Anarkist Brown Ale
Royal Unibrew A/S

Let's have a little clarification first. Anarkist is a brew line of Theodore Schiotz Brewing, a local crafter here in Copenhagen. They are a subsidiary of Royal Unibrew. Royal Unibrew, a big-time beverage brand beverage manager that has two basic strategies. First and like most brand managers, they are squeezing the macro-brewing market, both from buying crafters (like Schiotz) and by marketing really well other types of beverages (seltzers, fruties, etc.) that also are squeezing the macros, but now also may be contributing to the craft market growing much slower.

Royal Unibrew's second strategy is to do this sustainability. Their website has all sorts of neat graphs about how they are reducing emissions, etc. That's all good, particularly since they partner with the big Boys like Heineken and teach them better how to be sustainable. While I am still a traditionalist (brewing first must be well-crafted), sustainability is an important second since that will keep the planet healthy so we can drink more beer.

As for this Brown, Anarkist Looked only slightly above average. Smells were better, mostly malt. Tastes were balanced for an American Brown until the end, but then the hops pushed beyond balance. Medium-mouthed to me. Had on tap. Would again. Thoughtfully crafted.

January 2020: 500 ml bottle, from SPAR Hirtshals. ABV is 6.3%, 25 IBU. Reddish brown colour, large off-white head. Aroma of lightly toasted malts, caramel and bakery. Medium sweet flavour, notes of malts, caramel and brown bread. Very moderate hops.

Brown color. Clear. Small and lasting head some smaller streaks remain on the glass.

Dark Baker’s chocolate aroma with some black patent “coffee” in the background. Closer to a darker Porter than a Brown Ale.

The flavor is parallel to the smell but perhaps a bit mellower. The body is appropriate for a Brown Ale, but thin for a Porter. Good carbonation. There’s some hazelnut showing up in the swallow. The aftertaste features the bitterness and chocolate flavors of the dark malts.