Become a partner
Join the Mikkeller family
Mikkeller is more than just a brewery – it’s a movement. Founded in Copenhagen, we’ve built a global reputation for pushing the boundaries of craft beer, creating innovative brews, and fostering a passionate community of beer lovers. Now, we’re inviting you to be part of this exciting journey by becoming a Mikkeller partner.
Spark
You’ve got an idea — and the curiosity to explore what’s possible. That’s where we begin.
Connect
You reach out — we start the conversation, share ideas, and explore the potential together.
Explore
We help you shape the concept, find the right location, and map out the next steps.
Build
We align, plan, sign, and get your place ready with hands-on support all the way.
Pour
You open your doors, welcome your guests, and grow something of your own — with the Mikkeller family behind you.
Why Partner with Mikkeller?
A Globally Recognized Brand
As one of the most respected craft beer brands in the world, Mikkeller offers partners instant credibility and a dedicated following. Our reputation for quality, creativity, and innovation sets us apart in the industry.
Exclusive and Unique Beer Selection
We continuously develop new and exciting beers, collaborating with some of the best breweries and chefs worldwide. As a partner, you’ll have access to an exclusive portfolio of beers that attract both enthusiasts and newcomers.
Proven Business Model
Our partner model is designed for success, offering partners a blueprint for operating a thriving craft beer bar or bottle shop. From location selection to daily operations, we provide a structured approach to ensure your success.
Comprehensive Support & Training
You’re never alone in this journey. Our team provides in-depth training, ongoing support, and marketing assistance to help you establish and grow your business.
A Passionate Community
Mikkeller is more than just a beer brand – it’s a lifestyle. Our global network of bars, festivals, and running clubs connects people through a shared love for great beer and unique experiences.
Meet two of our successful partners and get inspired by their stories, starting from vague ideas all the way to running their own establishments in their own manner in the city they love.
Bringing mikkeller to Switzerland
Say hello to Florian, the driving force behind Mikkeller Zürich.
What started as a casual visit to Copenhagen turned into a passion for craft beer and a years-long ambition to bring Mikkeller to Switzerland. From a chance email to a chance encounter in Turkmenistan, Florian’s journey is anything but ordinary — and it led to one of our most successful bar openings to date. Florian first discovered Mikkeller around 15 years ago, during a visit to Denmark. At the time, Copenhagen’s craft beer scene was booming — an eye-opener for someone new to the world of craft beer. Beyond the beers themselves, it was Mikkeller’s bold identity that left the strongest impression.
“I was suddenly face-to-face with an overwhelming number of beer styles, taps, and creative experiments ... What really stuck with me wasn’t just the quality of the beers, but also Mikkeller’s strong visual identity, the fun artwork that made everything more approachable and inviting. Unlike many craft breweries that can come off as too niche or intimidating, Mikkeller struck a perfect balance: good beer, bold design, and a sense of playfulness.”
Back home in Zurich, Florian kept thinking about what he’d seen in Copenhagen. He felt the city had untapped potential — a strong foundation but nothing quite like the Scandinavian feel that Mikkeller could bring. The idea stuck with him.
“Living in Zurich, I noticed that we didn’t have anything quite like it. I always thought Zurich had strong potential for a Mikkeller location. There were a few craft beer places, but Mikkeller had that Scandinavian design feel.”
Just before COVID, he decided to reach out to Mikkeller directly. The response was encouraging — but the timing wasn’t ideal. Still, years later, he happened to cross paths with Mikkeller’s founder in one of the world’s most unexpected places.
“I reached out to Mikkeller through their general inbox to ask if they’d ever considered opening something in Switzerland. They said they hadn’t found the right partner, so I said: ‘I’m your guy! ... It was a bit bad timing, but a few years (and one global pandemic) later, I found myself in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan; one of the least visited countries in the world, where I randomly ran into Mikkeller’s founder, Mikkel Bjergsø, at a hotel bar which gave me the chance to pitch the idea again. This time, the vision stuck.”
In 2024, the bar opened — and instantly made headlines within the company. Thanks to existing brand awareness and local momentum, it performed beyond expectations from day one.
“We opened in 2024 and broke Mikkeller’s global record for opening-night revenue. We have exceeded monthly revenue targets consistently and made more than enough to turn a healthy profit. In fact double what we originally envisioned. That’s largely thanks to the brand recognition. People were already familiar with Mikkeller, so we had an immediate advantage over starting from scratch.”
Beyond commercial success, the bar helped shake up the local beer scene. Independent brewers took notice, and the space quickly became a destination for newcomers, regulars, and beer fans of all kinds.
“The Swiss craft beer scene had become stagnant. There was a drop in standards and no role models for the smaller breweries. Our presence has helped spark a bit of a revival. We've had so many small local breweries tell us they’re glad we showed up.In most towns and cities, bar taps are dominated by big names. And when something new opens, they often focus on international brands. We have changed that. We carry a wide selection of Mikkeller beers but also rotate a strong lineup of Swiss brews. Overall, we have had a strong reception from the craft community in Switzerland, we have been welcomed into the neighbourhood and the first years have exceeded all our expectations. We have managed to create a place that is not just for beer drinkers. We attract a lot of curious newcomers and with 20 beers on tap, there’s something for everyone. We take pride in expanding people’s palates.”
Tapping into Estonia
Meet Martin from Mikkeller Tallinn Old Town.
From humble beginnings as beer enthusiasts and distributors, Martin and the other co-founder Kaspar helped introduce Mikkeller to Estonia — first through kegs, then through a bar of their own. With persistence, creativity, and a bit of good timing, they turned a side project into a thriving destination in Tallinn’s Old Town. They began importing beer in 2016. What started as a hobby quickly turned into something more serious after discovering Warpigs, Mikkeller’s brewpub in Copenhagen. Their enthusiasm led them to track down Warpigs kegs by any means possible — and ultimately, to becoming Mikkeller’s distributor in Estonia.
“We started beer distribution in 2016 — just as a hobby,” says Martin, one of the founders behind Mikkeller Bar Tallinn.
“That’s when we discovered this amazing brand called Warpigs and tried a few beers. At the time, Estonia had maybe two distributors, a few bottle shops, and some scattered kegs. We were young and enthusiastic — still are! We tried every possible channel to get our hands on Warpigs. Eventually, someone from the Mikkeller office said, ‘Sure, we can send you a few kegs.’ Around the same time, a local distributor shut down, and Mikkeller reached out to ask if we wanted to take on their distribution.”
As the partnership grew, so did their perspective. Martin and Kaspar began to notice that the Mikkeller brand wasn’t always being presented with the care it deserved.
“We saw people making mistakes — not doing the beers justice,” he explains. “That’s when we started thinking: maybe we should open a Mikkeller Bar in Tallinn.”
Before COVID, they had already found a location and lined up some partners. Things were moving — until the pandemic put everything on hold. Oddly enough, it ended up being a blessing in disguise.
“COVID actually helped us find a better space, just off Town Hall Square. We jumped on it. Then, one Sunday, Mikkel was in town. We showed him the space, and things really took off from there.”
The build-out was a learning curve, but it paid off. A well-traveled designer with experience in Estonia, Switzerland, and Austria led the layout. Her ideas resonated with Mikkeller’s in-house design team, who finalized the plans. She was also on-site daily, helping bring the vision to life. Even Mikkeller’s carpenters came over from Denmark to custom-build the bar interior.
“There were a lot of moving pieces, and everything is custom. It was a huge learning experience,” Martin recalls. Since opening, the collaboration with Mikkeller has matured. There's mutual trust now — and freedom to operate independently.
“In the beginning, of course, there was more oversight. But over the years, trust has really built up. Especially on the marketing side, we can now work freely and openly. They don’t micromanage us. It’s loose and easy — in a good way.”
Despite Estonia’s recent economic struggles — inflation has been double the EU average for two years — the bar is profitable. The Mikkeller name continues to carry weight.
“The brand is well-known here. People associate it with quality and trust it. We’re even seeing more Mikkeller beers on restaurant menus these days.”
The food concept has also evolved. Initially launched with a chef and gastropub-style menu, the bar later pivoted after a smooth parting with the chef.
“We shifted our focus more toward the bar. Now we’ve partnered with a small local burger chain that does organic smash burgers. They have three locations and a great reputation. The collaboration’s been fantastic — they’re great at marketing, too. Together, we amplify each other.”
With summer in full swing, business is booming. The bar’s terrace in Tallinn’s Old Town becomes a prime destination.
“Summer is definitely our high season. From June onward, we’re open all day. Now we’re just waiting for some good weather.”
Investment & Financial Overview
What to Expect
Initial Partner Fee: Covers brand licensing, training, and initial support.
Setup Costs: Vary based on location, size, and concept.
Ongoing Royalties: A percentage of revenue to support continuous brand development, marketing, and operational assistance.
We provide detailed financial guidance to ensure transparency and a clear understanding of the investment required.
Get in touch here
Each potential partner will undergo a structured evaluation process based on the questionnaire below. This may include, but is not limited to:
· Submission of a business proposal
· Financial due diligence review
· Market analysis and site feasibility study
· Interviews and brand alignment discussions
· Final approval by our partner selection committee. We seek partners who share our passion for craft beer, uphold our brand values, and demonstrate the capability to operate a successful partner business.
If you are interested in partnering with us, we invite you to submit your application for consideration.
