I spent a year in Denmark, living and working within the city of Aalborg. Within two weeks, the…read moreWharf had become my regular after-work hangout. Now that I'm back in the US, there's almost nothing I miss more.
The Wharf is one of a small number of bars outside the UK that has the Cask Marque certification for serving real ale (cask beer) properly, and it's earned that distinction in spades. Ian, Fergus and the rest of the staff curate the casks wonderfully, keeping them in a specially-constructed refrigerator and ensuring that they're properly conditioned before serving. I'm not sure I've ever had a better beer in my life than a pint of St. Austell Proper Job or Thornbridge Kipling served at the Wharf. It's not just about the real ale, though: The Wharf also carries a number of good Danish and German beers on draft, and has bottles of Cantillon and Trappist ales on hand too.
If it were just about the beer, it'd be reason enough to go. But the Wharf is the acme of the neighborhood bar: cozy decor and furnishings, with friendly bar staff who are eager to chat and become instant friends. The owner, Ian, can be a prickly bastard himself, but only in the best of ways, and is always a riot to talk with. Aalborg's expat community frequents the bar, but there's also a large contingent of native Danish regulars, especially when there's a game of football or rugby on television. The bar can get crowded on weekends and on game days, but is always worth visiting.
Whether you're a Dane, a tourist or just some random bloke who likes good beer, it's imperative that you visit the Wharf.
