Beer in Finland

Finland boasts a rich history of beer-making, highlighted by its oldest commercial brewery, Sinebrychoff, established in 1819. This brewery is not only the oldest in Finland but also in the entire Nordic region. Each year, on October 13th, Finns celebrate Finnish Beer Day to honor the founding of Oy Sinebrychoff Ab and the birth of Finnish beer.

Today, the major players in Finland's beer scene include Hartwall, Olvi, and Sinebrychoff, with pale lagers being the preferred choice for many. However, Sahti, a traditional Finnish farmhouse ale, remains a noteworthy mention. Sahti is primarily made from rye and barley malts, and occasionally oats, and is traditionally filtered through straw or juniper twigs. The modern version of this ancient brew features a distinctive banana flavor, thanks to the bread yeast used in fermentation. While it is not as common as it once was, Sahti still makes appearances at special events such as weddings.

Upon joining the EU in 1995, Finland reformed its beer taxation policy, basing it on alcohol content. As a result, stronger beers can only be sold in specialized outlets like the state-owned Alko liquor stores. The Finnish beer market is largely dominated by international giants such as Carlsberg and Heineken, although Olvi stands out as the largest Finnish-owned brewery.

Finland also experienced its own Prohibition era, lasting nearly 13 years from 1919 to 1932, which ended following a national referendum. Today, the country is home to a diverse range of breweries, from large commercial operations to smaller microbreweries. Brewery restaurants offer unique dining experiences, and Finland hosts several beer events annually, including the Helsinki Beer Festival and the Finnish Sahti Brewing Championships.