If there’s a world recession in progress, then someone forgot to tell Carlsberg about it. While many companies are slashing prices, the Danish brewer has unveiled the world’s most expensive beer. Priced at 2008DKK (approx USD$350), the Jacobsen Vintage No. 1 is a limited edition brew for any beer drinkers who still feel like splashing out.

The beer is a 10.5% ABV Barley wine and is mostly targeted at up-scale restaurants in Copenhagen, Denmark. Perhaps Carlsberg have hit upon the hard-up financial sector workers who can no longer spend $3000 on a bottle of champagne, but will happily downgrade to a $350 bottle of beer.

Beer is usually one of the products that sees an increase in sales during economic recessions; it’s not known if this behavior is limited to low-priced beers or all categories. Just 600 bottles of the Jacobsen Vintage No. 1 have been brewed, so only the lucky/rich few will have a chance to enjoy it.

Cast your mind back to the affluent days of the mid-2000s and read on for more details on this unique product…

What does it taste like?

According to Carlsberg, the beer undergoes an intensive, meticulous brewing process, resulting in a unique flavor:

The beer has flavours of vanilla, smoke, caramel and port from maturing on Swedish or French Cote dór oak casks. The bitterness is soft and intriguing .

Once you’ve savored the taste of this beer, there’s an added bonus of the label to admire. It’s a custom print by Danish artist Frans Kannik, depicting fables of Sif (who was married to the Nordic god Thor). If you’re very careful when peeling the label off, you could frame it and you’ll have an instant, limited edition artwork for your wall.

What’s it worth?

Before you rush out and place an order on this limited edition beer, we thought you might like to know what else you could spend you money on.

1 bottle of Jacobsen Vintage No. 1 is the same price as…

480 cans of Bud Light

280 bottles of Sam Adams

233 bottles of Leffe

13 shares in the Carlsberg Group on the Danish stock exchange

1 night’s accommodation in the SAS Royal Hotel Copenhagen plus 2 pints of Carlsberg beer on draft

Would you spend $350 on a bottle of beer? What beer are you spending your money on during the recession?

If you manage to sample the Jacobsen Vintage No. 1, please leave a comment and let us know if it was worth the price!



