If the amount of beer related shows and events is anything to go by 2010 is all set to be a breakthrough year for craft beer in Sweden.
For years the only high-profile place to ‘display your wares’ was at the Stockholm Beer and Whisky Festival. Personally I’ve been involved either in front or behind stands at every show since 2000, when I recall it evolved from a beer-only show and invited whisky through the door for the very first time.
Since then some years have been better than others but the downs have been clearly outnumbered by the ups. In recent years the show has refocused on beers and encouraged the micros and their representatives to attend and in doing so has helped promote their growth.
The problem till now has been that outside of the SBWF there’s been very little else for the average beer joe to visit. Sure there were a few gatherings of ‘hardcore’ beer enthusiasts in Sweden and if you were really keen you could always take yourself over to Denmark or the UK for one of their major beer festivals.
But this year getting to try some great craft beers is going to get a hell of a lot easier. The company behind the SBWF is hitting the road with a ‘mini show’ in Sundsvall entitled the Sundsvall Beer and Whisky Festival and Taste Experience between the 26th-27th March.
The SBWF will of course be back at its normal slot in late September/early November as usual.
Also new this year is Linköping’s first ever beer festival, Linköping Beer Expo, which takes place on April 10th.
Several of the most interesting beer importers will be attending with brands from both Sweden and abroad. Many of the leading Swedish micros will be there so if you’re keen to get a close-up look at the state of beer Sweden right now this might be a ‘budget option’ compared to the SBWF.
Add to these events the excellent Örebro Beer and Whisky Festival (which I assume will once again be held in November after having made real progress in just it’s second year in 2009), the smaller Gothenburg Beer Festival between April 22-24th (which in my opinion really needs a radical make-over if it is to grow into a festival worthy of the city of G) and SMÖF on the 29-30th October and things look very bright indeed for craft beer here.
If I’ve missed out a major beer event let me know and I’ll add it here.
I’m personally a big fan of the homemade beer festivals. The biggest being the Swedish Championship, on the 24th of april in Gothenburg. I notice now that it’s the same date as the Gothenburg Beer Festival you write about above.
But I think you covered the beer festival scene very well. Can’t think of any major festivals besides the ones you mentioned.
I can also warmly recommend the Swedish Championship, having been to the one in Kalmar in 2007.
The micros were out in force that day, and the crowd was small enough that you could get to the stands, try a beer and talk to the people there.
Also I will be there myself and participate with two beers. A honey porter and a DIPA. Should have some ”drav bröd” and chocolate honey truffels to go with the beer as well. It’s the first time I participate so it’s going to be allot of fun.