The Carlsberg Family

Published:

01.05.2024

A global brewery group, three philanthropic foundations, two internationally acclaimed museums and a groundbreaking research laboratory together make up the Carlsberg Family.

It is a diverse family, spanning an ambitious international business, research and innovation, and funding for science, the arts, culture and young people.

Not your average family

In addition to the world’s third-largest brewery (Carlsberg Group), the family is home to a laboratory (Carlsberg Research Laboratory), two leading museums (Frederiksborg • Museum of National History and Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek) and three philanthropic foundations (Carlsberg Foundation, New Carlsberg Foundation and Tuborg Foundation).

A living legacy

The Carlsberg Family is the combined legacy of the brewery’s founders, J.C. and Carl Jacobsen, and their wives, Laura and Ottilia. Born of unparalleled endeavour and a desire to give back to society, it is a legacy that remains as relevant as it is wide-ranging.

Under the terms of J.C. Jacobsen’s will, all of his property, including the Old Carlsberg brewery, was transferred in 1888 to the Carlsberg Foundation, which still has a controlling interest in Carlsberg Group today.

 

History then repeated itself in 1902 when his son Carl transferred the New Carlsberg brewery to the Carlsberg Foundation and established the New Carlsberg Foundation as an independent foundation under the Carlsberg Foundation.

 

In line with the founders’ instructions, the Carlsberg Foundation’s share of the brewery’s profits continue to be used for the public good. This means today that almost 30 per cent of the dividends from Carlsberg A/S are channelled to science, the arts and young people in the form of grants from the Carlsberg Foundation, the New Carlsberg Foundation and the Tuborg Foundation.

Carlsberg Family website
Almost 30 per cent of the dividends from Carlsberg A/S are channelled to science, the arts and young people in the form of grants from the Carlsberg Foundation, the New Carlsberg Foundation and the Tuborg Foundation.

The family in brief

Carlsberg Group

J.C. Jacobsen founded the Carlsberg brewery in 1847. In 1881, his son Carl opened the New Carlsberg brewery, and the original brewery was renamed Old Carlsberg. Ownership of Old Carlsberg was transferred to the Carlsberg Foundation in 1888 following the death of J.C. Jacobsen. 

When Carl Jacobsen established the New Carlsberg Foundation in 1902, he transferred the New Carlsberg brewery to the Carlsberg Foundation, and the two breweries merged as Carlsberg in 1906.

In 1970, Carlsberg and Tuborg merged under the name United Breweries. The company then changed name back to Carlsberg in 1987 following the acquisition of a number of international breweries.

Today, Carlsberg Group is the world’s third-largest brewer.

Carlsberg Foundation

Founded in 1876 by J.C. Jacobsen.

The Carlsberg Foundation is one of the world’s oldest commercial foundations. It is the principal shareholder in Carlsberg A/S and supports independent basic research in the natural sciences, the social sciences and the humanities.

Carlsberg Research Laboratory

Founded in 1875 by J.C. Jacobsen.

The Carlsberg Research Laboratory is an internationally acclaimed research institution which has delivered groundbreaking results over the years and revolutionised modern brewing. Its scientists are forever pushing boundaries in their quest for better and more sustainable solutions for the production of beer.

The Carlsberg Research Laboratory is run by Carlsberg A/S, while the Carlsberg Foundation supports the laboratory's development and research. In the Foundation's charter, the Carlsberg Research Laboratory is referred to as a department under the Carlsberg Foundation.

Frederiksborg • Museum of National History

Founded in 1878 by J.C. Jacobsen.

The museum is housed at Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerød north of Copenhagen, the largest Renaissance palace in Scandinavia. The museum houses more than 500 years of Danish history through its collections of portraits, historical paintings and furniture presented in the castle’s lavishly decorated rooms.

Frederiksborg • Museum of National History is organised as a department of the Carlsberg Foundation.

Tuborg Foundation

Founded in 1931.

Focusing on bringing young people together, the Tuborg Foundation supports cross-sector collaborations between civil society, business and the public sector to promote development and innovation in industry.

The Tuborg Foundation has been organised as a department under the Carlsberg Foundation since 1991.

New Carlsberg Foundation

Founded in 1902 by Carl and Ottilia Jacobsen.

The New Carlsberg Foundation supports the arts and research into the arts. Its purpose is to support the role of the arts in society so that they can be enjoyed by all. It also helps secure the financial basis for Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek.

The New Carlsberg Foundation is an independent foundation under the Carlsberg Foundation.

Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek

Founded in 1897 by Carl Jacobsen.

Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek is an internationally acclaimed art museum. It is home to a collection of more than 10,000 works of art and archaeological artifacts, including unique collections from Egypt and other ancient civilisations, and numerous masterpieces by the great European artists.

Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek is recognised by the State and operated as an independent institution with funding from the State and the New Carlsberg Foundation.