EXPLAINED: The story behind Norway's most famous regional beers

Local Norway

04-04-2025

When thinking about beer in Norway, it's pretty hard to look beyond the prices that make the country one of the most expensive places in Europe to buy alcohol. But there's also plenty of history if you can get over the intial shock.
For starters, plenty of the big cities have their historic regional brewers with strong ties to the city's identity – even if just two major names, Carlsberg-Ringnes and Hansa-Borg, dominate the market today.
The regional differences between beers mainly refer to producers, as even with Norway going through the same craft beer renaissance as other countries, pilsner remains by far and away the most popular beer most of the year.
Pilsener's popularity is a far cry from the farmhouse beers made from kveik yeast that used to dominate in the days gone by.
Oslo
The biggest brand in Oslo (and probably Norway) is Ringnes, dating back to the end of the 19th century.
Ringnes is generally seen as a safe choice. However, plenty of turn up their nose at the option of a Ringnes.
Furthermore, the fact the Carlsberg Group owns it and that Ringnes has absorbed so many other historic Oslo beer brands means it's seen as a bit corporate.
Like most major breweries in Oslo, its former brewing headquarters has been converted into flats. Still, a bar still exists on the former brewery site.
Frydenlund, despite now being owned by Ringnes, is seen as the slightly more upmarket alternative to Rignes – perhaps due to its former brewery being located in upmarket Bislett.
Founded in 1837, Schous Pils is less common than Frydenlund and Ringnes and is considered a premium option. Restaurants typically have Schous Pils on tap as it's a beer that goes well with food.
Schous Pils's image and reputation are strongly linked to the now trendy Grünerløkka district. These days, Schouskjelleren Mikrobryggeri operates in the basement of the former brewery.
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Oslo has led the charge for the craft beer and micro-brewery trend in Norway, and there are plenty of great pubs like Crowbar, RØØR, Amundsen Bryggeri, and Oslo Mikrobryggeri serving microbrews.
However, breweries like Grünerløkka Brygghus and Sagene Bryggeri are tied to the strong sense of local identity belonging to Oslo's neighbourhoods and former working-class districts.
Bergen
People from Bergen, wherever they end up in the world, are super proud of Bergen – to the extent other Norwegians often deride them for their sense of local pride.
It should, therefore, come as no surprise that people from Bergen are especially proud of the local brand, Hansa.
Hansa's name is steeped in history and refers to Bergen's importance as a Hanseatic trading port during medieval times.
For many, it tastes like Bergen. For others, it tastes like a decent and straightforward pilsner.
It can also be found in Oslo, but that'll be a non-starter for many who argue that a 'Bergen beer' shouldn't be found anywhere near Oslo.
The city is also home to 7 Fjell Bryggeri, named after the mountains that encircle the city, which puts its own twist on classic European beers.
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Drammen
While many take local pride in Bergen, Drammen has enjoyed a less-than-stellar reputation, something which it has spent decades trying to shake off.
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The city has a long industrial and maritime history, meaning it was designed with practicality in mind rather than aesthetics.
One perk of this industrial history, if not the architecture, is that it is home to Norway's oldest surviving brewery, which was established in 1834.
While Martin Ødegaard may be the city's most famous export today, a close second would be Aass Pilsner. Many in eastern Norway enjoy this beer for its fresh taste, even if, at a glance, its name might suggest a different taste entirely.
Trondheim
Trondheim's most famous beer is Dahl's Pils. While the E.C Dahls Bryggeri is owned by Rignes in Oslo, the beer remains Trondheim's pride.
Since its establishment in 1856, E.C Dahls has been a focal point for the local community in Trondheim by supporting local initiatives and has helped shape the city's beer culture.
In 2023, Dahls Pils won gold in the International Lager class in the prestigious European Beer Star competition, putting forward a case for Trondheim as Norway's best beer city. Dahls has also branched out and made various beers beyond the traditional pilsner, which have also proven popular with drinkers.
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Tromsø
The Mack Brewery was once the world's northernmost brewery and its beer hall, Ølhallen, is a must-see for anyone visiting the city.
The beer hall is located in the cellar of the traditional brewery and, since 1928, had been the first port of call for fishermen and trappers returning from Svalbard – with women being banned completely until the 1960s.
The brewery's most popular beer, Isbjørn (literally polar beer), is a nod to the city's location above the Arctic Circle and has a fresher taste than other pilsners on the list.
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Stavanger
The city of Stavanger is perhaps most associated with the oil trade. This has also meant a strong American presence in the city, although the ties between Stavanger and the US date back to the Emigrant ship Restauration, which made its way to American shores in 1825.
It should, therefore, come as no surprise that Lervig, founded in the early 2000s, is the city's most prominent brewery and that its most notable beer is their Lucky Jack American Pale Ale, which beer lovers enjoy for its easy-drinking nature.