Beer in Norway Information & Beer in Norway Links at HealthHaven.com

Beer in Norway is the product of a rich tradition of brewing. Norwegian craft brewing has a long history, going back at least 1000 years. Until around 200 years ago no farm was complete without a brewhouse. From the early 20th century brewing was industrialized and home brewing outlawed. Since then, significant consolidation in the brewing sector has reduced the number of major breweries to just a handful. With the exception of the malty juleøl (Christmas beer), most beer styles brewed in Norway today trace their ancestry to central Europe.

[edit] Market

Currently, the Norwegian beer market is dominated by two large brewers: The giant Carlsberg-Ringnes based in Oslo and Copenhagen, Denmark, and the smaller Hansa-Borg, based in Bergen and Sarpsborg. Each produce beer branded in a variety of traditional Norwegian beer brands, as well as foreign brands bottled on licence. This system is a result of the large-scale consolidation of Norwegian breweries that have taken place over the last 50 years or so.

Due to government restrictions, beers above 4.75% Alcohol by volume (abbreviated as abv or ABV) are only available from licensed premises or the state-run Vinmonopol (literally "Wine monopoly") chain of shops. This rule has had a rather drastic impact upon the market, hence the production of stronger beers for Vinmonopol sale, yet it is well worth the effort of locating them.

Craft brewing has a long history in Norway, harkening back to the days when no farm was complete without a brewhouse. Many structures found at old properties do indeed include a designated "bryggehus": a separate building where beer was produced. Home brewing in Norway is a rather common, albeit understated (due to its association with home distilling, which is illegal) pastime. Examples can be found in Oslo at Oslo Mikrobryggeri, Scandinavia's first microbrewery and brewpub, and Nøgne Ø in Grimstad.

As with most countries in Europe and America, the most popular style of beer in Norway is pilsner-style pale lagers. Consequently, according to the Norwegian brewers' association, almost 92% of beer brewed in Norway is pale lager.^[1] In places, this is the only style of beer to be had, except at Christmas time, when christmas beers become available, which are dark malt beers traditionally brewed for Christmas.

Due to government restrictions, beers above 4.75% abv. are only available from licensed premises or from the state-run Vinmonopolet liquor stores. This has resulted in some foreign breweries "watering down" their beer in order to make them legal for supermarket retail. In addition, in some municipalities alcohol sale is further restricted, with beer only being available through licensed retailers - as in some states in the USA. This practice is mostly restricted to some northern and western municipalitie.

Visitors from other countries are often surprised by the limited availability of beers on tap in pubs and nightclubs. This is due to the custom of each pub signing a contract with one brewery, limiting them to providing draught beer from that brewery. In exchange, the brewery will provide the bar with all the systems required for pulling beer, such as tanks, taps, glasses, and so on. In place of the tap selection, bars often carry a number of bottled beers. However, these usually carry a much higher price tag.

[edit] Styles

Craft brewing has a long history in Norway, going back at least 1000 years. Until around 200 years ago no farm was complete without a brewhouse. Thus, brewhouses are often found at old properties and in ruins. Home brewing is fairly common. However, most modern home brewers focus on distilling spirits, rather than brewing beer. With the exception of the malty juleøl (Christmas beer), most beer styles brewed in Norway today hail from the central European brewing traditions (primarily Bavarian and Czech traditions).

Some styles of beer that are typical of Norwegian brewing traditions are:

Pilsner - the pale lager style which originated in the Czech city of Plzeň. As in most western countries this is the dominant beer type with almost 92% of the market share. The weaker (below 4.75% abv.) types are the most common, but most breweries also brew stronger varieties (similar to the Bavarian Spezial beer style) for sale through the Vinmonopol.

Bayer - a dark lager, which has its roots in Bavaria (Bayern) in Germany. The Norwegian version is often slightly sweeter than German dark lagers. Once rivaling Pilsner in popularity, its market share has dropped from 20% in 1950 to just 0.2% in 2004.

Juleøl - a dark, malted beer which is exclusively available at Christmas time. Traditionally this was a strong, dark beer of the ale type which was brewed at homes. In modern times each brewery produces their own variety of Christmas beer, mostly a dark lager. Most breweries brew both weaker varieties (for sale in supermarkets) and the more traditional, stronger varieties.

Bokkøl is a strong, dark style of lager beer, typically 6-7% ABV, with a sweet, complex flavour. It originates from Germany, where it is known as Bockbier.

[edit] Legislation

In Norway, beer is classified into four categories by ABV (Alcohol By Volume) rating, labeled from A to D. The class both determine the tax level, age restrictions, where, and when it can be sold.

Class A beer has an ABV value of less than 0.7%, and is for all intents and purposes alcohol-free beer. It is not taxed more than general foodstuffs, and can be sold anywhere, any time, and be brought by anyone.
Class B beer has an ABV value between 0,7% and 2,75%, and is considered "lettøl" (light beer). It is lightly taxed, and can be sold anywhere, anytime, and be brought by anyone.
Class C beer has an ABV value between 2,75% and 3,75%. This category is not in common use.
Class D beer has an ABV value between 3,75% and 4,75%, and is considered standard strength. Taxation is significant, age limit is 18 years, and sales are subject to local regulation. In most parts of Norway, class D beer can be purchased from common supermarkets, but only before 20:00 on weekdays and 18:00 on Saturdays. In some parts of Norway it can only be purchased through licensed beer stores.
Beer over 4,75% is considered sterkøl (strong beer) and is only sold through the government-controlled liquour store chain Vinmonopolet. It is taxed according to ABV level as with wines and spirits, and carries an 18 year age limit.

[edit] Common Brands

Ringnes is originally from Oslo, and is brewed by Ringnes Bryggeri in Oslo. It is Norway's most sold beer brand. It is owned by the Danish brewery Carlsberg.
Hansa is originally from Bergen, and is brewed by Hansa-Borg Bryggerier in Bergen. It is Norway's second largest beer brand.
Aass is originally from Drammen, and is brewed by Aass Bryggeri in Drammen.
Mack is originally from Tromsø, and is brewed by Macks Ølbryggeri in Tromsø. Macks Ølbryggeri is the world's northernmost brewery.
CB is originally from Kristiansand, and is brewed by Christianssands Bryggeri (CB) in Kristiansand. CB is owned by Hansa-Borg.
Borg is originally from Sarpsborg, and is brewed by Hansa-Borg Bryggerier in Sarpsborg.
E. C. Dahls is originally from Trondheim, and is brewed by Ringnes E. C. Dahls Bryggeri in Trondheim. E. C. Dahls is owned by Ringnes Bryggeri.
Tou is originally from Stavanger. It is brewed by Ringnes Bryggeri in Oslo.
Frydenlund is originally from Oslo. It is brewed by Ringnes Bryggeri in Oslo.
Lundetangen is originally from Skien. It is brewed by Aass Bryggeri in Drammen.
Grans is originally from Sandefjord. It is brewed by Grans Bryggeri in Sandefjord.
Arendals is originally from Arendal. It is brewed by the Ringnes Arendal Bryggeri brewery in Arendal. Arendal Bryggeri is owned by Ringnes Bryggeri.

[edit] References

^ Bryggeriforeningen

[edit] External links

NORØL (Norske Ølvenners Landsforbund - Federation of Norwegian Beer Consumers) is a consumer organisation which campaigns to support traditional styles such as Bokkøl and Bayerøl.
Norwegian Breweries

[0] Bryggeriforeningen

[1]