Viking Magazine - May/Jun 2024 - 10

Raising a Glass
Tradition
Montana-based beverage company is bringing a taste of Norwegian
tradition overseas, by making Norway's oldest and most beloved beer
available in North America | BY EMMA ENEBAK
When visitors pull into the railway station of the populous southeastern
municipality of Drammen, Norway, there are two things they are
likely to notice right away. One is the surging waters of the 192-mile-long
Drammen River, one of the longest rivers in Norway. And the other is
the massive fj ordside building that rests on its shore, which projects from
its central location almost as if a marquee for Norway's fi ſt h-largest city.
Inside these walls was born a tradition so old and valued, it has come to be
viewed as a foundational element of Norwegian culture-Aass Beer.
Aass Brewery is the oldest continuously running brewery in Norway,
and its award-winning Aass Beer is the oldest beer in Norway. Founded
by Poul Lauritz Aass in 1834, the brewery is still in the Aass family today.
Now in its fi ſt h generation, Aass Brewery's shares are divided between the
approximately 100 descendants of Poul Lauritz Aass.
When producing its beer, Aass Brewery has learned to strike a harmonious
balance between tradition and innovation. Along with techniques
rooted in Germany and the Czech Republic, Aass proudly follows the
tradition of Norwegian brewing, producing classic styles of beer while also
allowing for exploration
and growth
alongside the modern
beverage market.
A NAME WITH A STORY
The name Aass is pronounced " awes, " similar
to how one would pronounce the fi rst
syllable in the word " awesome. " It is derived
from the family surname Aass, which
translates loosely to the English word " hill. "
Aass Brewery's current CEO, Christian
August Knudsen Aass, is a fi fth-generation
descendent of founder Poul Lauritz Aass,
keeping the iconic name closely attached
to the daily operation of the brewery.
FROM NORWAY TO NORTH AMERICA
It is estimated there are more than
5 million people of Norwegian descent
living across the U.S. and Canada
today. When separated from their
homeland by oceans, what better way
for these Norwegian descendants
to reconnect with their roots than
raising a glass of the same beer their
ancestors enjoyed centuries ago?
Th anks to Norwegian Beverage Co.,
this impactful experience is now
possible. Based in Belgrade, Montana,
Norwegian Beverage Co. is committed
to bringing the one-of-a-kind beer to
the North American market.
Norwegian Beverage Co. was
founded in 2023 by Jørn Marki and
Duke Johnson. Distributing a variety
of canned and bottled Aass beer,
Norwegian Beverage Co. is excited to
bring a taste of home to those with
Norwegian roots, and to spread the
unique and signature taste of Norwegian
beer to beer lovers abroad.
Since 1834, the Norwegian-style
beer has been served and enjoyed as
a representation of heritage, identity
and tradition, and it will continue
to represent and serve the people-
from Norway to North America-for
years to come.
If you're located in North America
and are looking to raise your own
glass of Aass Beer, visit
norwegianbeverageco.com.
To read the story in full, visit
sofn.com/blog/aassbrewery.
10
May/Jun 2024
sonsofnorway.com
PHOTOS NORWEGIAN BEVERAGE CO. ILLUSTRATIONS (FROM LEFT) LUBOVCHIPURKO/ADOBE, MARIA/ADOBE
to
http://www.norwegianbeverageco.com http://www.sofn.com/blog/aassbrewery http://www.sonsofnorway.com
May/Jun 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of May/Jun 2024
