You can visit, but don't drink. Norway wants to change alcohol sales regulations
Norway is preparing to change the rules for selling strong alcohol. Local distilleries may be granted the right to sell their own products directly to visitors.
Akvavit is a stronger alcoholic beverage with noticeable herbal and spice notes.
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A majority in the Storting wants to ease alcohol regulations. This concerns beverages over 4.7 percent. Currently, producers must use the Vinmonopolet system. This limits on-site sales, even after tours of distilleries or wineries.
An important barrier for distilleries may end. Storting wants new sales rules
Atlungstad Håndverksdestilleri by Lake Mjøsa operates in a place with a long tradition. According to Romain Jourdan, quoted by TV2, akvavit (a local Norwegian spirit) has been produced there since 1855. The facility is visited by over 20,000 people annually. Some tourists want to buy a bottle after the tour.
Today, they cannot do this at the distillery. Jourdan says guests have to go to a Vinmonopolet outlet. For many tourists, this is hard to understand. In other countries, buying alcohol directly from the producer is part of the visit.
Today, they cannot do this at the distillery. Jourdan says guests have to go to a Vinmonopolet outlet. For many tourists, this is hard to understand. In other countries, buying alcohol directly from the producer is part of the visit.
Tourists at distilleries and wineries cannot buy the bottles of alcohol on display.Photo: Pixabay
Most in parliament support on-site sales
A broad majority in the Storting supports the changes. This includes the Labour Party, Progress Party, Conservative Party, Socialist Left Party, Centre Party, Reds, and Greens. Parliament wants the government to quickly present a draft amendment to the law. Only the Norwegian Christian Democrats oppose it.
The new rules are to allow the sale of a limited amount of self-produced alcohol. Politicians point to tourism and the local economy. Erlend Larsen from the Conservative Party emphasizes that the solution is not intended to undermine the role of Vinmonopolet. The debate includes examples from Sweden and Finland.
The new rules are to allow the sale of a limited amount of self-produced alcohol. Politicians point to tourism and the local economy. Erlend Larsen from the Conservative Party emphasizes that the solution is not intended to undermine the role of Vinmonopolet. The debate includes examples from Sweden and Finland.
The industry emphasizes that clear controls will be needed. Lars Ole Ørjasæter from the Norske destillerier organization says that producers will have to comply with the new rules once they are defined. Tor André Johnsen from the Progress Party expects the draft to go to consultation before the summer holidays. According to him, the Storting could address the issue in October, and sales of local Christmas akvavit could start before Christmas.
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