The Best Places To Buy Norwegian Beer

Beer is a popular drink in Norway, with a long history of brewing in the country. While Norway has strict regulations on brewing alcohol, there are still a variety of Norwegian beers available to purchase. These include craft beers, pilsners, ales, and lagers.

If you're looking to buy Norwegian beer, you can find it at various online retailers and physical stores, depending on your location. Some popular options include Beer Merchants, Brew Cavern in Nottingham, and Total Wine & More. In Norway, beers above 4.7% ABV are only available from licensed premises or the Vinmonopolet, a state-run alcohol retailer.

Buy Norwegian beer online

Norway has a long tradition of brewing, and while home brewing was outlawed in the early 20th century, the craft beer movement has been gaining traction in recent years. Today, you can buy Norwegian beer online from a variety of retailers and discover the unique and exciting brews this country has to offer.

Beer Merchants

Beer Merchants offers a wide range of Norwegian beers, including options from popular breweries such as Lervig and Nogne O. They have a variety of styles available, such as pale ales, IPAs, and stouts, and often feature limited-edition and seasonal beers.

Beerbay

Beerbay is another great option for purchasing Norwegian craft beer online. They offer beers from well-known Norwegian breweries, including Nøgne Ø, founded by a former SAS pilot, and Lervig, considered one of the best breweries in the world. You can explore a diverse range of beer styles and flavours on their website.

Beers of Europe

Beers of Europe has an impressive selection of Norwegian beers, featuring brands such as Amundsen, Oslo Brewing Company, and Aegir. They offer free delivery on orders over £100, making it a cost-effective option for stocking up on your favourite Norwegian brews.

Drizly

Drizly provides a convenient platform for purchasing Norwegian beer online. With a focus on fast delivery, you can get your hands on a variety of Norwegian beers in under 60 minutes after placing your order.

Beer Shop HQ

Beer Shop HQ offers Norwegian beers, wines, ciders, and spirits for delivery across the UK. They have a range of seasonal and unique beers, such as festive specials and limited-edition releases, ensuring you can discover something new and exciting from Norway's craft beer scene.

So, whether you're looking for a well-known Norwegian brand or wanting to explore the latest offerings from independent breweries, these online retailers provide a great opportunity to buy Norwegian beer and have it delivered directly to your door.

Buy Norwegian beer in-store

Norway has a long tradition of brewing beer, and while it was historically dominated by two large brewing groups, in recent years, several independent and microbreweries have emerged. The country now produces some of the best pale lager in Europe, with most Norwegian beers falling under this style.

Where to Buy Norwegian Beer In-Store

If you are in Norway, you can purchase Norwegian beer from supermarkets, but your options will be limited. Norwegian beers sold in supermarkets will have an alcohol content of 4.7% ABV or lower. This means you will find a selection of lagers, ciders, and weaker versions of some international brands.

Supermarkets also have restricted hours for selling alcohol. After 8 pm on weekdays, 6 pm on Saturdays, and all day Sundays, only licensed bars and clubs are permitted to sell alcohol.

For stronger beers, you will need to visit a state-run alcohol store, such as Vinmonopolet. These stores have even shorter opening hours than supermarkets, typically closing at 6 pm on weekdays and 3 pm on Saturdays. However, they offer a wide range of products, especially wines, and various beers from Norwegian breweries with a higher ABV than those sold in supermarkets.

Popular Norwegian Beers

• Lervig
• Nogne O
• Amundsen
• Oslo Brewing Company

Beer festivals in Norway

Norway has a vibrant farmhouse brewing scene, with several beer festivals taking place across the country. One notable festival is the Norsk Kornølfestival, which is dedicated to Nordic farmhouse beer. The festival is held annually in October in Hornindal, a small municipality nestled between mountains and fjords in the Norwegian countryside. It features a variety of traditional brewers who showcase their heirloom house yeast, known as kveik. The festival offers a unique opportunity to sample a wide range of beers, including homemade and commercial farmhouse ales, as well as beers inspired by traditional ingredients and techniques.

Another notable festival is the Haand Craft Beer Festival, which took place in 2012 in Drammen. This festival attracted some of the most exciting craft breweries in Europe, including Nøgne Ø and Kinn from Norway, Närke from Sweden, and Magic Rock from England. The event combined delicious beer with food and a big outdoor beer tent, making it a massive success.

For those interested in exploring new flavours, the biannual Ølfestival at Nærbø is worth considering. This festival is organised by the local beer club, Nærbø ølklubb, and has been well-received since its inception in 2009.

In addition to these dedicated beer festivals, Norway also hosts various food and music festivals that feature craft beer offerings. For instance, the Kongsberg Ølfestival combines food and beer, offering guests a choice of 200 different beers alongside short-travelled food options. The Buktafestivalen, a local music festival, even featured a special festival beer flavoured with fresh ginger.

Types of Norwegian beer

Norway has a rich history of brewing, with beer being brewed and enjoyed for over a millennium. Brewing was industrialised in the early 20th century, and home brewing was restricted. Today, the Norwegian beer market is dominated by two large brewers: Carlsberg-Ringnes and Hansa Borg Bryggerier.

The most popular style of beer in Norway is pilsner-style pale lager, which has almost 92% of the market share. However, craft beer has been growing in popularity in recent years, and there are now over a hundred microbreweries in the country.

• Pilsner: This is the dominant beer type in Norway, with almost 92% of the market share. It is a pale lager that originated in the Czech city of Plzeň.
• Bayer: A dark lager with roots in Bavaria, Germany. The Norwegian version is often slightly sweeter than German dark lagers.
• Juleøl: A dark, malted beer that is traditionally brewed at home and only available at Christmas time.
• Bokkøl: A strong, dark lager, typically with 6-7% ABV and a sweet, complex flavour. It is known as Bock bier in Germany.

Norway also has a strong tradition of farmhouse brewing, which has given rise to several unique styles, known under the common name of "maltøl" or "gårdsøl". Some examples of farmhouse beers include:

• Heimabrygg: Originating from the Hardanger, Voss, and Sogn region. It is usually dark and very strong (8-12%) and brewed from barley malts, with juniper and often kveik yeast.
• Kornøl: From the Nordfjord and Sunnmøre regions. It is typically pale, hazy, and 6-8% ABV, brewed from barley malts with juniper and kveik yeast.
• Stjørdalsøl: Brewed in the Stjørdal region, this beer is deep dark red and slightly hazy. It is made from homemade heavily alder-smoked barley malts and fermented with bread yeast.

In addition to these traditional styles, Norwegian breweries have been experimenting with new and exciting beers, such as IPAs, stouts, and sour ales. Some popular Norwegian beers in these styles include:

• Lervig No Worries Alcohol Free IPA
• Lervig Passion Tang Passionfruit Sour
• Lervig Hop Buffet Double IPA
• Lervig Times 8 Imperial Stout
• Lervig Sour Suzy Berliner Weisse
• Lervig Pils
• Amundsen Ashes to Ashes
• Lervig House Party
• Lervig Orange Velvet
• Amundsen Christmas Morning

Norwegian drinking culture

Norway has a long tradition of brewing, with beer having been brewed and enjoyed in the country for at least 1,000 years. During the late Middle Ages and the long unions with Denmark, farms commonly had a brewing operation on-site. This practice continued until around 100 years ago when brewing rapidly industrialised and home brewing was made illegal.

Today, Norway is a nation of beer drinkers, with pilsner being especially popular. However, as with the rest of the world, craft beers are gaining market share. Due to government restrictions, beers above 4.7% ABV are only available from licensed premises (such as bars, restaurants and clubs) or from the Vinmonopolet, a state-run alcohol retail store. As a result, many breweries reduce the alcohol content in their beer so that they can be sold in supermarkets.

Alcohol is a social lubricant for Norwegians of both genders. While Norwegians may appear reserved and cautious when sober, alcohol often has the effect of removing social barriers and inhibitions. Drinking sessions are usually confined to special occasions, such as birthdays and cabin trips, with the Christmas party (julebord) being the prime example.

The high cost of alcohol in Norway (due to the Norwegian government taxing alcohol at the highest rate in Europe) has a significant impact on Norwegian drinking culture. It is common practice to engage in a 'forspiel' or pre-party, where people drink at home before going out to avoid racking up a sky-high bill at a bar. It is also uncommon to find an 'open bar' at work or social events, and there is no expectation for people to buy drinks for their colleagues. Instead, most people are expected to bring their own drinks (BYOB).

When drinking with Norwegians, it is important to know how to toast your colleagues. Grab your favourite drink, raise it up high and proclaim "skål" (pronounced "skol") loudly. The word comes from the Norwegian word for the skull and dates back to Viking times when it was customary to drink from the skull of your enemy. It is also considered good manners to stare into the eyes of your companions while you toast.

Frequently asked questions