Balder Brygg

As the only microbrewery in Norway with a main focus on brewing lager, one of the owners, Øystein Meland, explains that his father was a true culture bearer of brewing in Leikanger, Sogn og Fjordane, where the brewery is situated. “I’ve been brewing since I was a young boy – way before I was ever allowed to taste it,” Meland laughs. He explains that the main difference between lager and ale is that lager features a malty flavour, as opposed to the fruitier flavour with more hops that you find in ale. There are upwards of 40 groups who brew in Leikanger, and many of them were taught by Meland’s father.