Denmark's Mikkeller Steps Up Downtown L.A.'s Craft Beer Game With World-Renowned Menu

Mikkeller, a name already well-known to beer lovers worldwide, is certainly one of downtown Los Angeles' buzziest openings. On Friday, the Danish import brings over 50 draft beers and worthy bar food to a vacant auto repair shop.

The industrial space Mikkeller is assuming is quite large, coming in at 7,600 feet. There's plenty of communal seating, as well as a few booths and a row of bar seats lined up against the glass walls overlooking the street. Throughout, you'll find Mikkeller's signature art—the flexible, cartoon characters created by Philadelphia artist Keith Shore. Other light-hearted touches include funhouse mirrors, the space's blueprints and planning documents used as wallpaper in the restrooms, and a LEGO wall where you're free to build your own creations.

Mikkeller was founded as a microbrewery in Copenhagen by physics teacher Mikkel Borg Bjergsø and Kristian Klarup Keller in 2006 (Keller is no longer with the company). Both were avid home brewers, and Mikkeller has continued to honor that tradition by collaborating with a variety of brewers to come up with many interesting and complex beers. Bjergsø has stated that he's a "gypsy brewer," traveling around to find other brewers to create with within their own facilities. This is how Mikkeller has produced hundreds of different beers, which are available via their many tasting rooms throughout the world. In the United States, they've stuck to California, opening outposts in San Francisco, Oakland and San Diego. Los Angeles' new location comes via Bjergsø and bar owner Chuck Stilphen (he's responsible for the The Trappist in Oakland).

The opening beer list at the L.A. spot includes the highly rated "Beer Geek Breakfast," which is an oatmeal stout brewed with Dark Horse coffee. There are also plenty of IPAs and Belgian-style beers, and a delicious Imperial stout brewed with maple syrup and sea salt. They also have a few ciders, including an ice cider made with heirloom apples and red currants. Beers are organized on the menu by serving temperature.

In addition to beer, they have a small selection of wine on tap, as well as a handful of cocktails. These including the refreshing "Lime in the Coconut"—made with vodka, coconut, basil, cucumber and lime—and the "Oaxaca Old Fashioned," with tequila, mezcal, agave and mole. Beers are priced between $6 and $11, with most hovering in the $7 to $9 range, while Cocktails are $13 to $15.

Food comes via Chef Enrique Cuevas (The Springs), while Chef Andrew Horza (Warpigs Brewpub in Copenhagen) came in to work on the menu's smoked meat choices. Options include house-smoked sausages, sandwiches, and a fantastic burger that's topped with lettuce, tomato, hopscotch cheddar, crispy bacon and fried onion. Vegetarian options include a beet salad, a wild mushroom salad, and flatbreads.

Mikkeller DTLA officially opens to the public on Friday, February 10 at 5 p.m. Initially, hours will be 5 p.m. to midnight on Sunday through Wednesday, and 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Thursday to Saturday. Lunch will be offered in the future. Additionally, there is an attached cafe called Kaffebaren where you can get tea, coffee, cold brew on nitro, beer, salads, sandwiches and pastries. Kaffebarren is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Mikkeller DTLA is located at 300 W. Olympic Blvd. in downtown Los Angeles, .