The Latin word "Initium" signifies the concept of beginnings. This beer symbolically marks Carlsberg’s founding in 1847 and commemorates the grand reopening of the Home of Carlsberg. This is our home - where we, the Carlsberg Family, have been brewing beer since 1847 and where our burning desire to support and share the finest within science, art, and culture was born and lives on today. What better way to mark the renaissance of our exhibition than by brewing the original dark lager of Carlsberg's founding father, J.C. Jacobsen?

Head Brewer Chris Thurgeson combed Carlsberg's legendary archives of brewing records to reconstruct a dark lager recipe from when J.C. Jacobsen still supervised the brewing himself and even picked a strain of yeast with direct ties to the world’s very first purified lager yeast. However, coming from England, a country with strong traditions of making barley wines for special occasions, Chris couldn't resist increasing the volume of malts to make the beer more robust and full-bodied  perfect for vintage keeping. The outcome is a rich, chestnut-coloured lager beer with an inherent potential to develop sherry and port-like flavours over time. Whether you choose to savour it today or set it aside for future celebrations, this beer embodies the spirit of sharing and togetherness.