November 7, 2014
In the Spirit: When in Sweden, Skål!
Kristen Siebecker READ TIME: 6 MIN.
Sweden is known for many things, including IKEA, ABBA, the Nobel Prize, Vikings, and of course, Absolut vodka. But have you heard of Snaps, Aquavit, Br�nnvin or Punsch? Have you had a Swedish whiskey, beer or gin? Maybe these alcoholic beverages aren't as popular (yet) in the U.S., but the Swedes are making strides in the breadth and quality of adult beverages.
The Swedes also have a fascinating history of drinking that makes this country unique. In Stockholm, they even have a museum dedicated to it. The The Spritmuseum, located on Djurg�rdsv�gen in a row of terrific museums, is the place to go for booze-inspired art installations as well as the superb permanent exhibit, "Sweden: Spirits of a Nation." For this tour you can purchase a "manual," which is a tasting kit of four different flavored "snaps" along with a little snack pairing that coincides with different portions of the exhibit.
Each station represents the traditional drinking habits of a particular season, starting with orange-spiced snaps paired with chocolate in spring and culminating in a spray of fusel oil in the dark Swedish winter. Photos, music and clever installations provide a backdrop for imbibing through the year. There is even a mock hangover room where the lights brighten then dim, then a voice appears out of nowhere to ask if you're okay...been there, right?
EDGE offers our five favorite Swedish spirits (including a beer) that you should keep an eye out for - better yet, head to Stockholm and try them in their natural surroundings.
Mackmyra Swedish Whiskey
Mackmyra Swedish Whisky has been around since 1998, founded by a group of eight friends that were inspired during the course of a ski weekend to make their own whisky. The unique addition of Swedish oak adds spiciness and Swedish smoke. Peated malt using peat from a nearby bog with added fresh juniper twigs also imbues a unique aromatic and flavor profile.
Along with Makmyra's commitment to using local barley and small casks, they also tout that there are no additives, which gives them a unique place in the history of small batch whisky distilling. There is also a program to create your own personal 30-liter cask and follow it from production to bottling. You can decide how much Swedish oak or malt you want to add and how long you want to age it in their on-premise cellar located on Fj�derholmarnas (Feather Islands), just a 20-minute boat ride from downtown Stockholm. In the U.S. you can find Brukswhisky, a light, clean and fresh style not to be missed by whisky lovers.
Feather Islands Brewery
While still on the Feather Islands, you can discover a couple of young guys who used to work at Mackmyra but also had a passion for beer making. Enter Fj�derholmarnas Bryggeri, which translates as Feather Islands Brewery. Like an open kitchen in a restaurant, Pelle and Andreas opened their brewpub right next to their tiny brewing room this past spring as a way to integrate the two experiences.
Their brews run from an IPA made from light New Zealand hops to a German style lager called 5.2 Knop. The first beer they ever brewed was an American Pale Ale or APA, which also means "monkey" in Swedish, hence the name Monkey Business APA!
Hernö Gin
Jon Hillgren loves gin so much that in 2011 he founded Hern� Gin Distillery, Sweden's first dedicated gin distillery and the northernmost one in the world. The gin is certified organic and uses some of the best botanicals from around the world, including juniper from Hungary and local ingredients such as lingonberries.
Aquavit
Aquavit means "Water of Life" and Sweden makes a lot of them - more than 20 different brands. Aquavit's basic production is similar to vodka. It is a spirit distilled from grains or potatoes and then flavoring is added. Traditional ingredients include caraway, cumin and dill as main aromatics along with cinnamon, fennel and citrus. If you want a classic food paring, it's herring and Aquavit.
Aquavit goes by other names like "Snaps," which is more of a term for how it is drunk as a shot, or Br�nnvin which is any type of flavored, distilled alcohol including Aquavit. The other mandatory custom with Aquavit is singing, and there are dozens of Swedish drinking songs that must be sung once the Aquavit has made its way to the table. If you want a classic, be on the lookout for O.P. Anderson.
Punsch
Punsch is not as popular in modern days but it is a spirit that has a significant Swedish tradition behind it. It's not something that you will generally see at the bar or a restaurant but you will find it in many homes served with pea soup on Thursday nights. Its base is arrack and is is distilled from sugar, rice, lemon juice and spice. It's sweet, but has a unique and pleasant flavor. Try Roslags Punsch, which uses locally farmed and/or sourced ingredients.
Heading to Sweden? Visit Sweden's "Food & Drink" page offers plenty of insider advice on how to find the most unique products throughout the country.
Kristen Siebecker is a Certifed Sommelier and lover of cocktails. She is the co-host of I Feel Vine, a weekly podcast about the power of positive drinking. She also hosts recreational wine classes under the title, Popping Your Cork. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter at @WineWithKristen.
