Nearly ten years ago, Fat Lizard Brewing Co. brewed its first commercial beer, 101 California Pale Ale. 2025 will be a year of celebration for this praised brewery in Espoo, including a recreation of the original recipe.

Fat Lizard Brewing Co. was founded by four friends who came together to brew American-style beers, from the West Coast specifically. Initially, brewing was a fun hobby but the friends soon realised that they were onto something special.

Fat Lizard Brewing: Outstanding beers from one of Finland’s top craft breweries

Things have certainly gone well and almost ten years on, Fat Lizard is amongst Finland’s top craft breweries with one million litres brewed per year and a team of over 20, including production, packaging, marketing & sales, and distribution. The brewery even has its own lab, with quality control being a key factor in its brewing process and, ultimately, in its success.

Fat Lizard Brewing: Outstanding beers from one of Finland’s top craft breweries

“There are around 100 craft breweries in Finland these days and Fat Lizard is currently number three,” says Topi Kairenius, co-founder and creative director. “It hasn’t been easy though, partly due to Finnish alcohol regulations. The four of us who started and grew the brewery are childhood friends and share the same values, based on quality as well as human, environmental and animal welfare. Everything is still done in-house, and we all bring useful experience from our previous careers.”

Fat Lizard Brewing: Outstanding beers from one of Finland’s top craft breweries

Reliable core range and tasty seasonals

“From the outset, we wanted people in Finland to be able to enjoy this type of beer that we love so much ourselves – and to enjoy it fresh,” says Kairenius. “Brewing mostly with Finnish barley malt from Lahti, and some special malts from Germany, gives the signature flavour of our beers. They are hops-driven as can be expected from West Coast styles, but with balanced sweetness.”

101 California Pale Ale was the brewery’s first commercial beer, released in 2015, and is still one of the best-sellers. The goal with the recipe was easy drinkability and flawless taste, with a touch of exotic fruits and balanced bitterness. As part of the brewery’s tenth anniversary, the team will recreate the original recipe and release a birthday edition of the beer.

 

 

Fat Lizard is well-known and loved for its excellent, hoppy American Pale Ales and IPAs. A clear hit is Track Day Session IPA, which was awarded best India Pale Ale at Finland’s Best Beer 2019 competition. And Ankle Slapper Surf Ale, a modern take on a West Coast Pale Ale, is a quenchable beer with heaps of character.

There are many more outstanding beers from this talented brewery though, for instance, seasonal treats such as Glow Plug, a so-called winter warmer brewed with tonka beans and cacao nibs, as well as a Baltic Porter, a Scottish Wee Heavy, and an Imperial Stout.

Fat Lizard Brewing: Outstanding beers from one of Finland’s top craft breweries

Reverend Reptile and heavy metal beer

A recent collaboration is the beer named Reverend Reptile, a New England IPA brewed together with Hackney Church Brew Co. from East London, the UK – an ambitious brewery with numerous awards including Brewery of the Year 2024 by the World Beer Awards. “This collaboration was fantastic and we can’t wait to do something with Hackney Church again,” smiles Kairenius.

Fat Lizard Brewing: Outstanding beers from one of Finland’s top craft breweries

In the past, Fat Lizard has also collaborated with for instance Espoo’s very own internationally acclaimed heavy metal band, Children of Bodom. Together, they created Lake Bodom, a lager sold worldwide. Some of the water used in the brewing of this beer actually originated from the nearby Lake Bodom.

The brewery is located in Otaniemi in the heart of Espoo. Here, the team organises tours and tastings, an excellent opportunity for beer aficionados to try a variety of Fat Lizard’s beers and taste them side by side. “Our visitors are often amazed by how much effort and money goes into brewing,” adds Kairenius. “And many are surprised to hear that everything is actually brewed onsite, that our beer is still very much craft beer.”

Fat Lizard Brewing: Outstanding beers from one of Finland’s top craft breweries

Web: www.fatlizard.beer
Facebook: Fat Lizard Brewing Co.
Instagram: @fatlizardbeer

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