Market
Currently, the Norwegian beer market is dominated by two large brewers: The giant Carlsberg-Ringnes based in Oslo and Copenhagen, Denmark, and the smaller Hansa-Borg, based in Bergen and Sarpsborg. Each produce beer branded in a variety of traditional Norwegian beer brands, as well as foreign brands bottled on licence. This system is a result of the large-scale consolidation of Norwegian breweries that has taken place over the last 50 years.
Craft brewing has a long history in Norway, harking back to the days when no farm was complete without a brewhouse. Many structures found at old properties include a designated "bryggehus": a separate building where beer was produced. Home brewing in Norway is common, albeit understated (due to its association with home distilling, which is illegal) pastime. Examples can be found in Oslo at Oslo Mikrobryggeri, Scandinavia's first microbrewery and brewpub, and Nøgne Ø in Grimstad.
As with most countries in Europe and America, the most popular style of beer in Norway is pilsner-style pale lager. According to the Norwegian brewers' association, almost 92% of beer brewed in Norway is pale lager. In places, this is the only style of beer to be had, except at Christmas time, when Christmas beers become available. These are dark malt beers traditionally brewed for the holiday season.
Due to government restrictions, beers above 4.75% abv are only available from licensed premises or from the state-run Vinmonopolet ("wine monopoly") liquor stores. This has resulted in some foreign breweries decreasing the alcohol content in their beer in order to make them legal for supermarket retail.
Norway has limited availability of beers on tap in pubs and nightclubs. This is due to the custom of each pub signing a contract with one brewery, limiting them to providing draught beer from that brewery. In exchange, the brewery will provide the bar with all the systems required for pulling beer, including tanks, taps, and glasses. In place of the tap selection, bars often carry a number of bottled beers. However, these usually carry a much higher price tag.
Read more about this topic: Beer In Norway
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