What is natural beer?

When we use the term natural beer, we mean beers that…  

… are brewed with local, organic, seasonal produce, that we grow and harvest from the fields surrounding the brewery. 

… use as few additives as possible, no manipulation of flavours as well as full transparency in the process. 

… taste of the crops and fruits they’re brewed with, and whose ingredients can be traced down to the last grain. 

… allow for nature’s processes to unfold in their due time. To some extent, this includes the fermentation process, but additionally, it’s about which ingredients we use, and how we let our fruit trees and fields evolve in regard to biodiversity and organic processes. 

… nurture the flavours of the landscape –the  terroir — that surrounds us, giving you the chance to taste which fruits, greens and grains thrive in Herslev as the year turns. 

… are brewed respecting the plants and people that are part of our circle

 Is there a specific labelling for natural beer?

Contrary to organic and biodynamic farming, neither natural beer nor natural wine have a specific label.

By using the term “natural beer” as a part of our communication, we hope to raise awareness of…

… The origin of our beers’ ingredients. 

… How the ingredients were farmed and harvested. 

… How the ingredients reflect our surroundings and terroir in the flavours of the beer

… How our beers are produced

To us, the aim isn’t so much a specific labelling. The goal is to direct more people’s attention to nature and ingredients, and how producers and companies in general treat their surroundings. So when you go shopping, or go the bar or restaurant, you can identify the story of the product and see where you’re putting your money.

økologiske malt fra gårdbryggetiets biodynamiske marker

Is natural beer like natural wine? 

We share many values and ideas with natural winemakers, but natural beer is not the same thing. Of course, in essence, there’s a difference between brewing beer and making wine. Beer is brewed on malt, wine is from grapes, but both rely on farming, craftmanship and terroir. In many ways, the two understandings overlap (without any clear rules for either). Natural wine can be defined like this; the ingredients are farmed organically or biodynamically, the grapes are treated with respect (eg. they’re handpicked), no yeast is added (spontaneous fermentation), there’s no added sugar or acid, minimal filtration and clearing. Many of these elements can be transferred to how we brew beer. 

When we use the term “natural beer” we mean beers that are brewed…

… with local ingredients, in season, grown in our fields. 

… with as little manipulation and as few additives as possible, in a fully transparent process.

… with ingredients that “speak for themselves”, meaning their flavours are nurtured and intact in the final product, as well as traceable down to the last grain. 

…. allowing for nature’s processes to unfold organically. To some extent in the fermentation process, but also in regard to the biodiversity of our fields and fruit trees and soil. 

… nurturing the flavours of the landscape –the  terroir — that surrounds us, giving you the chance to taste which fruits, greens and grains thrive in Herslev as the year turns. 

© Herslev Bryghus – Naturøl –  What is natural beer? (craft brews from Herslev Bryghus)