Introduction

One of the world’s most famous gypsy brewers, Denmark’s Mikkel Borg Bjergsø has finally opened his own brewery – in San Diego. Up until very recently, Mikkel brewed his Mikkeller beers in a series of borrowed breweries. He reconsidered these vagabond ways when he learned that San Diego’s AleSmith was leaving its home for a larger facility. A distance runner, Bjergsø loves to compete and hates to fall short. When an early coffee stout he brewed disappointed him, Bjergsø sent an email to the brewery behind one of his favourite beers, AleSmith’s Speedway Stout. When Peter Zien, AleSmith’s owner, shared some tips, a friendship and a best-selling beer were both born. That beer became Beer Geek Breakfast, probably Mikkeller’s most famous beer. That relationship with AleSmith hit it’s pinnacle when Mikkeller took over their former space to finally open a brewery of his own.

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How it looks

Pours black with three fingers of caramel-coloured foamy head. Streams of slowly rising bubbles in the glass and relatively little lacing upon disappearance of head.

How it smells

The aroma of this beer is punchy with an immediate assault of pine, dankness and a leafy hop profile. Smells of roasted coffee, semi-sweet chocolate and toasty, biscuit malt add to the depth.

How it tastes

This beer tastes of dark roasted coffee, floral, bitter and piney hops and some dark chocolate coming through. Mouthfeel is medium and nice and smooth with lovely fine, active carbonation.

Recommended food pairing

This beer pairs well with desserts such as tiramisu or anything made with bittersweet chocolate. It is also amazing with chilli rellano where the coffee cuts the spice and the hops help augment it.

Mikkeller Hop Geek Tasting Card