The best of the year - Norway

I will not do any lengthy “year in review” posts, just a few subjective highlights of the beer year, starting here in Norway.

• Inderøy Gårdsbryggeri have established themselves. They cater for the local market, so their beers are hard to find, but they are definitely worth tracking down.
• Some of us finally managed to visit Lillehammer Bryggeri, and had a very warm welcome and some splendid beers. Their brews are also only to be found locally.
• We have visited Haandbryggeriet in Drammen several times, and have had very good discussions with them. Their Rodenback-style Haandbakk has established itself as one of my favourites, but it is not easy to find, either. Look forward to some outstanding brews from them in 2009, they should be available in North America and other export markets, too.
• Splendid new beers from Ægir and Nøgne ø, too. There are new micros establishing themselves around the country, so there will be. I’m happy to say that the distribution of craft beer has taken large steps this year, and I think the increased visibility in the bar/restaurant market will pay off.

I have a few hopes for 2009:

• That the legislative work in progress on allowing private import of alcohol will speed up a bit
• That the government Vinmonopolet stores will start taking beer seriously
• That there will be adjustments to current regulations making it possible for beer and cider makers to sell their brews to visitors on a limited scale.

I’m afraid none of this will happen.

But I think the range of beers available in bars will continue to increase, expect Carlsberg to enter the high end of the market with imports via their House of Beer concept.

Lillehammer brews

About these ads