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Holger Danske

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Smoky and malty: a robust smoked brown ale at 7%, with part of the malt smoked by hand on site. Holger Danske was first brewed in 2010 with Anders Kissmeyer, and the brewery still brews it in the spirit of that first brew day. The name belongs to a legendary Danish hero, one of Charlemagne's knights in the Chanson de Roland and an inspiration for Denmark's resistance in World War II.

ABV
7%
Bitterness
Lightly bitter
Roasted bitterness
SRM
deep amber20
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
smokymaltyroasted
smoky
malty
roasted
toasty
nutty
caramel
Aroma
Smoke dominates the nose with substantial presence—a hand-smoked character that speaks to the brewery's on-site malt preparation.
also:bready
not found:hoppy,chocolate,fruity,spicy

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Holger Danske

◎ Appearance

Deep mahogany brown with copper highlights, displaying excellent clarity beneath a dense, tan head that clings persistently to the glass. Carbonation is moderate and even, supporting fine lacing that traces the sides with each sip.

deep mahoganycopper highlightspersistent headfine lacing

◌ Aroma

Smoke dominates the nose with substantial presence—a hand-smoked character that speaks to the brewery's on-site malt preparation. Beneath lies a foundation of roasted grains and subtle nuttiness, with caramel sweetness emerging as the beer warms, and a touch of toasted bread that grounds the profile.

prominent smokeroasted grainscaramel sweetnesstoasted bread

◐ Taste

Entry is full and malty with immediate smoke flavor that integrates seamlessly with deep roasted notes. The mid-palate develops a pleasing bready character and subtle nut notes, while moderate bitterness (24 IBU) provides balance without aggression. The finish remains rich and smooth, with smoke lingering gently into the aftertaste.

full-bodiedintegrated smokemoderate bitternesssmooth finish

◑ Finish

Long and warming, with smoke and roasted malt persisting through the aftertaste. The beer leaves the palate clean but never dry, maintaining its robust character to the final moment.

extended finishwarmingpersistent smoke
85
hopIQ score
Aroma
88
Taste
86
Appearance
84
Finish
82
Serve at 10–13°C

Serve at 10–13°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Pint glass

The classic — versatile, comfortable to hold and keeps the beer cool. No frills, no distractions: just the beer.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Holger Danske

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About Brown Ale

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Brown Ale?

Brown Ale 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 Brown Ale

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same smoky, malty, roasted character as Holger Danske will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

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