Beer In Norway: A Way Of Life

Planning a move or visit to Norway? We lived there. Check out our Norway stories and resources.

When you think of Norway, you think of vikings, fjords and white-blond hair. At least that’s what I thought of before I lived there. Snow and skiing is part of the environment and a relaxed lifestyle is enjoyed by most. And then we come to beer. Now every country, big or small, long or narrow, produces beer. I bet even the Vatican City has its own brew, probably made right there in the bowels of St. Peter’s by someone called Giuseppe. So I expected Norway to have beer, but not outstanding craft beer with varieties and blends I’d never dreamed of.

nogne O beer

I’ve covered some of these Norwegian breweries before, but in honour of my new-found favourite, I’ll start with Nøgne Ø.

Nøgne Ø (Grimstad)

Their #100 (10%), in honour of their 100th batch is the best beer I’ve had in my short-to-long life so far. Now people, I wouldn’t give this accolade lightly, so listen and listen well. Fantastisk! That’s about all the Norwegian I know, save for Takk you very much. I’ll get to Oslo in a minute, but whilst there, I tried on tap Nøgne Ø’s Saison (6.5%) and India Saison (7.5%). These are not seasonal beers as I’d previously thought; they are a mix between Belgian beer and a pale ale of sorts. Pretty good. My last visit to the Vinmonopolet (literally translated to Wine Monopoly, ’cause it is), I saw their Roasted Pepper Ale but didn’t have the heart to buy the 500 mL bottle. Not for almost $14 a pop that is.

nogne O floaty bits

Amundsens Bryggeri & Spiseri (Oslo)

What a find this brewery was. After the heavens opened up while on top of Oslo’s hill in the park in the middle of the city, I was drenched courtesy of my shitty umbrella that couldn’t resist a 1 km/h wind, let alone the mini-hail downpour. Anyway, I stumbled upon the Amundsens Bryggeri and exclaimed to the barman, “I’ve got two hours to kill. Ply me with beer my good sir”. A tasting sampler was recommended and duly drunk which included their Pale Ale (4.5%), Oceans IPA (6.6%), Batch #100 (8.5%) and the Amundsen Anniversary Ale (10.5%). The Batch #100 was a delicious stout that won the day for me.

Haandbryggeriet beer

Cardinal Bar in Stavanger was a way of life for me whilst living there. The local Lervig brewery varieties never disappointed, but in my humble opinion, second only to Nøgne Ø is Haandbryggeriet in Drammen. The labels come complete with five fingerprints of a hand grasping the very bottle you are imbibing from. Previously I’d had their Dark Force Double Extreme Imperial Wheat Stout (9%), but the Odin’s Tipple, Dark Norse Ale (11%) takes the proverbial cake. I would describe this as a “porter with attitude” and probably the best style like that I’ve ever had. Drink many and be happy. I also sipped their delectable Fatlagret Porter, which is aged in Akevitt oak barrels (8.2%). Now this is truly Norwegian because Akevitt is their spirit of choice and I tried it once and have no idea what it is.

odin's viking beer

One last beer I tried on our final visit to Cardinal Bar was Mikkeller’s Boogoop. Whilst Danish and not Norwegian, it must get a mention as an ale aged in Grand Marnier cognac barrels (10.4%). You beauty!!

boogoop beer

What’s your favourite Norwegian pasttime?

Planning a move or visit to Norway? We lived there. Check out our Norway stories and resources.

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