At the opening of Czech Beer Day 2025, held in the garden of the Czech Embassy in Oslo on September 23, Ambassador David Červenka emphasized that Czech beer and Norwegian consumer habits are united by a focus on quality, tradition, and authenticity. “Norwegians are known for their love of quality and tradition. These values have been carried by Czech beer for more than a thousand years,” he noted, adding: “Today, there are more than 500 breweries in the Czech Republic. The goal of this event is therefore to present not only the world-famous brands, but also other products to the Norwegian professional public.”

Four Czech breweries brought their beers to Oslo – Břevnov Monastic Brewery of St. Adalbert, Pivovary CZ Group (Holba, Litovel, Zubr), Primátor Brewery, and Záhora Brewery. Their representatives took part in a two-day program in the Norwegian capital which, in addition to the presentation at the embassy, included an introduction to local conditions and the specifics of the Norwegian market. The breweries had the opportunity to build contacts with Norwegian importers, distributors, representatives of the state-owned Vinmonopolet, the Brewers’ Association, and the media.

Michal Sontodinomo, Director of CzechTrade Scandinavia, explained the rationale for selecting the breweries: “We wanted to show Norwegian partners that the Czech beer scene offers a broad spectrum – from traditional breweries with long histories, to young and innovative ones, as well as established brands already operating in neighboring Nordic countries or winning awards on the international stage.”

The Czech Beer Day also featured a guided tasting led by Norwegian beer sommelier Espen Smith. He introduced guests to the characteristics of the individual beers and highlighted their variety. The event also drew attention to the growing trend of beer tourism. “In recent years, we have seen a rise in beer tourism. One popular example is the Krkonoše Beer Trail,” said Lucie Vallin, Director of CzechTourism Scandinavia, who co-organized the event.

Guests from across the Norwegian beer sector attended the gathering, including representatives of the state-owned Vinmonopolet, which plays a key role in the distribution of alcoholic beverages in Norway. For Czech breweries, the event represented an important opportunity to build personal contacts and strengthen export potential.