Swedish Beer: Where To Buy And What To Know

Swedish beers, ales, and lagers are some of the world's most respected, with inventive yeast cultures, experimental ingredients, and a focus on flavour and mouthfeel. Beer lovers can now easily buy Swedish beer online from specialist craft beer websites such as Beer Merchants and Beyond Beer, or from alcohol delivery services such as Drizly and Total Wine & More. Swedish beer is also available from Scandinavian-focused websites such as Nordic Expat Shop.

Online beer retailers

If you're looking to buy Swedish beer online, there are several retailers that can help you out.

Beer Merchants

Beer Merchants offers a range of Swedish beers, ales, and lagers, including craft beers and specialities like sours, stouts, and fruity creations. They deliver to the UK and have a helpful team of beer experts who can assist with any queries.

Total Wine & More

Total Wine & More offers a selection of Swedish beers, including Omnipollo's Yellow Belly, Zodiac Multiverse, Barrel Aged Aon Pecan Mud, and Bianca Apricot Almond Deep Vanilla Lassi Gose.

Beergium

Beergium offers a wide range of beers, including Swedish craft beers, and delivers in Sweden. They have about 1000 different beers from over 300 breweries, specialising in Belgians, Scandinavians, and Americans.

Nordic Expat Shop

The Nordic Expat Shop is a great option for those looking for Scandinavian beers, including Swedish brands. They offer a range of well-known brands, such as Tuborg, Carlsberg, and Heineken, as well as cider options.

Beers of Europe

Beers of Europe boasts the best selection of Swedish beer, offering traditional favourites and unique options. They also provide free delivery for orders over £100.

Swedish alcohol regulations

Alcoholic drinks in Sweden are commonplace, as in most Western countries. However, Sweden has a historically ambivalent relationship with alcohol, with binge drinking and alcohol-related health and social issues being prevalent in the past. As a result, Sweden has implemented strict alcohol regulations, including:

Systembolaget

Sweden operates a government alcohol monopoly called Systembolaget for the sale of all alcoholic drinks stronger than 3.5% ABV. This state-run liquor store is the only place, other than licensed restaurants and bars, where Swedes can buy wine, spirits, and strong beer. The minimum purchase age at Systembolaget is 20, and customers are often required to show ID to verify their age. The stores have strict opening hours, typically closing at 3 pm on Saturdays and remaining closed on Sundays, which often results in Swedes stocking up for the weekend on Fridays.

Classification of Beer

Beer in Sweden is legally divided into three classes based on alcohol content. Class I, or lättöl ("light beer"), has a maximum ABV of 2.25% and is sold without restrictions, although shops often set their own age restrictions. Class II, or folköl ("people's beer"), has an ABV of up to 3.5% and is sold in regular stores with a minimum purchase age of 18. Class III, or starköl ("strong beer"), has an ABV over 3.5% and is sold exclusively in Systembolaget stores.

Taxation

Alcoholic drinks in Sweden are heavily taxed, more so than in most other countries. As of 2007, the tax on vodka was 200.56 SEK/liter, on wine 22.08 SEK/liter, and on beer 6.615 SEK/liter. Beer with an ABV of 2.8% or less is exempt from tax, except for VAT. The VAT is 12% for drinks sold in shops with up to 3.5% ABV and 25% for those above this threshold, including drinks sold in restaurants.

Drinking Culture

Sweden has a unique drinking culture, with two-thirds of the population abstaining from alcohol during the week, and then consuming higher quantities during the weekend. It is uncommon to drink during the week, and those who do may be viewed critically by their peers. Drinking in public is mostly forbidden, and can result in a fine of 500 SEK (approximately 50 euros). Driving after consuming alcohol is also frowned upon, with a legal blood alcohol limit of 0.2 per mill. If a driver is found to have a blood alcohol level of 0.3 or more, their license will be revoked for up to one year.

Importing Alcohol

Due to the high taxes on alcohol in Sweden, many Swedes choose to import alcohol from other countries, particularly Sweden's southwestern neighbour, Denmark, and Germany. The import quota from other EU countries does not apply to personal use, so Swedes often stock up on alcohol in these countries to take home.

Swedish craft beer breweries

Sweden has a thriving microbrewery scene, with more microbreweries per capita than any other country besides the UK. With almost 400 innovative craft beer purveyors, most of which use eco-friendly and organic methods, there is no shortage of options for beer lovers.

One well-known Swedish brewery is Omnipollo, which offers a range of beers such as Yellow Belly, Zodiac Multiverse, Barrel Aged Aon Pecan Mud, and Bianca Apricot Almond Deep Vanilla Lassi Gose. You can buy their beers online through websites like Drizly and Total Wine & More.

If you're looking to visit some Swedish craft beer breweries in person, here are some notable options:

• Beer Studio in Umeå has a youthful vibe, with music-inspired artwork and creatively designed cans. They offer a range of beers, from B-Side Brown Ale to the more experimental Sputnik Krisis Russian Imperial Stout.
• Jämtlands Bryggeri, founded in 1995, is a respected Swedish brewery known for its President lager and Mango IPA. Their beers are filtered and free from additives and preservatives.
• Oppigårds Bryggeri, located in an 18th-century farm in central Sweden, is a family-run business that prides itself on the quality of its beer and the responsible disposal of by-products. They initially gained popularity with bold flavours and strong alcohol content beers.
• Sigtuna Brygghus, located near Arlanda airport, focuses on sustainability and experimentation. They run on renewable power and turn their waste products into biogas.
• Strange Brew in Strängnäs describes itself as "small, local and very much hands-on". They offer unfiltered and dry-hopped beers with a punchy aroma thanks to their generous hopping schedule.
• Omaka, located in central Stockholm, is both a brewery and a restaurant, combining Swedish beverages and food. Their beer list includes the dry and crisp Mamma and the chocolaty, berry-like Svartskog.
• Fjäderholmarnas Bryggeri, located in the Stockholm archipelago, offers a complete craft beer experience. Visitors can order fresh beer straight from the barrel and learn about the Swedish beer tradition through workshops.

So, whether you're looking to buy Swedish craft beer online or visit some of the breweries in person, there are plenty of options to explore and enjoy!

Swedish beer history

The history of beer in Sweden goes back millennia, with drinking vessels containing beer residues found from the Nordic Bronze Age (1700–500 BC). However, the country's beer history can be traced even further back to the late Iron Age, before Sweden emerged as a nation in the Middle Ages.

Through old writings, such as Hávamál, we know that the Norse culture produced ale and mead, with mead being the preferred drink. Ale was the most common, and the Scandinavians also had access to wine. Modern reproductions of Norse brews have resulted in ales with an ABV of up to 9%. Up until the 19th century, brewing was primarily done to meet household needs, with weak alcoholic content. For special occasions, stronger "feast-beer" and potent mead were brewed.

Before the introduction of hops in brewing, bitter herbs and plant parts, such as rowan berries, sweet gale, and yarrow, were used to season and preserve beer. While it was initially believed that the Order of Cistercians brought hops to Sweden around 1100 AD, recent genetic research suggests that Vikings brought hops back from their trade expeditions earlier. The first records of hopped beer in Sweden are from the 13th century, and by 1296, hops were among the crops that peasants were required to tithe.

In the 1800s, the types of beer brewed in Sweden underwent a significant transformation. The original, indigenous styles gradually gave way to imports, first from England, and then from Munich and Pilsen. The first bottom-fermenting beer in Sweden was a Munich-style dark lager brewed in Stockholm in 1844, and the first Pilsner was introduced in 1874. Sweden was an early adopter of lager, which required large supplies of natural ice for production before the advent of artificial refrigeration in the 1870s.

During the 1900s, an anti-alcohol movement gained influence in Sweden, leading to heavy regulations and restrictions on beer sales. For much of the century, beer was classified solely by its alcohol content, and starköl (strong beer) was outlawed for over three decades. The upper alcohol limit varied but never exceeded 5.6% ABV. Stronger beers were only available in pharmacies with a doctor's prescription. It wasn't until 1955 that starköl was legalised, but with a maximum alcohol content of 5.6%, limiting the styles of beer available.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, three large brewery conglomerates—Pripps, Spendrups, and Falcon—dominated the market, leading to a stereotype of Swedish beers as lacking in taste and character. However, a new generation of small breweries emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s, offering customers more diverse choices and contributing to a thriving craft brewing scene in Sweden today.

Buying Swedish beer in Sweden

Sweden has a lot to offer when it comes to beer, with a rich history of brewing and a thriving modern craft beer scene. The country's beers, ales, and lagers are highly respected worldwide, and Sweden is now a craft beer hotspot.

Where to Buy Swedish Beer in Sweden

When in Sweden, you can find Swedish beer at various establishments, including breweries, brewpubs, taprooms, bars, and restaurants. The state-owned Systembolaget alcohol outlets also offer a range of beers, including locally brewed options. These outlets have a strict alcohol policy, allowing only the sale of beer with an alcohol content of up to 3.5% in supermarkets. Beers with higher alcohol content are exclusively sold in Systembolaget stores or licensed bars and pubs.

Popular Swedish Craft Beer Breweries

Omnipollo is a well-known Swedish craft beer pioneer, established in 2010, and it has a bar and a taproom in Stockholm. Their innovative and experimental approach has gained them a global following. Stigbergets, based in Gothenburg, is renowned for their high-quality IPAs, while Apex, from the town of Nora, has captivated fans with their New England-style IPAs. Brewski, in Helsingborg, is famous for their fruit sour beers and their annual craft beer festival, Brewskival.

A Brief History of Swedish Beer

Sweden's brewing tradition goes back a long way, with farmhouse ales and mead being historically popular. Beer was initially brewed with herbal mixtures, as hops were not widely available. In the 20th century, lager styles like Pilsner dominated the market, and production became concentrated among a few large breweries. However, the modern craft beer movement in Sweden gained momentum with the emergence of breweries like Omnipollo and Närke, leading to a proliferation of small breweries, bars, and restaurants serving diverse and innovative beers.

Frequently asked questions