ÅBEN started off as a brewery, but today we are so much more than beers. It’s in our genes to experiment, evolve and always excel. We believe in creating experiences that bring people together.
The ÅBEN Mantra
The name ÅBEN derives from the Danish phrase ‘to be open’. Both the name and design originates from the vision of being open, symbolising the openness Philip as a founder experienced as a new brewery in the industry. The mantra of openness is fundamental for ÅBEN; from being open about our brewing process and the beers we produce to an openness towards creative partnerships and new ways of connecting people through beers. ÅBEN might have started off as a brewery, but today ÅBEN is so much more than beers. Through everything, we aim to connect people through inspiring and enriching experiences and establishing an ÅBEN community through new initiatives and physical locations.
Shared Experiences
The core of ÅBEN's existence is to bring people together through inspiring and enriching experiences. We aim to set new standards for quality craft beers and create holistic experiences that bring smiles and happiness to everyone involved.
Conscious Production
Applying a circular mindset and being mindful of the traces we leave on the environment is fundamental for ÅBEN. We always use the best, local ingredients available, and aim to recycle and reuse any byproducts whenever it is possible. Read more about ÅBENs production here.
Experimentation
For ÅBEN, experimenting is a means to stay progressive. It is part of our DNA to continuously experiment with a wide range of local ingredients, and challenge expectations through collabs and different ways of thinking craft beers in new settings.
The Beers
ÅBENs first beer, which has since turned into a signature beer, is called Bryg 61 (Brew 61), named after the number of attempts it took before getting the recipe exactly right. Today, ÅBEN produce 2-3 new beers every month which has led to a beer archive of more than 100 beers spanning wide from generously hopped IPA’s, and full-bodied imperial stouts to a wide selection of distinctive sours. As the brewery in Kolding has restricted capacity, most of the beers are seasonal beers sold in limited numbers within short time frames. In addition, we have a carefully selected collection of beers which is always part of the assortment and can be purchased through the webshop.
The Brewery
The brewery started in Kolding which over the years undergone many improvements and upgrades leading to 6 x 26 hl fermenters together with a brewhouse of 7 hl - making us able to produce around 150,000 liters of beer per year.
Today, the majority of the production takes place at the brewery in Copenhagen, where all equipment is set up by BrauKon. The brewery consists of 5 fully automatic brewhouses (20 hl / 2,000 liter) enabling a capacity of 11 brews pr day and around 3,6 million liters of wort a year. Including fermentation vessels, the new brewery is a 10 fold capacity upgrade compared to the brewery in Kolding. Come by the brewery and check it out.
Photo by Tipster
“You take four ingredients: water, malt, hops and yeast. It is as simple as that, and how it has been done for thousands of years. Despite that, we continue to develop and define new beer types. Beer is never just beer.
— Philip Hulgaard, Founder of ÅBEN
The Journey
ÅBEN was founded in 2017 by the childhood friends Philip Hulgaard and Johannes Karstoft. By turning Philip’s childhood farm in Kolding into a brewery, it started off as a hobby next to full time jobs, but has since turned into a passion and way of life. Today, the brewery is run entirely by Philip. After we opened our doors on June 9 2017, things have been moving fast. ÅBEN was named Brewery of The Year in 2019, and has since taken over a beer bar in Roskilde, opened an ÅBEN taproom in Aarhus, launched a summer pop up in the heart of Copenhagen named Bar of the Year by Politiken IBYEN in 2022, launched the electronic festival O / Day Fest at Refshaleøen in 2022 and opened a new brewery in Copenhagen. And there is much more to come for you to look forward to….
Join the journey and follow ÅBEN via Facebook and Instagram.