Harpoon Brewery Welcomes Danish Brewers to Celebrate Brewing Tradition and Friendship

Boston, MA – On February 22nd brewers from the Refsvindinge Brewery of Denmark will arrive at the Harpoon Brewery to celebrate a beer they helped brew from over 3,000 miles away.  The Harpoon 100 Barrel Series Refsvindinge Private Stock Danish Farmhouse Ale is the 18th installment of Harpoon’s limited edition line of beers.

The story of Harpoon’s Refsvindinge Private Stock began back in April of 2005.  Each year Harpoon co-founders Rich Doyle and Dan Kenary take brewery employees celebrating their 5th anniversary on a weeklong overseas beer culture trip.  During these trips, the Harpoon group is taken on special tours of breweries throughout various regions of Europe.  One of the breweries on the 2005 trip itinerary was the Refsvindinge Brewery, a farmhouse brewery located on a picturesque island west of Copenhagen.

The Refsvindinge Brewery is home to John Rasmussen, a fourth generation brewer, and his family.  The Rasmussen family opened their brewery and their home to the Harpoon group – which included Harpoon’s Master Brewer Al Marzi and President Dan Kenary – and treated them not only to a vast array of their fine beers, but also to some wonderful local food. Harpoon employees were given a personal and in-depth tour of the brewery, including a rare peak at the kiln where John smokes his own malt. 

The day at the farmhouse proved to be one of the highlights of the Harpoon beer culture trips.  “When we returned to the States we wanted to find a way to express our appreciation to John and his family,” says Marzi.  “We decided to brew a special batch of beer as part of our 100 Barrel Series in tribute to the family.” 

Marzi consulted with John on the ingredients.  Together they worked out a recipe in keeping with the farmhouse traditions, while also adding an American twist. The Refsvindinge Private Stock is brewed with half European malt and half American malt producing a full-bodied beer that is complex without being heavy. The beer was fermented with Harpoon’s own house yeast and cold conditioned for a month. The ale was then dry hopped with Continental hops that provide a mild, slightly spicy aroma. The ale is 7.8% alcohol by volume, guaranteeing some warmth to help get through the cold New England winters.  It will be available in specialty stores throughout New England.

John Rasmussen and his family will be the guests of honor at two Harpoon celebrations, one at the Windsor brewery and one at the Boston brewery. 

“We are thrilled that they have come all this way to join us at our brewery to celebrate the beer with us!” Marzi adds.