Finland's Thirst For Beer: How Much Do They Drink?

Finland has a long history of beer drinking, dating back to the Middle Ages. In 2022, the country ranked 23rd in per capita consumption of beer, with Finnish people consuming 70.2 litres annually. This is a decrease from previous years, with alcohol consumption in Finland steadily declining since its peak in 2005. While beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage in Finland, the country also has a unique system of classifying beer based on alcohol percentage, with different regulations for each class. Finland also has strict regulations around alcohol sales, with state-controlled monopolies in place.

Finland's per capita beer consumption

Finland has a long history of beer, dating back to the Middle Ages. As of 2022, Finland ranks 23rd in per capita consumption of beer, with Finnish people consuming 70.2 litres of beer annually per capita. This amounts to a total annual consumption of 393 million litres. Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage among Finns, accounting for nearly half of the total consumption of alcoholic beverages in 2023.

Finnish alcohol consumption reached record levels by 2005 but has decreased by roughly a fifth since then. While total alcohol consumption has declined steadily, drinking habits among Finns remain polarised. Compared to other European countries, Finnish people still drink large quantities of alcohol at one time, although binge drinking has decreased somewhat. There is a growing interest in milder alcoholic beverages, and younger generations are drinking less than previous ones. While strong alcoholic beverage consumption has decreased over the past decades, wine consumption has increased.

In Finland, beer with an alcohol content of 5.6% or higher could only be sold in state-owned Alko liquor stores, bars, and restaurants with the appropriate license until June 2024. An alcohol law change in June 2024 now permits beer with an alcohol content of up to 8.0% to be sold in stores. Beer with an alcohol content of 8.1% or higher can only be purchased at Alko stores, bars, restaurants, or tax-free shops on cruise ferries.

Finland's unique alcohol regulations have resulted in the creation of several distinct classes of beer tailored to comply with the country's alcohol laws. These classes are determined by alcohol content, with Class I being non-alcoholic and Class IVB having the highest alcohol content, ranging from 5.2% to 8.0%. The most popular type of beer in Finland is Class III, with an alcohol content between 3.7% and 4.6%.

The Finnish Drinking Habits Survey revealed that a significant portion of the population engages in risky drinking, defined as consuming more than seven units of alcohol per week for women or more than 14 units for men. It also found that heavy episodic drinking, or binge drinking, was common, with 57% of the population consuming at least five standard drinks per occasion at least once in the previous year. The survey further showed that heavy drinking was associated with other risky behaviours such as smoking and gambling, as well as the use of other substances.

Alcohol taxes in Finland

Finland has a long history of beer, dating back to the Middle Ages. The Finnish Beer Day is celebrated on 13 October to commemorate the founding of the Sinebrychoff brewery and the birth of Finnish beer. As of 2022, Finland's standing is 23rd in per capita consumption of beer, with Finnish people consuming 70.2 litres of beer annually per capita.

Alcohol prices in Finland are approximately 80% over the EU average. This is due, in part, to the country's high alcohol taxes. Excise duties are levied on alcohol and alcoholic beverages, and must be paid by manufacturers and importers when products are imported to Finland or released for consumption. The duty depends on the beverage type, ethyl alcohol content, and quantity.

Prior to 1995, when Finland joined the European Union, beer was classified into tax classes by law. After joining the EU, the law was reformed so that the tax is set directly by the percentage of alcohol by volume contained in the product. As of June 2024, beer with an alcohol content of up to 8.0% can be sold in stores, while beer with an alcohol content of 8.1% or higher can only be sold in state-owned Alko liquor stores, bars, and restaurants with the appropriate license, or at tax-free shops on Baltic Sea cruise ferries.

Finland's unique alcohol regulations have resulted in the creation of several types of beer that are specially designed by companies to comply with the laws and be sold in supermarkets and pubs, rather than in Alko shops. These include beers with alcohol content ranging from 0.0% to 5.2%, which are classified into five types or classes based on their alcohol content.

Finland's most popular beers

Finland has a long history of beer, dating back to the Middle Ages. The country's oldest commercial brewery is Sinebrychoff, founded in 1819. Finnish Beer Day is celebrated on 13 October to commemorate the founding of the Sinebrychoff brewery and the birth of Finnish beer. Finland's largest brewers are Hartwall, Olvi, and Sinebrychoff. Most of the beers brewed in the country are pale lagers. Finland's per capita beer consumption is 70.2 litres per year, ranking 23rd globally.

Now, let's take a look at some of Finland's most popular beers:

Sinebrychoff Koff Porter

Sinebrychoff is a well-known Finnish brewery, and their Koff Porter beer is one of the highest-rated Finnish beers on RateBeer.com. It is owned by the Carlsberg Group, which has a market share of 46.9% in Finland.

Lapin Kulta

Lapin Kulta is another popular Finnish beer brand, owned by the Hartwall brewery. Hartwall is the second-largest brewer in Finland, controlling 29.5% of the national market. Lapin Kulta falls into Class IV of Finnish beers, with an alcohol content between 4.7% and 5.2%.

Olvi

Olvi is the largest Finnish-owned brewery, holding approximately 20% of the Finnish market. They produce a range of beers, including the Olvi lager and Sandels brand.

Sahti

Sahti is a traditional Finnish farmhouse ale, made with rye and barley malts and sometimes oats. It is filtered through straw or juniper twigs, giving it a unique flavour. While it is less common today, it is still served at weddings and special occasions and is praised by beer connoisseurs.

Pyynikin

Pyynikin is a Finnish brewery that has gained recognition for its imperial stouts. Their Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout and Post Mortem Imperial Stout are highly rated and have made it to the list of the best Finnish beers on RateBeer.com.

In addition to these popular choices, Finland has a growing craft beer scene, with 85 microbreweries in the country as of 2017. These small, independent breweries offer a diverse range of beer styles and flavours, contributing to the vibrant and evolving beer culture in Finland.

Finland's drinking culture

Finland has a long history of beer, dating back to the Middle Ages. The country's drinking culture is unique, with a state-owned monopoly, Alko, controlling the sales of alcoholic beverages containing over 5.5% alcohol by volume. This has led to a diverse range of beers with different alcohol levels, specially designed to comply with Finland's strict alcohol laws.

In 2023, per capita consumption of alcohol in Finland was 7.4 litres, a decrease from previous years. Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage among Finns, accounting for nearly half of the total consumption of alcoholic beverages. Finnish Beer Day is celebrated on 13 October to commemorate the founding of the oldest commercial brewery in Finland and the Nordic countries, Sinebrychoff, in 1819. The largest Finnish brewers are Hartwall, Olvi, and Sinebrychoff, and most beers brewed in the country are pale lagers.

While alcohol consumption in Finland has been decreasing, drinking habits remain polarised, with Finns still consuming large quantities of alcohol in one go. Binge drinking has decreased, and there is a growing interest in milder alcoholic beverages. Young people are also drinking less than previous generations, and wine consumption has increased while strong alcoholic beverage consumption has decreased.

Alcohol laws in Finland

Finland has a long history of beer, dating back to the Middle Ages. The country's alcohol laws have evolved over time, with the most recent changes taking place in June 2024. Here is an overview of the alcohol laws in Finland:

Alcohol Classification and Taxation

Finland has a unique system of classifying beer into different classes based on their alcohol content. Until 1995, beers were classified into tax classes by law. However, after joining the European Union, the law was reformed, and the tax is now set directly by the percentage of alcohol by volume in the product. This change has resulted in a diverse range of beers specially designed by breweries to comply with the alcohol laws and be sold in supermarkets and pubs.

Alcohol Retail and Distribution

Finland has strict regulations on the retail and distribution of alcohol. The country has an alcohol monopoly, with the state-owned company Alko being the only retailer allowed to sell beverages containing more than 8.0% alcohol by volume. Alko has a wide distribution network of over 350 stores and 60 pick-up points across Finland. The opening hours of Alko stores are typically Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Alcohol Consumption in Public

Finland, like other Nordic countries, views alcohol consumption as a public health issue and has strict regulations in place. The legal drinking age in Finland is 18 for milder drinks and 20 for stronger ones. The permitted hours for serving alcoholic beverages in restaurants and bars are from 9:00 am to 1:30 am, and local authorities can allow even longer hours upon special request.

Alcohol Advertising and Marketing

Finland was one of the first countries to implement comprehensive alcohol advertising regulations. Marketing is not allowed for beverages with an alcohol content of 22% or more, while products with a lower alcohol content have various restrictions and regulations.

Alcohol Import Limits

Finland has set limits on the amount of alcohol that can be imported by passengers. The limits include 1 liter of spirit over 22% ABV, 2 liters of spirits made from wine or similar bases under 22% ABV, 4 liters of still wine, and 16 liters of beer.

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