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Carlsberg Master Brew

Carlsberg
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🌍 Denmark · Strong Lager · One of 31 Strong Lagers in hopIQ

Master Brew was launched in 1996 as a strong special brew from Carlsberg, made with a portion of glucose syrup alongside barley malt to reach its strength. It pours a clear reddish gold with an ivory head and opens with a light floral nose backed by ripe pineapple, apple and strawberry. The palate is full and sweet, with nutty malt and fruit, and a well-balanced bitterness steadies the sweetness. The high alcohol is noticeable as warmth throughout.

ABV
10.5%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Malt-forward bitterness
SRM
deep amber15
How it drinks· Its pace, balance and relationship to the style.
Pace
sessionsipper
Balance
malt-ledhop-led
Style expression
textbookdistinctive
Where this beer sits· Four axes, the same for every beer in hopIQ.
Body
Full body.
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
Gently sweet notes.
drysweet
Bitterness
Soft bitterness.
mildbitter
Texture
Somewhat creamy mouthfeel.
crispcreamy

The weight carries the beer on its own, leaving the aromatics free to lead.

Character· What makes this beer itself — not just another Strong Lager.
Hop character
floral
Malt character
nutty
malty
Fermentation & yeast
fruity

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Carlsberg Master Brew

◎ Appearance

Pours a clear reddish gold with bright transparency and excellent clarity. The ivory head sits with good density and displays stable lacing down the glass. Carbonation appears moderate and well-integrated.

reddish goldclearivory headfine lacing

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with delicate floral notes supported by ripe stone fruit—prominent pineapple and apple with a subtle strawberry undertone. The barley malt provides a soft, sweet foundation without any aggressive yeast or solvent character. Light grain sweetness rounds out the bouquet.

floralripe pineapple and applesubtle strawberrysoft malt sweetness

◐ Taste

The palate is full and sweet on entry, with nutty malt character and fruit notes continuing through the mid-palate. A well-calibrated bitterness emerges to steady the sweetness and prevent cloying. The high alcohol registers as gentle warmth rather than harsh burn, creating a rounded mouthfeel.

full-bodiedsweetnutty maltbalanced bitterness

◑ Finish

The finish is moderately long with lingering sweetness and a subtle warm aftertaste. Mild drying bitterness persists gently without dominating.

moderate lengthwarm alcohol presence
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
80
Taste
79
Appearance
82
Finish
74
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Serve & Enjoy

How to get the most out of Carlsberg Master Brew

Serve at 4–7°C
Refrigerate, then rest 2 min

Serve at 4–7°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Stein
Recommended for this style

The sturdy German stein maintains temperature and keeps carbonation intact. Built for long, convivial drinking.

Store in a cool, dark place. Check the best-before date on the label for guidance.

Food Pairing

What to eat with Carlsberg Master Brew

About Strong Lager

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Strong Lager?

Strong Lager is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Strong Lager

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same fruity, sweet, nutty character as Carlsberg Master Brew will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Other Strong Lagers in hopIQ

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