Beer in Finland

Finland has a long beer history. It dates back to the Middle Ages. The first brewery in Finland and Nordic countries was Sinebrychoff, founded in 1819. "Suomalaisen oluen päivä", or the Finnish Beer Day is celebrated on the 13th of October to commemorate the founding of Oy Sinebrychoff Ab and the birth of Finnish beer. The largest Finnish brewers are Hartwall, Olvi and Sinebrychoff. Most of the beers brewed in Finland are pale lager.

Sahti is a traditional Finnish beer, which contains some oats and was traditionally made at home. It was often praised by the beer connoisseur Michael Jackson in his writings, although not very popular anymore it often is still served at weddings and other special occasions.

Finnish breweries

• Auran panimo
• Bock
• C. A. Robsahmin Portteripanimo (sold in 1895)
• Finlandia Sahti
• Hartwall (Karjala)
  • Lapin Kulta (owned by Hartwall)
• Koskipanimo
• Kotkan Höyrypanimo
• Laitilan Wirvoitusjuomatehdas (Kukko)
• Lammin Sahti
• Mallaskoski (KUOHU, HÄJY, KOMIA, MAKIA)
• Malmgårdin Panimo
• Nokian Panimo (Keisari, Året Runt)
• Olvi (Olvi, Sandels)
• Palvasalmi (bankrupt)
• Saimaan Olut (SAIMAA, MARSALKKA, ROKRAMMI, LUOSTARI)
• Sinebrychoff (Karhu, Koff)
  • Porin panimo (owned by Sinebrychoff)
• Stadin Panimo
• Suomenlinnan Panimo
• Vakka-Suomen Panimo
• Ålands Byggeri (Stallhagen)

Finnish brewery restaurants

• Hollolan Hirvi
• Panimoravintola Beer Hunter's
• Panimoravintola Bruuveri
• Panimoravintola Huvila
• Panimoravintola Koulu
• Panimoravintola Plevna
• Perho (restaurant)
• Ravintola Herman

Most important Finnish beers

• Karhu
• Karjala
• Koff
• Lapin Kulta
• Olvi
• Sandels

Annual Finnish beer events

• Helsinki Beer Festival (held since 1997)
• Isojano-tapahtuma (held since 1993)
• Sahdinvalmistuksen SM-kisat (Finnish sahti brewing championships, held since 1992)
• Suuret oluet – pienet panimot (held since 2003)