We did one of these alcoholiday guides back in 2017, but the beer scene is a revolving one, so here is an update.
Our heart goes out to everyone who doesn’t live in Rogaland. We feel your pain, and we are here to help. So here’s our updated Beercation Guide to the Stavanger region!
You really should visit, you know. Stavanger is a wonderful place. Take it from me – I wasn’t born here but I came here as fast as I could.
Stavanger is your quintessential Norwegian coastal village with tiny, white wooden houses, a lively harbour, a refreshing scent of the ocean, the sound of seagulls (they’re all named Steven), and an unpredictable weather. Living here, you quickly learn that no outdoor activity should be postponed due to the weather, or you’ll end up never venturing outdoors at all. Bring a coat!
At What’s BrewingBecause of its oil industry, Stavanger is also one of the most diverse and international cities in Norway – and despite being the forth largest city in Norway, its compact city center makes it perfect for a weekend getaway. You can get here by plane directly from a great number of European cities, or you can transit via e.g. London, Amsterdam, Copenhagen or Oslo. From the airport, you’re just 15 minutes away from the city. Just hop on a bus, Gus!
Book yourself into a centrally located hotel, and when you get there, just drop your bags on the floor and head back out.
Stavanger is now at your feet, and you are its king. Or queen. Whatever you prefer. You are our guest and we are quite liberal.
It’s easy. You won’t need to rent a car. This guide will tell you where to go, how to get there, and what to do once there. You don’t have to learn Norwegian first, we all speak fluent English – and the drunker we are, the more fluently we speak it. But if you want to learn just one Norwegian word, then let it be ØL ( /œl/ ). Norwegian for beer.
DAY ONE
Let your first port of call be Cardinal. If you arrive in the evening and you want to chill and hit just one place, this is where you should go. It’s centrally located, near the harbour, tucked into a narrow pedestrian street with houses so crooked and bent it’s a like a drunken troll has used them for support. Just take a look at the houses across the street as you are entering Cardinal. Trust us, you don’t want to see that for the first time as you’re leaving and wonder “Shit, did I really drink this much?”
Image: CardinalCardinal is the original Stavanger craft beer pub – arguably the best in Norway – and they have been rated top 50 globally on RateBeer for the past 14 years or so. The place has the look and feel of a traditional British pub, but with a beer selection few can match. You’ll be in good hands here, the staff are all very knowledgeable.
DAY TWO
This will sound mad, but we’re suggesting you leave Stavanger and head to its sister cities of Bryne – the home of Erling Braut Haaland who’s famous for playing for the wrong Manchester club – and Sandnes – a town not famous for anything other than its name sounding a bit like “sadness”. Coincidence? You decide.
To get there, take the train from Stavanger. It follows the fjord past Hillevåg where Stavanger’s first brewery was located, and takes you past Sandnes and to Bryne in no time. As experienced beer travellers, we know to begin at the furthest destination and work our way back to the hotel bed.
There are two great reasons for going to Bryne, and they are both pubs.
Mellombels is just a two minute walk from the train station. It’s a hidden gem and well worth the trip to Bryne alone. It’s also a great place to sample brews from nearby RYGR brewery.
Saunter for three minutes more down the same road, and you’ll get to the magnificent brew pub that is Brix – a personal favourite and everything you want a brew pub to be: Great food, often incorporating beer in their recipes, and amazing beers brewed on location. Have your lunch here! We suggest you start with their German brew master’s excellent take on lagers: Kellerpils and Gammale Mann. The latter is a Czech pilsner. Locally sourced, floor malted grains from Jærmalt are used throughout.
“Split the B” at your own riskWhen you’re done in Bryne, get back on the train and let it transport you to Sandnes and Melkebaren – literally The Milk Bar.
Image: MelkebarenNot that they serve milk. Or perhaps they do, but no one bothers ordering any because this place has 31 beers on tap and an extensive list of bottled beers. All in all, there’s more than 300 beers to choose from.
When it’s time to return to Stavanger, just put one foot in front of the other until you are back at the train station and jump on the first train headed north. Whether you need to empty the tank, or fill it up, on the way, hop off the train at Jåttåvågen and stumble downhill to Zip 4020, a brilliant little neighbourhood pub and, officially or unofficially, the brew tap of nearby Jåttå Gårdsbryggeri, a farmhouse brewery focusing on local ingredients.
Image: Zip 4020Back in town, we suggest you spend what’s left of the evening exploring one or two pubs on the “outskirts” of town.
ØST is found in Stavanger’s eastern, working class neighbourhood. Øst simply means east. It’s also an abbreviation for Øl, Svette, Tårer, or Beer, Sweat, Tears.
Image: ØSTYou are now on historic grounds. This used to be the city’s brewery. Built in 1899, it was in continuous operation in this location until 1974. This was also the home of world renowned former beer festival What’s Brewing. ØST is not a large place, but it has an impressive selection of local and imported beers. Have a look at the toilet floor where treasures are buried. If you’re feeling peckish, there’s a street food joint just round the corner, ForTou, which makes some killer bahn mi which they will deliver to your table in ØST.
Did we mention Lervig yet? Yes, Stavanger is the home of Lervig, and nowhere else on this planet can you find a broader selection, or fresher versions, of their beers – and the best place for it, is their own brew pub Lervig Local. Not a bad place to end the day, huh? And one where you can grab some dinner as well.
Image: LervigDAY THREE
It is party time, and there’s only one place to be: #Fargegaten, literally The Colour Street, or Øvre Holmegate, which is its actual name. You’ll understand why everyone calls it Fargegaten once you are there. This short street in the middle of Stavanger is packed with unique places with one thing in common: They are waiting to serve you some amazing beers. And they all do “utepils” – outdoor drinking – a favorite Norwegian pastime, more often indulged in despite the weather than because of it.
Start in the western end of the street, near the harbour and Victoria Hotel, and work your way eastwards. Don’t worry if it’s raining, the bars are just a few drunken steps apart. We’re actually only mentioning a few of them here – feel free to explore!
Image: På KornetPå Kornet is your starting point. This gastro pub, which opens at 12 on Saturdays, is located in the basement of an old bank building. There are 20 beers on tap to choose from, many of which are local, and a decent bottle selection as well. Try the cheese and charcuterie board if you’re only after a snack.
Next up is Cirkus, and now you’re in #Fargegaten proper. Perhaps keep those shades on? Try the hot dog at Cirkus. They have plenty of beers to flush it down with. The decor may be eclectic, but the place is always buzzing. It’s a see and be seen kinda locale.
Image: Cirkus
Cross the street on a diagonal, and you are in Hanekam. It opens from 10am as a cafe, and turns into a lively coctail bar in the evening.
Image: Hanekam
Image: Bøker & BørstNext up is Bøker og Børst, voted ‘Best Venue in Stavanger and Sandnes’ in 2016. On tap are 7 permanent ‘classics’ and 9 rotating craft beers. Done? Now, turn back around and do the whole thing over again in the opposite order.
BUT YOU WANT MORE, DON’T YOU?
Have we not sold it to you yet? Are you not convinced? Not yet in an alcoholiday mood? Well, we haven’t even mentioned Salikatt yet. On Untappd, they are ranked as one the absolute best Norwegian breweries, only narrowly beaten by one other brewery, a mead producer, and the Apal cider house – which incidentally is also located in Rogaland.
What made Salikatt famous, are their NEIPAs. They rule the land of juicy IPAs. Salikatt’s tap room is open once a week only – on Saturdays from 6pm – and you should not leave town without having visited them.
Image: SalikattIf you wanna try to visit any of the other craft breweries, send them an email a few days in advance and they may be able to help you out. You’ll find their contact details via links on this page.
Wanna grab some cans to enjoy at home (or at the hotel room)? Head to one of Vinmonopolet‘s many local shops. This is Norway’s monopoly off license for alcohol with a kick (anything above 4.7% ABV), and they will have a decent selection of local goodies.
So, why are you hesitating?
Welcome to Stavanger, your beer is waiting for you!
Check out this link for a curated list of beer related events taking place during your stay.
PS – There’s a ton of stuff you can do that doesn’t involve beer if you absolutely must. If you need something spectacular to convince your significant other that Stavanger is the next place you should visit, then take a look at this.
Bon voyage!