Tastings run three times a week, and the tap room opens Fridays. I can’t even count how many people have visited us for a tasting session because they flew with Norwegian a few years ago.”Īs for what to drink, Larsen says the Spitsbergen Pilsner is the best-seller, followed by the Pale Ale and IPA.

Larsen says a two-year deal with Norwegian Air to put Svalbard Bryggeri canned beers on all its long-haul flights proved a turning point for international interest: “It got our volumes up but it was also a great commercial for us and for Svalbard. Svalbard Bryggeri now employs several full-time staff, supplies every bar and restaurant in Svalbard, exports to Norway and Europe, runs tours and tastings, and opens its tap room for locals and tourists alike. Over the course of several years, the initial plan for a simple microbrewery has blossomed, with capacity at the old port facility doubling. Everyone in the town knew he was working on the application, and most of the local people were on board from the early days.” A success story for Svalbard Johansen still works as a pilot today, so much of the day-to-day work at the Brewery is taken care of by assistant manager Ida Larsen: “Robert had an idea of what he wanted to create, something for the local community. A Norwegian law from 1928 forbade the production of alcohol on Svalbard to combat alcoholism among mine workers.Īfter more than five years dealing with the authorities in Oslo, Johansen was finally able to get the law changed in 2014. A perfectly balanced and refreshing beer.

A keen homebrewer, Johansen wanted to start a microbrewery to create a true Svalbard product. A gold-colored, light-bodied German-style beer with crisp, floral hop aroma.

Polar pilsner beer near me