Åben

About this place

ÅBEN is a Danish craft brewery founded in 2017, originally in the city of Kolding, that has grown into one of the most recognisable names in Danish beer culture. The name – which simply means "open" in Danish – traces back to an early piece of advice the founders received when reaching out to other breweries for guidance: "just come, our door is always open." That openness became both a slogan and a guiding principle. The brewery now operates four bar locations in Copenhagen, alongside venues in Aarhus and Roskilde. The flagship is the tank bar at Slagtehusgade 15 in Den Brune Kødby (the Brown Meatpacking District) in Vesterbro, housed in a former slaughterhouse building from 1932. Beer is brewed on the premises just behind the bar, and as each batch finishes it flows directly into one of fourteen steel fermentation tanks suspended from the ceiling. Guests drink surrounded by the production itself, with a clear view of the open brewery. It is an unusually immersive setup for a city bar, and it draws a consistent crowd of beer-curious visitors. The restaurant component at Kødbyen has permanently closed, but the tank bar continues operating, and Thursday through Saturday, selected pop-up restaurants take over the kitchen from 5 PM to 9 PM. DJ sets run on Friday and Saturday evenings. Two newer locations have expanded ÅBEN's presence significantly. In August 2024, the brewery opened inside the historic Kedelhallen at Franciska Clausens Plads 29 in Carlsberg Byen – a listed industrial building with four iconic chimneys, now reimagined as one of Copenhagen's more striking bar spaces. In April 2025, a fourth Copenhagen location opened at Århusgade 122 in Nordhavn's so-called Red City quarter. Both locations serve beer brewed at the Kødbyen brewery, with fourteen taps available at each site. The beer portfolio covers IPAs, Berliner Weisse, stouts, sours, and more, including gluten-free options, with the tap selection rotated regularly. As of June 2026, the Kødbyen location was running approximately 38 active beers according to Untappd. Guided tastings of five ÅBEN brews are available for around DKK 300 per person, and the venues offer group and private event bookings. The Kødbyen location holds a Google rating of 4.5. For anyone visiting Copenhagen with a genuine interest in craft beer, ÅBEN is a well-earned destination.

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