Explore the diverse and flavorful world of Norwegian beers with this comprehensive guide. Delve into the history, brewing traditions, and unique styles of beer that Norway has to offer. From traditional farmhouse ales to innovative craft brews, this guide highlights the best Norwegian beers and the breweries behind them. Whether you’re a beer connoisseur or an adventurous drinker, discover the rich beer culture of Norway.
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- Brief History of Norwegian Beer
- What Is The Most Popular Beer In Norway?
- What Are The Other Major Norwegian Beer Brands?
- How Much Beer Do Norwegians Drink?
- How Much Does Beer Cost In Norway?
- What are the different Styles of Norwegian Beer?
- What Are The Best Norwegian Beers To Try?
- The Best Norwegian Beers
- What Are The Best Microbrew Or Craft Beers In Norway?
- What Are The Best Norwegian Beers To Pair With Norwegian Food?
- How To Order A Beer In Norwegian
Brief History of Norwegian Beer
With well over a millennium of historical sources to draw upon, it’s safe to say that most olden-time Norwegians had an interest in beer, to the point that not brewing it at certain times of the year was illegal. Up until 200 years ago, most of the villages and farms, where grain was able to grow beyond the reach of the Arctic Circle, used to brew their own beers. In the Middle Ages, farms usually had a brew house on-site, called a brygghus which usually produced a variety of farmhouse ales.
Then, 100 years ago, the industrialisation of brewing grew rapidly, and the home-brewing operations were declared illegal in certain regards – such as selling your products without a proper license. As brew houses consolidated over the next few years, it led to there being only two main producers within the country: Carlsberg-Ringnes and Hansa-Borg.
What Is The Most Popular Beer In Norway?
In Norway, if you head to the bar and order a beer without specifying what type, you’ll end up getting a lager – and most likely a Pilsner at that. A pale lager is hands down the most popular beer style and the main brew style produced by the two competing main breweries.
As far as recommendations for the singular most popular beer in Norway, you’ll find that this depends on region to region, however you can’t go wrong with ordering a Ringnes, since this is the most sold Norwegian beer brand.
What Are The Other Major Norwegian Beer Brands?
The main Norwegian beer brands are owned by two companies. Carlsberg-Ringnes, who is based in the city of Oslo, as well as Copenhagen in Denmark, and Hansa Borg Bryggerier, who is based in Sarpsborg and Bergen. While these brands have a range of beers and ales available, they’re mostly known for their pilsners. Some of the most popular Norwegian beer brands they own are:
- Ringnes: This beer brand began in 1877 and was acquired by Carlsberg in 2004. Their flagship beer is a pilsner, which was one of the first to be brewed with yeast, and retains a light, malty and pleasing hoppy flavour.
- Hansa: Known as a premium Bergen brand, Hansa Bryggeri joined with Østfold-based Borg Bryggerier in the late 1990’s to become one of the top selling beers in Norway. Its name originates from Bergen’s history and the Hansa as a trading port.
- Dahls: Created in 1856, this beer is one of the favourites of the region of Trondheim, as it originated there. It is owned by Ringnes, which is ultimately owned by Carlsberg.
- Mack: A favourite of the city of Tromsø, Mack was founded in 1877 and the brand brewed its beers locally, until 2012, when it moved its Tromsø operation to a facility located within Nordkjosbotn.
How Much Beer Do Norwegians Drink?
While the actual consumption of alcohol is tricky to accurately portray, since some people buy beers to keep for months at a time before opening them, it seems as though on average, 51 litres are consumed per person in Norway. Statistically, in 2020, it is believed that the per capita consumption of beer in Norway, in litres, was 94.58.
How Much Does Beer Cost In Norway?
When it comes to the price of beer, this will depend on the amount you are ordering – such as a draught, a pint, or 5-0ml. However, if you have to average a price, it would be around NOK 90 for half a litre of beer. This equates to around €9, £7.7, or $10.48.
What are the different Styles of Norwegian Beer?
While pilsners are a local favourite, there are other beer types available like stouts and lagers, and pale ales. An uncommon Norwegian beer, which not many outside Norway know about, is a dark malt beer called juleøl – or Christmas beer.
What Are The Best Norwegian Beers To Try?
Norway has many beer brands that are well worth sipping on. Apart from the main beers produced by Ringnes, Hansa, Dahls, and Mack, there are plenty of microbreweries to consider stopping in at and trying their ranges.
Two of the most recognised microbreweries in Norway are Lervig and Nøgne Ø. They have some of the best ranges on the market, along with Monkey Brew, Amundsen Bryggeri and Cervisiam.
The Best Norwegian Beers
It’s incredibly hard to pinpoint exactly which Norwegian beers deserve a spot on a ‘best’ list, however, as far as recommended beers go, there are some which should definitely be tried. The best Norwegian beers to start with are Aass Classic, India Pale Ale by Nøgne Ø, Berentsens Brygghus Rogalandspils, and Ringnes Gold Extra Strong. For some darker beers to enjoy, you’d do well to consider Eternal Rest 2017 from Nøgne Ø, Sippin’ Into Darkness by Lervig and Dark Horizon 4.5 from Nøgne Ø.
What Are The Best Microbrew Or Craft Beers In Norway?
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Microbreweries and brew pubs may be a recent phenomenon that has captured the imagination of the world, but home brews in Norway have been practised for centuries. While it was made illegal in the 19th century for farmhouse ales and the like to be made and sold for profit without a licence, there are many who continued home brew traditions for the love of the craft. Then, there are the more modern microbreweries who are turning beer brewing into a fine art.
Røros Bryggeri and Mineralvannfabrikk are another small-scale brewery with a big impact on their region. They offer a variety of different beers, such as The Bayer and the Beast, Blue Christmas, Pils Out, Fairytale of Røros and they also have a non-alcoholic option called No Buzz, No Fuzz.
What Are The Best Norwegian Beers To Pair With Norwegian Food?
When it comes to beer pairings, you can’t go wrong with grabbing a cold beer like Dark Horison 4.5 with it’s coffee and whisky undertone, and enjoying it alongside a mutton stew (known as Fårikål) or some tasty meatballs (locally called Kjøttboller). Another good option is a dark stout like Glazed & Confused by Amundsen Brewery which is paired with pork chops (Svinekoteletter). Pilsners pair well with any kind of seafood dish, be it fish or crustacean, and they go equally well with cheeses.
How To Order A Beer In Norwegian
To order a beer in Norwegian, you’ll need to say Jeg vil gjerne ha en øl, which translates to I’d like a beer!

Jake has been a craft beer and homebrew enthusiast since his college days. He loves scouring Europe for unique and unusual hops to add to his beers.
Founder of Jake’s Brew Haven – he currently hosts beer-tasting sessions at select local pubs in Baltimore.