Tuborg was founded in 1873 on a harbor in Hellerup, north of Copenhagen, and has been part of the Carlsberg Group since 1970 (the two companies had a close, initially secret, profit-sharing agreement dating back to 1903). Its flagship Tuborg Green pilsner remains one of Denmark’s best-known beer exports.
At a Glance
| Style | Pilsner |
| ABV | 4.6% (varies slightly by market; 4.0% in the UK) |
| Calories | 155 per 12 fl oz |
| Carbs | 3g per 12 fl oz |
| Origin | Tuborg Brewery / Carlsberg Group, Fredericia, Denmark (founded 1873) |
| Typical price | Around $12 to $16 for a 12-pack in the US. Check the button for live pricing |
How it tastes, by the numbers
Tuborg Green pours pale gold with a crisp, clean aroma. It carries a moderate bitterness that shows up mainly in the aftertaste, keeping the beer light and refreshing through the pour.
The full review
On the palate, Tuborg is clean, crisp and only lightly bitter, Tuborg’s own marketing describes it as excellent with light meals such as salads and spicy Asian dishes, and it holds up as a food-friendly, uncomplicated pilsner. It sits closer to the mainstream European lager crowd than to a hop-forward craft pilsner, see our best lager beers guide for the wider field.
Carlsberg and Tuborg share brewing roots dating back to a landmark moment in beer history: in 1883, Carlsberg solved a major yeast-purity problem by isolating pure yeast strains and freely sharing the discovery with fellow brewers, including Tuborg and Heineken, a rare act of open-source science in an era of closely guarded brewing secrets.
ABV varies slightly by market (4.6% in Denmark, 4.0% in the UK for example), so check the label if you are comparing it to a beer you have had elsewhere.
“A moderate bitterness in the aftertaste, excellent with light meals such as salads and spicy Asian dishes.”, Tuborg
- Clean, crisp, easy-drinking pilsner
- Long brewing pedigree (since 1873)
- Food-friendly, pairs well with lighter dishes
- Widely available internationally
- ABV varies by market, which can be confusing
- Not a flavor-forward beer compared to craft pilsners
- Less recognized in the US than Heineken or Stella
Who it is for
Fans of clean European pilsners who want something a little different from Heineken or Stella Artois. If you want to compare it to its parent brand, our Carlsberg review covers the other half of the Carlsberg Group lineup.
How to serve Tuborg
Tuborg recommends serving it at 5-8°C (41-46°F), colder than room-temperature European lagers are sometimes served. A standard pilsner glass works well.
FAQs
Is Tuborg owned by Carlsberg?
Yes. Tuborg has been part of the Carlsberg Group since 1970, though the two Danish breweries had close ties dating back to 1903.
How strong is Tuborg beer?
Tuborg Green is 4.6% ABV in Denmark, though ABV varies slightly by market, it is 4.0% in the UK, for example.
Where is Tuborg brewed?
Tuborg was founded in 1873 in Hellerup, Denmark, near Copenhagen. Production today is centered in Fredericia, Denmark, with additional licensed brewing in other countries.
Photo: Tuborg Green bottle by McKaby, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).
