The first lager on fonio grain

At Carlsberg Laboratory, scientists have worked every day for 150 years to create the beer of the future. Understanding the possibilities and principles of science is essential for brewing innovative and experimental beers.

In 2024, Carlsberg Laboratory created a completely new type of beer made exclusively with fonio grain, without the use of barley or bittering hops. Fonio grain has thrived in West Africa for over 5,000 years and is widely used in African cooking. It can grow in extremely poor soil and is highly drought-resistant.

Zoran Gojkovic, Director of Brewing Science, Yeast & Fermentation at Carlsberg, shares his thoughts on working with fonio beer:

“Fonio is an amazing West African grain, but it presented several technical challenges for us to learn from and overcome—especially as there were no existing recipes for a beer like this. However, the incredibly clean, crisp beer we’ve created is sure to spark curiosity as we continue to explore the potential of fonio in brewing and beyond. At Carlsberg, we are constantly working to ignite curiosity, and I firmly believe that all progress in the world begins with a spark of curiosity.”

This fonio beer is brewed in collaboration with Brooklyn Brewery as part of their Brewing for Impact campaign. The campaign was launched by Brooklyn Brewmaster Garrett Oliver to celebrate his 30th anniversary at the brewery. Its purpose is to highlight the ancient West African grain and its untapped potential in brewing and its ability to drive positive change across the brewing industry.

And how does a lager brewed on fonio taste? Experts describe it as clean, with soft aromas of apricots, white peaches, and melon creating both sweetness and bitterness. The lager was made in limited quantities and launched in August 2024.