Tour de Biére

If you want to combine your beer interest with some exercise, the Danish Beer Enthusiasts might have the solution. They have put together a 10 day bike tour, covering 550 kilometers and 20 breweries in 10 days.  The show starts on 3 July, and there are still places available. This is a low-budget affair, using [...]

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Íslenski barinn – a remarkable place

One place I had picked out before leaving for Iceland, with good help from Haukur, was Íslenski barinn or Icelandic Bar. Though this opened last year, the theme is unashamed nostalgia. This is your grandparents home, ca. 1950. Assorted furniture, old photos and memorabilia. Souvenirs from the sailors of the family. If you’ve been to plan b in [...]

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Cask beer festival …. in Oslo ??!

 Yes, I’ll get back to my visit to Iceland, but I had to share this with you. I was told by the organiser, who did not want too much publicity until the details are finalized. But I am leaking like a sieve. So. A mini cask ale festival in Oslo.10-11 September. A grand dinner on Saturday night [...]

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Beer shopping, Icelandic style

The alcohol retail system in Iceland is quite similar to what you find in Sweden, Finland and Norway, with a state monopoly running the shops. Iceland and Sweden are the strictest, where what you would call everyday beers also have to be sold through these shops. This is obviously a hassle for the Icelandic beer [...]

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Beer al fresco in Lillehammer

The terrace at Lillehammer Bryggeri will open tomorrow at 17.00 for refreshments, a sure sign that the winter is finally over. Until proven otherwise, they have the best pilsner in the country. Check their web site for opening hours this summer.

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Australian gold medal for Nøgne Ø

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Norwegian micro (they call it boutique brewery down under) Nøgne Ø was awarded the Champion Exhibitor trophy, as well as the Champion Small Brewery award at a dinner in Melbourne on Thursday.   No details about which beers they entered in the competition. Nice to conquer new continents.

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A friendly trade

There are many ways of finding rare beers when you travel. You can brows the shops, you can do a pub crawl, you can visit a brewery. Or you can trade with a local beer hound. Haukur is active on ratebeer as well as a beer blogger, so, naturally, I got in touch with him [...]

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So, you want me to plug your t-shirt?

Or your beer, your DVD, your book or some other more or less beer related product? If you want a review, at least send me a sample. If not, please go away. And don’t be surprised if you don’t get a personal reply. But, if you are patient, there might be a blog post during the summer: [...]

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Arrival in Iceland

A short family vacation in Iceland was planned long before the volcano started messing up European air space, and our tickets were booked at a time when planes tended to leave on schedule. Our tickets were for Friday afternoon, but early in the morning I received a text message saying the flight was cancelled. To [...]

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The most unlikely place

I did not know this before I went.  But the most interesting place in Europe to go for truly exotic food, prepared and presented professionally and with a smile must be Reykjavik. I’m serious. And there are pale lagers aplenty and mock Oirish pubs, but there are truly fine beers, too. If you know where [...]

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