US rock band The National teams up with Mikkeller to release collaboration beer

17-Jul-2018 - Last updated on 17-Jul-2018 at 08:28 GMT

Reality-based: The beer takes its name from the band’s song ’Walk it Back.’ Photo: Jared Eberhardt

American rock band The National has released a beer made in collaboration with Danish microbrewery Mikkeller.

‘Reality Based Pils’ will be available in all of Mikkeller’s locations and outlets within the next month.

The beer’s name is based on an excerpt from the band’s song ’Walk it Back.’ The song quotes the infamous George W Bush advisor, Karl Rove, who talked about how easy it has become to manipulate facts and how a “reality based community” may be a thing of the past.

'Reality Based Pils', made in collaboration with the world famous Danish microbrewery @MikkellerBeer, will be available in all of their locations and outlets within the next month.https://t.co/IkVQrFKxXA pic.twitter.com/DUc2Ppca3G
— The National (@TheNational) July 16, 2018

The next logical step

The recipe of the beer was made by CEO of Mikkeller Mikkel Borg Bjergsø, and the eye-catching label was designed by Mikkeller’s art director, Keith Shore.

“We are all huge fans of Mikkeller, so to have Mikkel make a recipe specifically for us is very exciting,” said Aaron Dessner from The National.

Bjergsø and Dessner became friends a few years ago when they were met through Jacob Gram Alsing, a mutual friend and COO of Mikkeller. Since then, they have collaborated in the creation of the Copenhagen music festival Haven. As fans of each other's work, making a beer together was a logical step.

Traditional style

The band and the brew master both agreed to brew a traditional Pilsner style beer..

“After many years of drinking, tasting and brewing all sorts of different beer styles, I’ve kind of gone back to the roots. The only beer I have in my own fridge at the moment is Pilsner, so making that style of beer for The National was an obvious choice,” said Bjergsø.

“We like clear and crisp beers when we come off stage and need to cool down,” added Dessner.

The National are not the first band to team up with a brewery to release their own beer. Earlier this year Manchester rock band The Courteeners worked with Camden Town Brewery to brew a special lager in celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the band’s debut studio album, St Jude.