History
History
History
One of the things you experience as soon as you visit, whether it’s Privaten Iscafé, or in the shop – is the warmth and presence that makes it special.
Back in 1888, Aabybro Dairy was a cooperative dairy founded by farmers from seven surrounding farms in Vendsyssel. The dairy was built next to the Ryå river so that the water from the river could be used to cool the milk. Production consisted primarily of cheese, milk and butter, both for the local area and for export.
In 1968, Anker Lindhardt bought the dairy and continued to run it. When a new product knocked the bottom out of the butter market, the dairy, led by his son N.H. Lindhardt, decided to change tack and produce ice cream instead. The ice cream would of course be called RYÅ IS, as a tribute to the dairy’s long history at Ryå.
You will notice a warmth and presence at the dairy that has been practiced and passed down through the ages. This is symbolized by Ice Cream Day, one of Aabybro Dairy’s newer initiatives.
Ryå and the surroundings
The grounds around the dairy are steeped in history; in addition to visiting the 130-year-old historic dairy, you can experience bunkers from WW2. World War II bunkers. The story of the ‘Energy Dense Ice Cream’ is a chapter of its own. After a tough battle with the EU over naming rights, which Aabybro Dairy won, a monument was erected on the site – with great symbolic significance. You can read it on your next visit.
Discover our Ryå dairy harbor, where you can dock your kayak or boat and get an ice cream.
Aabybro Dairy and RYÅ IS, therefore, have a lot to offer, whether you come for an ice cream in Privaten Iscafé or want to experience the historical wings on your own.
A story that builds day by day.
3rd generation
Niels Jørgen Lindhardt is the 3rd generation co-owner of Aabybro Dairy. Niels Jørgen has never been in doubt that he should train as a dairyman and become part of Aabybro Dairy. This despite the fact that his father, Niels Henrik, advised his son against becoming a dairyman. Niels Jørgen did not listen to this. Niels Jørgen started working a part-time job at the dairy as a child, and has since then taken a bigger part in Aabybro Dairy.
In 2023, Niels Jørgen bought into the dairy with a 25% share and is today the day-to-day manager of Aabybro Mejeri. As one of his first actions as co-owner, he took the initiative to build the dairy’s sales organization, with the goal of making Ryå ice cream known throughout Denmark.
Historical overview
1888 - 1948
1888 The dairy founded by Birkelse Hovedgård
1888 Butter was made in a churn and the milk was shipped to the dairy and by horse-drawn cart
1901 Lurmærket is founded
1920 Expansion of dairy due to export of Lurpak and cheese production
1925 Butter is packed in wooden shits for Export
1941- Ford pick up truck for delivering cheese and butter
1945 2. World War II, 5 bunkers around dairy, aircraft shot down
1947 USA sends Marshall aid to DK, many used money to buy tractors
1948 Privately owned by OP Sørensen, installs new steel core, drives tractor to collect milk
1949 - 1971
1949, starts bottling milk, drives around town with it in a horse-drawn cart, and brings home money
1963 NH Lindhardt is born at Vadum dairy
1968 Karoline the cow is created, in Karolinelund in Aalborg
1968 The Lindhardt family buys Aabybro Dairy, Toilet in the garden, mice everywhere.
1969 Anker Lindhardt spent his spare time catching eels in Ryå
1970 first tanker truck purchased for Aabybro Dairy
1971 Renovation of dairy in red stone,
1971 Ingeborg Lindhardt starts cheese shop
1971 - 2000
1971 A younger sister is added; Anna Mette who was fond of cats, they were good at catching mice
1972 Anker Lindhardt smokes the first smoked cheese over well-mounted oat straw
1976 Store Vildmose is on fire, milk tankers transport water to the extinguishing work
1977 5 milk tankers pick up milk at 320 farms.
1988 100 year anniversary
1990 The first ice cream is made by NH Lindhardt, RYÅ IS is founded, named after the river
1992 The first organic ice cream is made
1993 Alice picks strawberries for strawberry ice cream, heavily pregnant
1998 A Lindhardt hands over the keys to NH Lindhardt, after 30 years as owner
2000 New chimney erected to replace the old 23 meter high chimney
2000 - 2013
2000 for the 10th anniversary of Ryå ice cream, the world’s largest ice cream cake is made and enters the Guinness Book of Records
2001 Energy-dense ice cream for small eaters is developed together with Rigshospitalet
2003 Roll butter and butter with Læsø sizzling salt receives the gourmet award and is used in Michellin restaurants
2008 Aabybro Dairy becomes Danish champion for their products
2010 Niels Jørgen and Hans Christian start selling ice cream from Ice Carts and Nimbus Motorcycle
2010 ICE Limo is founded, specializing in Rolls Royce and royal cars, as well as limos
2013 The energy-dense ice cream needs a new name, says the EU, it turns into both city and country court, but dairy wins.
2013 - 2020
2013 and 2015 Niels Jørgen and HC become the first in the Lindhardt family to get student hats, NJ goes on to study Dairyman and HC studied music
2014 The neighboring plot is purchased due to expansion of the dairy, the family moves to Villa Ryå next to the dairy and thus the start of café Privaten 2015
2015 First Ice Day at Aabybro Dairy, with up to 6,000 guests and a helicopter tour, and there will be decorations in the area behind the dairy so guests can enjoy the beautiful area.
2016 The Energy Column is erected as a monument to the long legal battle over the name of the Energy Dense Ice won in 2015
Gravestone for Ingeborg and Anker Lindhardt, Proverb: There is nothing new under the sun
2018 The family celebrates 50 years at the dairy and there are now 3 generations involved in the business
The 2020 dairy is ready for the next many years, with good Danish dairy products and many happy guests.
There is a rich wildlife around the dairy and Ryå, among others. Kingfishers, seals, beavers, herons, fish, hares, fallow deer, pheasants etc. There is a floating bridge so you can dock at Ryå dairy harbor if you come sailing up the river.