Red or brown? Why Norwegians argue about julebrus
There are still a few weeks left until Christmas, but festive drinks are already in Norwegian stores. Julebrus is back, along with the debate over whether it should be red or brown. This season, Fanta has joined the competition, but for many customers, the benchmark remains the taste they have known since childhood.
Bottles of julebrus in a Norwegian store. Archival photo.
MN
Customers expect a taste they already know
Julebrus is a carbonated non-alcoholic drink sold for the Christmas season. Different producers offer their own recipes, often associated with a particular city or region. Attachment to a local flavour can endure for generations.
Ringnes, the producer of several varieties of julebrus, describes this category as exceptionally tied to tradition. In a statement from October 2025, the company said that customers expect both the taste and the appearance of the packaging to be preserved.
Its range includes Hamar og Lillehammer julebrus and Dahls julebrus, which Ringnes calls a favourite among the people of Trøndelag. Local names remain part of the drink's identity even when production is handled by a larger company.
Ringnes, the producer of several varieties of julebrus, describes this category as exceptionally tied to tradition. In a statement from October 2025, the company said that customers expect both the taste and the appearance of the packaging to be preserved.
Its range includes Hamar og Lillehammer julebrus and Dahls julebrus, which Ringnes calls a favourite among the people of Trøndelag. Local names remain part of the drink's identity even when production is handled by a larger company.
The brown version was meant to resemble beer in a glass
The history of Hamar Bryggeri shows that today's colours were not obvious from the beginning. According to the brewery, its early Christmas drink from the late 1950s was heavily spiced. Red varieties, and even a green one, appeared later.
In 1972, it was decided to develop a brown version. It was intended to stand apart from red, candy-like drinks and to resemble beer when poured into a glass, while remaining non-alcoholic. This is how Hamar Bryggeri describes the origins of this recipe.
In 1972, it was decided to develop a brown version. It was intended to stand apart from red, candy-like drinks and to resemble beer when poured into a glass, while remaining non-alcoholic. This is how Hamar Bryggeri describes the origins of this recipe.
Red has its defenders too
Aass of Drammen openly links the red colour of its julebrus to Christmas. On the producer's website, the colour is presented as part of a tradition the company wants to uphold.
However, the same company acknowledges that the flavour has been changed. In 2014, this was due to a shortage of one of the ingredients. Another recipe adjustment was introduced in 2023. Attachment to a familiar label does not therefore mean that a product remains exactly the same for decades.
However, the same company acknowledges that the flavour has been changed. In 2014, this was due to a shortage of one of the ingredients. Another recipe adjustment was introduced in 2023. Attachment to a familiar label does not therefore mean that a product remains exactly the same for decades.
Fanta chose red
This year's new product is Fanta Rød Julebrus. In a statement dated 1 October 2026, Coca-Cola announced a limited, sugar-free version to be introduced in Norwegian stores from week 40 of the year.
The brand chose the colour red and, in its launch announcement, directly referred to the well-known dispute. The new drink was announced in 0.5-litre bottles and four-packs of 0.33-litre cans.
The brand chose the colour red and, in its launch announcement, directly referred to the well-known dispute. The new drink was announced in 0.5-litre bottles and four-packs of 0.33-litre cans.
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