Written by You might recall my mentioning in a previous article the story of Isaac Jacobsen transporting a sample of pure yeast from Louis Pasteur’s laboratory in Paris to the brewery in Copenhagen. Legend has it that Jacobsen kept the precious sample alive by keeping it under his top hat!
This isn’t the only legend attributed to Carlsberg, it is said that the King of Denmark enjoyed Carlsberg with his meals; the classic Carlsberg glass still bears a golden crown in recognition of this. When the King visited England in 1924, he arranged for a case of Carlsberg to be delivered to the Indian restaurant ‘Veeraswamy’ in London’s West End in anticipation of his visit, thus cementing the close marriage between Lager and Curry that thrives to this day.
Elephant Beer is named for the four life sized stone elephants that grace one of the entrances to the Carlsberg brewery in Copenhagen. The elephants were carved in 1901 and each bears the initials of one of Carl Jacobsen’s children – Helge, Paula, Theodora, and Vagn. The elephants also bear the swastika, which Carlsberg registered as a trademark in 1901 – this was the golden age of trademarks, Bass had registered the red triangle, Benz the three pointed star (and incidentally the four pointed star which they never used). Carlsberg never really used the swastika, and it was dropped after some Germans started using it for non-beer related activities.
Elephant Beer was initially brewed as a ‘Special Export’ for the African market in 1955 and then sold in Europe in 1959. At 7.2% it’s one of the stronger mainstream lagers, but it still pales by comparison to Carlsberg’s Special Brew, supposedly brewed for Winston Churchill in 1950 to a full 9%. Some countries brew Elephant Beer under licence, but the stuff we get here in the UK hails from Copenhagen.
It pours well, producing a firm white head and a potent, hoppy nose.
The flavour is definitely malty, with those slight estery (nail varnish) hints that there’s some serious alcohol hiding away. Fortunately there’s no chance to dwell on that, because there’s a rush of hops that completely wipes anything unpleasant from your memory.
This is a well crafted and well balanced beer, in my opinion is the best of the Carlsberg brews, carefully walking the tightrope between flavour and potency.
But at 7% ABV it should still be treated with respect!
Rating: 
Have you tried Elephant Beer? What did you think?
Good story Bob! I’ve actually seen Elephant in my parts and I’ll give it a try sometime. Not rushing into it though, but someday.
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Sweaty Betty Blonde Wheat Beer =-.
I love hearing some history/background with a beer review…you guys always provide! I remember having this back when I was experimenting with exotic beers, and liked it a good deal. That was 6 years ago…I may have to pick one of these up this weekend!
.-= nate´s last blog ..Thinking Positively About/With Beer =-.
Excellent review with a bit of history thrown in. Quite possibly the best beer I’ve ever tasted. The only problem is, I haven’t seen it anywhere in the past twenty years! I wasn’t even sure they brewed it any more. If anyone in Norfolk knows of a regular supplier please let me know – I’d be eternally grateful.
Well if I recall correctly I bought mine in Waitrose, so you have a choice of several, Norwich, Saxmundham, Bury St Edmunds and Swaffham.
Personally I’d head for Norwich, some fine hostelries there as I recall.
.-= Bob the Brit´s last blog ..Blackpool =-.
great stuff, very refreshing. goes down very well, but you can forget the potency, drink with respect and care.
You state that, “Carlsberg never really used the swastika”. I want to inform you that you are wrong. I have a period glass beer bottle with the swastika on the porcelain cap and embeded glass bottom. It was on all there bottles and caps for a period of time.
@Gary P – that’s interesting actually. Any way you could get some pictures of your bottle? Just curious if you know how long it might have been used as a trademark? According to Bob’s post, it seems your bottle could be from 1901-1933?
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Do Beer Glasses Matter? =-.
Actually @Gary I said they “Carlsberg never really used the swastika” – what I was trying to imply was that it never became associated with Carlsberg as say, the three pointed star became associated with Mercedes Benz.
It certainly sounds like an interesting bottle.
That was my take on what you said too Bob. Its not like they put it on flags and company doodads or made it a part of their labeling scheme, but its still interesting that it appeared. Before it became associated with the wrong crowd, it was considered a symbol of good luck. I believe it can be found on many of the giant Buddha statues.
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Okells Manx Brewery – Two More Brews! =-.
Hi!
I`m just curious, how much would a bottle like the carlberg with porcelain cap and the swastika be worth? I just found one in the basement and your site came up as I was googling…
Ann, its interesting how that keeps popping up! If it were me, I’d start on Ebay and see if there is anything similar to it and how much its fetching.
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Sea Dog Blueberry Beer =-.
best beer I have ever had grace my mouth.
@Thom – Nicely stated!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..London Beer Tour – Borough Market =-.
We get Elephant here in Gainesville, FL (USA) through one local shop. I love the stuff. It’s hard to snatch it up because I’m not the only one who claims it as their favorite lager!
@Jerry – sounds like you are in good company then!
.-= Scott-TheBrewClub´s last blog ..Sam Adams Infinium – Did you try it =-.
I just picked up a bottle, intrigued that there was “another Carlsberg” available in my area. I’ve been an avid drinker of the original for a bit now, and I was looking for feedback on it before I popped the top. I’m anxious to finish this glass of mead now so I can try it!
So Ali, what did you think of it?
I think it killed him!
@moose – perhaps! Or, maybe he was so impressed with the beer it is beyond description!
I used to drink elephant in Malawi over 30 years ago. if you could manage 5 you were superman. Normally 2-3 was enough!
Bob the Brit IS Superman!
Modesty forbids… I don’t think I could manage 5… it’s an interesting challenge though!
I’m actually drinking one right now. Elephant beer and I have quite a history, as it was the beer i was drinking when i lost my license for drink driving.. My fault entirely- not the beer!! Just bought a case this arvo, after my normal tipple- tooheys extra dry platnuim @ 6.5 % was dropped to 5.2. (boo hoo)
I’m also embaressed to admit… that i drink a few more than the “superman” 5… lol
@aussie paul – thanks for checking in! Enjoy that elephant, just don’t go driving afterwards! Sounds like you might be super, superman!
Nope- this time- feet firmly planted on tera firma my friend!!- beautiful sunny spring day in oz.. time for another cold one!.. Must admit.. a very insightful review of the elephant beer, nice to have a bit of history behind the green glass! Cheers!
@aussie paul – good for you mate! Bob the Brit does do good work from time to time with his reviews. Check out the ‘Views from a Brit’ category if you want to read more of his work. Here’s a quick link…
http://thebrewclub.com/category/views-from-a-brit/
Cheers!
We have Elephant here in abundance in New Jersey. Ironically, the store owner offered me a free one to take and try since I was sampling different beers at the time. I thought Sam Adams was the tops until I tried the Elephant. Best beer I ever had. So good, I almost went back to the store to give the owner the money for it.
Description above was everything that I experienced in the beer. Great history too!!
The higher alcohol content didn’t affect me any more than the “standard” beers did.
@Ron – great story! See, there ARE good things in Jersey!