Located in the city of Drammen¹, about 50km South-West of Oslo², Aass is the oldest brewery in Norway. It was founded in 1834, and at the start of the 21st Century about 150 people worked there. It still occupies its original site in central Drammen, overlooking the Drammens fjord. There have been numerous expansions during the years, all of which have been built in the same classic style - the last one in 1989.

What's in a Name?

There's a quiet debate on the world's beer websites as to the correct pronounciation of 'Aass' - it's impossible to provide a definive answer without hearing someone else say it, but suggestions include:

• If you have an American accent, 'toast' without the 't's
• For those that speak good old-fashioned British English, 'boss' without the 'b'³
• Or simply to say it like the word 'awe' with an 's' on the end.

The official Aass Brewery website says that a real Norwegian Viking would pronounce it 'Ouse'.

However you pronounce it, there is no doubt that the name was given to the brewery by Poul Lauritz Aass, who bought the place in 1860. It is still independent, and privately owned by the Aass family today - the business is currently being run by the 4th generation. Compared to the majority of bland, mass produced Pils beers produced in Norway, the independence and distinctive nature of Aass products has inspired the largest 'fan-club' of any brewery in Norway, called Drammens-Ølets Venner, which means Friends of Drammen's beer. Their slogan is, quite simply, 'Aass for oss!'.

Incidentally, 'Aass' is one old spelling of the Norwegian word for hill. It's not unusual as a name for farms of a particular age, and not uncommon as a last name either.

Purity Law

In 1516, Duke Wilhelm of Bavaria established a law admitting only:

• Malted barley
• Hops yeast
• Water

to be used as ingredients in the production of beer.

The law is known as the 'purity law', and Aass Brewery still make their beer according to it. The breweries are not bound by the purity law, but Norwegian consumers prefer the taste of beer brewed in this way. Aass use pure clean water from a lake called Glitre, which is in the forest just outside Drammen.

The Product

Aass brew approximately 85000 barrels of beer every year, including over 30 different brands for the Norwegian market, which makes them one of the smallest breweries in Norway⁴. Only four brands are exported - Juleøl (Christmas beer), Genuine Pilsner, Aass Classic and Bock Beer - and these aren't aggressively marketed.

Juleøl

This is a dark lager produced with hops from the Hallertau area of Germany, and pure Norwegian mountain water. It is brewed according to strict lagering - and in fact lagers for a full three months to produce a smooth, rich flavour. This maturing process, and the fact that it is produced in limited quantities, makes it a most sought-after speciality beer in Scandinavia.

Dark Christmas ales, brewed with extra malts for sheer alcohol strength⁵, are something of a Norwegian tradition. The Gulatingslov⁶ has a chapter on brewing beer for the mid-winter solstice celebration in January. These festivities originally celebrated the Norse Gods and the return of the Sun, but the Vikings adapted the tradition after bringing Christianity to the country by moving the festivities to December. By the Middle Ages, the Church had gained the ascendency and the brewing business was more tightly regulated - a farmer who did not set aside his very best grain to make the Juleøl could lose his farm to the King and the Church.

Aass Genuine Pilsner

This is a pale-coloured premium lager which makes the most of its ingredients - pure Norwegian mountain water and Sazer and Hallertau hops.

Aass Classic

'Aass Classic' is slightly darker in colour than the Genuine Pilsner, and is slightly hazy, with a light hoppy, flowery aroma.

Aass Bock

Bock is a dark lager - the type that makes beer drinkers out of those who ordinarily won't touch the stuff. It's medium to dark brown, but you can almost see through it. Aass's bock is an unusually thirst-quenching example of the genre, which basically means you'll be on your third or fourth bottle before you know it.

Further reading

The Beer Advocate website rates Aass beers pretty highly, particularly the Aass Classic.

If your Norwegian's up to scratch, you might like to read the main website of the Drammens-Ølets Venner...