda stood in line for the bar whilst I had a walk to the bar to see if I could plum lucky...but alas no, so walked back to join Linda.
Then luck of luck, just as I got there a couple gestured they were leaving so quickly and with many thank you"s I took their seats.






Moments later Linda returned with our first drinks, mine a Smoldering Holes BBA (a stunning 11.9% Bourbon barrel aged Imperial Stout) I also noticed that she also had a stamp on her hand, this it turns out is a stamp that allows you 25% discount on all beer and food (upon showing them your ticket confirmation)






Beers consumed, more ordered. This time two IPA`s only this time I went to the bar and earned my very own stamp, beers ordered were a Warpigs Big Drunk Baby (9% DIPA) and a Warpigs Lazurites (7%IPA)

 




Just time for one last beer and for me it was Sky Burial (11.3% Barley Wine) and it was whilst in line that I happed to be stood behind Mr Kees Bubberman (of Kees brewery) and my that guy is huge BUT so welcoming, whilst waiting in line we chatted about the festival (which he had beer at) and also his beers that I'd sampled (and very much enjoyed) so nice to take time out and chat to people.





So with beers consumed we happily made the short journey back to our hotel.


DAY 2

After a wonderful continental breakfast (including a super fresh Danish pastry...or two) we had a leisurely walk into the centre of town and decided to give Tivoli Gardens a visit, this is one of Copenhagens biggest tourist attractions and one we've very nearly visited on previous visits and so seeing as we were stood outside the mighty gates 10 minutes before opening we thought why not, also they had just decorated the park in a Hallowe'en theme.
*Tivoli Gardens is the place Walt Disney visited and was so in awe that on his return to America he built Disneyland*

 






After an enjoyable couple of hours Linda suggested that we visit the Torvehallerne market for some food (and maybe more) so a quick 10 minute taxi ride away and we were there, our first port of call was Tapa Del Toro Spanish Tapas bar...tapas and San Miguel promptly ordered.

 








Bellies beautifully filled a wonder around the market lead us to the Mikkeller and Friends Bottle Shop stand. Here I picked up some special Mikkeller and Fremont beers (again with 25% discount) more stalls were visited before stopping off at Hallernes Smorrebrod.




A taxi back to our hotel for coffee and to drop off shopping we decided to make the short 5 minute walk to the Mikkeller bar on Viktoriagade.

Ten Hand Darkness (13% Imperial Stout aged in Mead barrel) lovely and warming with a spirits edge.



Mikkeller Night King (8% NEIPA) and Stolen Red Berries (4.5% fruited sour)




As it was getting late we decided to give Warpigs another visit, this time for food.



Warpigs famous BBQ including the burnt end beans I just love





Warpigs Death wings, waaaaay too hot for me....Linda said "yeah they're spicy" 




Well that's the first two days taken care of, the festival and our last day to follow.

Cheers
Jay   

 

[Trappist]

Hi Jay,
What a wonderful welcome card (incl chocolates) you got there. It's the details that count.
Amundsen hotel is on our list now. If we ever go to Copenhagen ofcourse.
Good to hear that everything was so well succeeded.
For us, the trip will be different as we head for one week to the Netherlands next Sunday.
Can't wait !!!
Cheers,
Filip

[John B]

Thanks for your report Jay! That barbecue looks mighty tempting, the beers as well. I'm looking forward to your next report. It sounds like your entire trip went even better than hoped for.

Cheers! - John

[Jay]

Cheers Guys  here then is pt 2

Day of the festival....however, seeing as we had tickets for the final session (4-8pm) we decided to pay a visit to the colourful and picturesque Nyhavn area of town, a much photographed 17th century waterfront and just a 10 minute taxi ride away.




After a good half hour strolling around the multicoloured townhouses we ventured further afield and set upon visiting the Kastellet area near the harbour to see the little mermaid. A leisurely 15 minutes through the beautiful cobbled backstreets (lined with imposing houses) and we were at  the entrance...namely St Albans Church.



This is an open park area and is filled with families, couples (and lots of joggers) many here for one reason....



I'll have to admit I wasn't quite sure what to expect size wise, something the next step up from the Manneken Pis maybe? The mermaid however is life size (as life size as a mermaid can be  )

Whilst walking back to the Nyhavn area we walked past an innocent looking downstairs corner shop so decided to pop in for bottled water and snacks for the festival but ended up buying so much more, it just shows how an innocent looking shop can hold hidden treasures.




Time to head back because it was....FESTIVAL TIME 

Mikkeller had stated that wristbands could be picked up anytime on the day of your session so seeing as it had gone 2pm we decided to visit the festival site and pick them up.
Upon walking through the outside erected tents we found the pick up point and were told we could enter the visitor tents and buy food and beer and wait until the 4pm session (saves us leaving only to return) so with wristbands in place and festival glasses in hand we walked around the food stalls before settling on Johns Hotdog Deli for the most delicious hotdog and a bottle of Mikkeller hot sauce to bring home.










The time was now 3.15PM so best get in line, so just yards away from the barriers we eagerly awaited. Slowly and surely the crowd grew and grew, occasionally people would cut through (these were gold band wearers and brewers) the brewers entering the festival whilst gold band wearers joined their own queue in front of ours - at 3.45pm they were let in (to much cheering) nearly our time.

4pm and the festival opened for its 4th and final session - inside is a large one room building with the brewers and stalls housed in the centre at 4 large islands.
Surrounding the stalls were long tables and benches so finding a seat was never a problem (you could also sit outside)



Time for my first festival beer and seeing as we were close to Fremont I decided to give them a try, they only had the one beer for this session but the line of people eager to try suggested it was something special....and it was.

Fremont #4000 12.7% Barley Wine - everything a Barley Wine should be, sweet (but not overly so) with loads of boiled toffees, raisin, rich malts, bitter almost resinous finish.




Linda's first was a raspberry and cherry fruited sour - tasted amazing, loads of fresh berries with a tart berry sharpness.




Tastings are only 5cl and mostly from tap but this makes serving quick efficient, so even the longest queues are no problem (also allows you to sample more beers  )

On with beer No2 and I decided to go lower ABV and try something blonde so again picked a brewery I'd never tried before, this time Crooked Moon from Denmark and their Death by Pineapple (6% Pineapple IPA) my this was pure pineapple juice in a glass...heavenly stuff.

 


Next beer, and there was one brewery that I was very eager to try and that was Voodoo from Pennsylvania a brewery famous for their ManBearPig beer (a barrel aged Imperial Stout that sells for over $500) so a barrel aged Imperial Stout it had to be.

Voodoo Hot Garbage - Barrel Aged Series (12.4% Imperial Stout aged for 26 months in Cognac barrels) one word....STUNNING.





Whilst enjoying my Voodoo we got chatting to a bloke from Wisconsin, talking about the festival and BEER  we both said what beers we were having and he was sampling something I'd never had before, a Mead.
He said it was from Superstition and more than that it was from their  Berry White series, a super limited release of berry flavoured Meads with the white part being white chocolate with a different berry being used, the one he was trying was Blue Berry White. He also said just how difficult these "beers" are to come by (even in the States) and that they sell for $80+ a bottle.....I know what my next sample is.

Blue Berry White (13.5% Blueberry and White Chocolate Mead) my this was sweet, but the blueberry sharpness cut through and the white chocolate on the finish was mind blowing.

 




Now I love Nirvana, so a beer based around their groundbreaking album Nevermind was my next obvious choice.

Mikerphone Smells Like Birthday Suit Spirit (14.8% Imperial Stout aged for 13 months in Heaven Hill Bourbon barrels) bourbon, whiskey, cocoa, leather, tobacco....total Nirvana.






Many more beers were consumed but I'll post just a couple more, mine was from Great Notion - Sasquatch Tracks (11.2% Almond, Chocolate, Vanilla and Marshmallow Imperial Stout) this was just divine, easily one of the best smelling (and tasting) beers of our whole trip. One last from Linda and we couldn't leave without trying a Belgian Tripel - from Sweden Eskilstuna Tripel (8% Belgian Tripel) absolutely bang on Tripel, full of that yeasty, spicy, citrus we know and love.





So there you have it, our first visit to MBCC and what a visit. So many special beers sampled at a perfectly executed beer festival...loads of room to walk around, plenty of seating, friendly people attending who were happy to sit down and chat beer, warm and welcoming brewers.
We're both still in awe and delighted that the festival lived up to our high expectations, a festival we will no doubt be revisiting.



Our final day to follow...

Cheers,
Jay     

[John B]

Another great report Jay! It looks like the festival was well attended and had plenty of amazing beers to try. I don't know how you do it, sure the tasting samples were on the small side, but still, many of them were quite strong. I probably would have passed out at some point, lol.   

Cheers! - John