Beer from Finland isn’t as well-known as English, German, or Czech beer. Nonetheless, the Finns drink quite a significant amount — and to cater to this demand, you will find plenty of Finnish beer brands.
Like many of the other Nordic countries, alcohol sales in Finland are relatively restricted. While you can purchase beverages in bars and restaurants, you will need to go to a state-run alcohol store if you wish to get it elsewhere.
Prices are also relatively high, which is partially due to the taxes imposed on alcoholic drinks.
Finnish beer comes in all shapes and sizes, with cutting-edge craft beer brewers standing side-by-side with the more established brands. You will also find drinks for special occasions throughout the year, with Christmas being one example.
If you’d like to learn more about beer from Finland, you’re in the right place. This article will cover a little about the Finnish drinking scene, but we’ll primarily focus on the best Finnish beer brands. And with that out of the way, let’s get started.
Do Finnish people drink beer?
Finns are known to drink a lot, and this is true in many cases. However, drinking during the week is uncommon. You won’t see many people in Finland having a beer with their dinner on a Wednesday as you might in Germany, for example.
If we look at World Population Review, we’ll see that, on average, Finland drinks more beer per year than any of the other Nordic countries. The average Finn drinks 10.65 liters of beer per year, though men drink far more than women in most cases.
While Finnish men drink 16.56 liters of alcohol per year on average, that number is just 4.99 liters for women.
Statista also has statistics on Finnish alcohol consumption. Finns tend to drink less now than was previously the case; in 2005, for example, the average person in Finland drank 12.1 liters of alcohol.
It’s important to note that figures in 2020 and 2021 were likely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of bars for extended periods — along with other alcohol-related restrictions.
While Finland’s alcohol consumption is high, it’s not as high as in other parts of Europe. For example, Germans drink around 12.79 liters on average per year. The UK consumes 11.45 liters, and Spaniards drink 12.67 liters.
In Finland, beer is the go-to alcoholic drink for many people — especially on nights out.
What beer do Finns drink?
Before we look at Finnish breweries and beer brands from Finland, we should identify the type of beer that Finns drink. In many cases, lager is the go-to choice of beer for Finns. You will see this often served in bars throughout Helsinki, along with other parts of the country.
Similarly, you will see Finnish beer of a lager form in alcohol stores throughout Finland.
In more recent years, innovators have sought to challenge those traditional beer flavors with their own twists. You will now find a wider selection of Indian Pale Ales (IPAs), for example, than would previously have been the case.
In addition to craft beers, you will also find drinks like porter on the menu in several places.
The most popular Finnish beers are typically made by the Sinebrychoff Finnish brewery, which has a market share of almost 47% in the country.
Can you buy Finnish beer in America?
While we recommend visiting Finland, it’s not the easiest place to get to. Tucked away in the corner of Northern Europe, the country is three hours by plane from London and eight hours from New York City. From Los Angeles, expect the journey to take 10-and-a-half hours.
With that in mind, you might want to try buying Finnish beer in the US instead. And that begs the question: Is this even possible?
The answer is that it depends on where you go. If you’re in a bigger city, like New York City, you might have an easier time finding it. But in more rural parts of the country, things will become significantly more difficult.
You can import beer to the US from Finland, but you’ll need to consider potential customs charges. Luckily, you shouldn’t need to worry about personal limits.
As mentioned on the US Customs and Border Protection website:
“There is no federal limit on the amount of alcohol someone may import into the US for personal use, however, large quantities might raise the suspicion that the importation is for commercial purposes, and a CBP Officer could require you to obtain an Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) import license before releasing it.”
You will need to be at least 21 years old if you want to import beer into the US.
How do you buy Finnish beer in Finland?
Now that we’ve spoken about whether it’s possible to buy Finnish beer in the US, let’s talk about purchasing it in Finland. If you’re from Norway, Sweden, or Iceland, the country’s alcohol laws won’t surprise you. But for those from countries like the UK, you’ll need to consider a couple of things.
If you go to a bar or restaurant in Finland, you can buy beer. You will find bottles in most places, and you can also get beer on tap, depending on where you go.
Away from bars and restaurants, you will typically need to purchase your beer at one of the country’s state-run liquor stores. These shops are known as Alko, and you will find them in most major cities — including Helsinki, Turku, Tampere, and Oulu.
Keep in mind that opening times might be shorter on holidays, and you cannot buy your drinks from these stores on a Sunday.
Many Finns actually go elsewhere to get their beer. For example, the ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn takes around two hours; when on board, you can purchase drinks to take with you upon your return to Finland.
To buy beer in Finland, you must be at least 18 years old.
What are the best Finnish beer brands?
Now that we’ve discussed the basics of Finnish ale and beer laws, let’s look at some of the best Finnish beer brands. Below are our favorites for you to consider trying.
Karhu
If you ever visit Finland, you will almost certainly see Karhu beer in the bars and alcohol stores you enter. This lager is one of the most popular beverages in the country, and it’s often an entry point for many people when they begin drinking.
Karhu is one of Sinebrychoff’s main beer brands, and the drink has been around since 1929. Originally, the drinks were brewed at a brewery in Pori — a city on Finland’s west coast. However, Sinebrychoff has brewed Karhu in Kerava since 2006; Kerava is part of the Greater Helsinki area.
Sinebrychoff bought Karhu’s beer brand in 1972. The two main Karhu beers are sold in alcohol volume percentages of either 4.6% or 5.3%. However, you will also find some that are weaker — and a stronger one that is 8%.
Olvi
Olvi is another of the most popular Finnish beer brands, and it’s also one of the oldest ones. The company has been operating since 1878; today, it also produces soft drinks alongside its beers.
You will find a wide selection of Olvi beers on the market. Olvi III is one of the most popular ones; it has 4.5% alcohol volume and is largely based on malt. On top of that, you will find another — titled Olvi Export — which is 5.2% in alcohol volume.
Olvi also has two other beers at different scales of alcohol percentage. Olvi Ykkönen has a 2.7% volume, whereas Olvi Tuplapukki is 8.5%. The Tuplapukki beer is the best-selling beer in Finland, with an alcohol percentage that exceeds 5.5%.
In more recent years, Olvi has also gotten innovative and developed a selection of IPA drinks. And if you find yourself in Finland around Christmas time, keep an eye out for Olvi’s range of Christmas beers.
Olvi, like many other major Finish companies, trades on the Helsinki Stock Exchange.
Karjala
Another popular beer from Finland is Karjala, which is consumed by people young and old. The drink originally came onto the scene in 1932, but its first production stint only lasted for 12 years. Since resuming operations in 1948, however, it has managed to continue pleasing Finns to this day.
Having said that, its journey has been far from straightforward.
One of Karjala’s most iconic moments came in 1995. That year, Finland won the World Cup in ice hockey — and if you’ve ever visited the country, you’ll know how big of a deal that is. Players on the winning team all featured on the bottles, and the drink was known as the lion beer.
In 2017, Karjala released the beer again as a limited edition.
Karjala, like the other beers we’ve mentioned so far, has more than one version on the market. And again, you will find different tastes and alcohol percentages. Karjala III has an alcohol percentage of 4.6%, whereas Karjala IVA is 5.2%.
Karjala IVB is the strongest of its beers, with an alcohol percentage of 8%. Meanwhile, Karjala Terva is 4.6% — and Karjala Rehti is 4.3%.
Lapin Kulta
We haven’t spent too much time in the north of Finland yet, so let’s change that with the next addition to our list. Lapin Kulta translates in English to Lapland Gold; no prizes for guessing which part of the country it’s from.
Lapin Kulta actually didn’t get its name until 1963; the brewery it was made in, in Tornio, had been around since 1873. Uniquely, the company uses its own strain of yeast; you will also find malt barley in the drink.
Although Lapin Kulta originated in Tornio, its drinks are now produced in Lahti — which is much further south. Hartwall owns Lapin Kulta; the international beer brand Royal Unibrew has Hartwall as part of its portfolio.
Lapin Kulta’s beers range between 2.7% and 5.2%. The brand is the fourth most popular beer brand in Finland.
Fat Lizard
Fat Lizard is one of the newer Finnish brands on our list, having only been formed in 2014. The brewery is based in Espoo, which is part of the Greater Helsinki area.
You will find several Fat Lizard beers in Finland, including the American-style lager — which is 5% in alcohol volume. You can also choose from several other lagers, but that’s not all. Fat Lizard has a wide range of IPAs; if wheat beer is your thing, you will also find something that meets your preferences.
With Fat Lizard, you can also give gluten-free beer a try.
If you want to try Finnish ale, Fat Lizard is an excellent option for that as well. You will find its drinks in a selection of restaurants in the country, alongside alcohol stores and the webshop.
Stallhagen
If you look at a map of Finland, it can be very easy to miss the Åland Islands. In fact, many people don’t even realize that they’re Finnish. This scenic archipelago is in the middle of Sweden and Finland; it’s around five-and-a-half hours from both Stockholm and Turku.
Swedish is the official language here, too.
Stallhagen is one of the main breweries on the Åland Islands, and it’s another relatively new Finnish beer brand. The brewery has been around since 2004, and since then, it has made significant moves in the domestic market.
If you want to try one of Stallhagen’s beers, you will find a decent selection to choose from. And if you’re into dark beers, you’ll love this brand. The Baltic porter is particularly appealing, as is the bock.
Stallhagen also has a selection of wheat beers, along with numerous pale ales. You’ll also find one with a low alcohol percentage that goes well when trying some of Åland’s wonderful seafood.
Kukko
Kukko is another popular Finnish brand, and its main specialty is in gluten-free beverages. The brand has a selection of beverages ranging in alcohol percentages, including pilsners and porters.
The beers made by Kukko are also powered by wind power, and the brand got its name from the Finnish word for rooster; hence the rooster logo as well.
Today, Kukko is owned by Laitilan Wirvoitusjuomatehdas. Maybe it’s time to sample one of the company’s beers before trying to pronounce that?…
Koff
Koff is another arm of the Sinebrychoff dynasty and another of the most popular beer brands from Finland. It’s one of the older drinks on our list, having originally been brewed in 1821. When looking for Koff beers, you’ll find a wide range; these vary in alcohol percentage from 2.5% to 7.5%.
Many, however, are around the 5% mark.
You will find numerous flavors of Koff beers, ranging from lager to IPA. The company also makes a selection of other alcoholic drinks, too, such as gin and vodka.
Koff sponsors various hockey teams in Finland, so you’ll probably see its logo somewhere if you choose to go and watch a game on your visit.
Teerenpeli
Teerenpeli is better known for its spirits, but you will also find a selection of beers in its collection. Besides the standard pilsner, you can also try organic lagers and wheat beer. On top of that, Teerenpeli also has an IPA that you may wish to sample while in Finland.
Besides its beers and spirits, you will also find a selection of ciders from Teerenpeli. The company has restaurants where you can try its drinks in multiple Finnish cities, including Helsinki, Jyväskylä, and Tampere.
Sandels
As we edge closer to the end of our beer from Finland list, it wouldn’t make sense to leave out Sandels. The drink has been manufactured by Olvi since 1973, and out of all the brands we’ve mentioned, you could argue that it has the coolest packaging by a pretty considerable distance.
Sandels features one of Finland’s greatest-ever war heroes, and you will find a standard 4.7% lager if you’re going for the popular option. But that’s not all; you will find drinks with several other alcohol percentages as well.
You can find Sandels beer throughout Finland, and several online marketplaces also sell the product.
Finnish breweries and beer brands
So, there you have it — that’s our list of our favorite beer from Finland. Finnish breweries and beer brands aren’t known worldwide, but you can find a good selection of them.
The beer culture in this small, remote country up north is richer than you think; you will find several old and new brands making their mark. And despite Finland’s restrictive alcohol laws, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a beverage while you’re on your visit.
Much of the beer in Finland is easy to buy if you’re in another EU country; for those that aren’t, things will become much more challenging. When trying Finnish beer, you will find all kinds of flavors; you can stick with the standard lager if you want, but IPAs and porters are also a possibility.
We’ve spoken a lot about beer from Finland in this article, but not much about Finland as a country. If you want to learn more about Finland and why it’s often left out of the Scandinavian conversation, we’ve got you covered.
Check out our full guide to why Finland is not considered part of Scandinavia in many cases.
