Okay folks, here we go...
MBCC 2026 kicks off as we land into a rather overcast Copenhagen at around 3pm and after a quick train journey from the airport into the centre of town.
Exiting we made the 5 minute walk to our hotel The Anderson, it's such a conveniently located boutique place, it's no wonder we stay at this or it's sister hotel The Absalon.
After checking in we ventured out and headed towards our first bar and no surprises it was the one and only Warpigs.
Turning the corner into the main open area of the meat packing district the outdoor seating area was absolutely filled (there's a festival in town) but luckily inside was a little calmer.
With Linda grabbing a seat I went to the bar and as luck would have it one of Linda's favourite Warpigs beers Big Drunk Baby was on tap so that's what I ordered along with a Mutant Mosh Pit IPA for myself
Whilst ordering I noticed a fridge filled with Warpigs bans and amongst them was Big Drunk Baby, so dropping off our beers I headed back to buy a couple but was stopped half way when I bumped into our friend Kev (who runs the fantastic Manchester bar Joule along with his wife Kymmene) cans bought we all sat, catching up and exchanging plans.
Fist plan was to head to nearby Kihosk for an Omnipollo tap takeover and bottle release so the 4 of us headed out on our first true taste of MBCC 2026
One special beer that was released was Omnipollo Brewers Reserve Cake Coconut Vanilla Squeeze - a 15% Coconut and Vanilla Imperial Stout that after brewing was left in the tank for weeks to squeeze every drop of flavour from the adjuncts AND the only barrel available outside the brewery...wowser WHAT a beer, stunningly thick and sweet and so full of real coconut and vanilla.
Standing outside with Kev and Kymm (and about 100+ other people) we were introduced to the guy from Marlobobo, to whom I spoke of my new found love of his Meads. That's one of the things (amongst many) that I love about MBCC, the brewers are happy to rub shoulders with beer fans and chat with them about...beers.
Saying out goodbyes for the day and plans made to meet up again we made our way across town towards the Latin Quarter, a fabulous corner of Copenhagen that's filled with funky coffee shops, bakeries, thrift stores and bars.
Our first stop off was the one and only Peders, a tiny cellar bar that attracts throngs of beer lovers with its jaw dropping tap list and bottle releases.
My pick was Barrel Aged Maul from Fabled Works - a 15.3% Imperial Stout with coconut, caramel and pretzels aged 31 months in Bourbon barrels...jeez this was absolutely the best beer of the day
Moving on a towards a new (to us) bar - Bar Gødt, a modern Danish bar that was filled with a younger crowd, none of the older beer fanatics frequenting Peders but it still had 12 beers on tap and fridges filled with beer
My choice was the house beer Deep Sip IPA - a 4.9% Hazy Session IPA, after two heavy adjunct Imperial Stouts this was most welcome
After picking a special barrel aged Imperial Stout to bring home we made our way around the corner to the final bar for the day Godt Øl and the similarities between the two was easy to see, both had that wood panelling and were dimly lit look with Godt Øl having a better tap list.
Here we sat at talked about what a wonderful first day it had been...this as it turns out is just a taster
Copenhagen Day 2
Today folks would Sweden day, a trip out to Malmö 🇸🇪
Catching the 10.30am train from Copenhagen Central Station we made our way across the mightily impressive Øresund Bridge and before 11am we were stood in Sweden.
Normally we head towards the centre of town however this year we (or rather Linda) had a plan.
So we set off past the Knotted Gun Statue and onwards to the Malmö Saluhall, a food market housed in a refurbished 1800's warehouse.
This place was filled with various food stalls - the sights and smells were mouthwatering...freshly baked bread, roasted coffee beans, sweet pastries, food chargrilling 🤤
Our choice was St Jakobs St Enugnsbageri for a true Swedish Fika moment in the form of Kardemumma Bulle (cardamom bun) and Cappuccino - this is what I love about trying the true form of local food (not a watered down version for our UK tastebuds) whether it be Cardamom or Cinnamon they aren't shy with it, if you're going to use an ingredient then do it justice.
This pillowy soft bun was jam packed with aromatic sweet cardamom, the coffee hit the spot as well.
Onwards towards the centre of town to do some Swedish food and beer shopping, and so after picking up mustard, remoulade, spices and some fantastic beers it was food time and Linda already had this covered.
We headed to the Kanaltrappen, a tiered seating area located along Malmö Canal at Sodertull and it's filled with cafes, restaurants and coffee bars - it's also where you'll see the bronze cat sculptures by artist Ulla Kraitz (built to keep lonely people company).
You can also see the bronze shoes on Davidshalls Bridge, bronze sculptures of shoes that once belonged to local personalities with one shoe pointing to the area of town that they were most associated with.
Now back to food and a brewery we've visited before - Hyllie, but here we have their taproom and restaurant Bärstronomi.
They were just opening and we were in time for their special lunchtime menu, our choice was the best Schnitzel we've had anywhere, served with roast potatoes with caraway and dill and warm pickled cabbage...completely delicious and coupled with a wonderful IPA aptly named Malmö I Love You.
After that wonderful lunch we decided on a sweet but in beer form - Linda choosing a Dreamers Destination, a 5% Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Swirl. My was a pure chocolate cookie smoothie, so thick and creamy.
My choice a Hyllie 10th Anniversary Barrel Aged Imperial Stout, what a finish to a great lunchtime.
After exploring more of this area we popped into another new (to us) bar - Syltan, a small bar that was beautifully decorated with dark wooden panelling, a proper hidden gem.
First off We Sing at Six and a Half - 6.5% NEIPA and Theory of Chaos - 9.5% TIPA and both delicious.
Next was a Razzle Dazzle, a 6.5% Raspberry and Mango Pastry Sour (my did I have my fair share of fruited beers this weekend) and what a beer, so fruitful and twangy.
It was whilst we enjoyed our beers that the elderly owner came out and chatted about our reason for being in town, Mikkeller, beer...such a friendly chap, said it many times but a mutual love of beers brings people together.
The food here looked and smelled delicious, if we hadn't already eaten then we most certainly would have, still there's always next year.
Sadly our time in Malmö was coming to an end, we made our way back to the train station and back to Copenhagen.
After unpacking our Swedish goodies we kept close to our hotel and luckily two absolute bangers are on our doorstep.
First off ÅBEN and boy this place was packed, full of people enjoying some of the best beers in town.
We managed to bag a couple of seats at one of the outdoor benches and for the next hour indulged in some fantastic beers.
Next Warpigs and this place was the busiest we've ever seen it, outside extra seating was in place, an outdoor mobile bar and a DJ was creating the party atmosphere.
This is where we would be settling in for the night, the buzz about the place was simply electric.
Whilst at the bar I bumped into Henock from Omnipollo and had a great chat about his amazing beers and MBCC.
What an absolute perfect ending to an amazing day Warpigs was, to sit in the late afternoon sun surrounded by fellow beer fanatics was the icing on the cake.
Saturday
Today is beer festival day but not until 4pm and so after another wonderful Danish breakfast in our beautiful hotel we kept with tradition and decided to pay Mikkeller and Friends Bottleshop a visit to pick up some extra special beers to bring home.
So we set off in the beautiful sunny weather and made our way across Rådhuspladsen Plaza, located in the front of Copenhagen City Hall and through to the Latin Quarter which leads us to the picturesque Ørstedsparken.
A Central Park that was filled with families, sunbathers and tourists, the shade of the trees a welcome relief from the hot midday sun.
Arriving at the Torvehallerne market we wondered the various stalls, each filled with delicious cakes, pastries and Smørrebrod. Outside was some of the freshest looking vegetables, I was so tempted by the beautiful looking tomatoes...next time 🍅
After choosing some special beers from the Mikkeller stall we made our way back through the Ørstedsparken and back towards the Latin Quarter with something sweet in mind, a cinnamon Danish from Peders Bakery - the oldest bakery in town. It's no surprise this bakery is always packed with tourists, there's no hype just amazing pastries
Our sweet tooth satisfied we would soon be indulging in something savoury because as we made our way through the City Hall Plaza we couldn't help stopping off at something we spotted earlier, filling the large square was an Indonesian festival.
All around us were food stalls and even a stage with singers and dancers all in traditional costumes, our next move was a no brainer...Beef Rendang (a dish I've made numerous times) and properly amazing it was too (mine's not far off) but now the countdown had begun, time to head back to our hotel and get ready for the festival.
Having already picked up our wristbands we headed to the Øksnehallen, the large building that houses the MBCC festival. Here we picked up our glasses and waited with the partying crowd for our green session to begin.
Here we go, 4 hours of amazing beers ahead of us...kicking things off with a couple from Marlobobo
Fanal 2025 - a 12.5% Mead made with late harvest Fanal cherries and also a Bourbon Barrel Aged Wildberry Doofus...WOW what a way to start
Next something tropical with a Sand Not Included, a 6% Passionfruit, Mango, Pineapple and Agave fruited sour that also came with a sprinkle of chilli powder.
During the course of the next three hours some jaw dropping beers and Meads were sampled, special bottles cracked and limited releases opened to an appreciative crowd.
Walking around the various stands we bumped into our friends Kev and Kymm and caught up with the couple of days.
We also bumped into another couple 😄
During the final hour the "extra special" bottles get opened, bottles that cost £££s are shared to a lucky few
What an unbelievable festival it was, so many amazing beers sampled in a party atmosphere with happy partying beer fans.
Cheers
Jay
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