Scan Magazine | Special Theme | A Taste of Norway
The most popular beer at Lindesnes Brygghus is Havets Øl (‘Beer of the Sea’)
Benjamin Lemaitre runs a one-man show at Lindesnes Brygghus.
An out-of-control hobby What started as a long-term hobby became a dream come true in 2012, when Benjamin Lemaitre set up his very own commercial brewery. Lindesnes Brygghus (‘Lindesnes Brew house’) is located at the southernmost point of Norway – also known as the Bible Belt. By Line Elise Svanevik | Photos: Lindesnes Brygghus
“It immediately took off,” recalls Lemaitre, who explains that a few people were sceptical of the launch of a brewery in what is known as the Bible Belt of Norway. “It’s been completely unproblematic, and our new IPA is actually called Bibelbeltet IPA [‘the Bible Belt IPA’], as a reference,” he smiles, adding that the name was a slightly bold move. In 2012, Lemaitre started out with a lager, a pale ale and a porter – and now, he brews 12 to 14 different beers ranging in strength and flavour profiles. Their most popular beer is currently Havets Øl (‘Beer of the Sea’), which is brewed like a pale ale but with the addition of red algae, or seaweed, in the brewing process. “The algae provide an amazing colour and a great taste.” 44 | Issue 109 | February 2018
A one-man show Lemaitre is the creator, founder and sole runner of Lindesnes Brygghus, but he occasionally hires people to help out. “My wife calls it a hobby that’s gone out of control,” he laughs. After his immediate success, he took over a professional brewery spanning 450 square metres, with the facilities to brew up to 125,000 litres per year. The brewery welcomes visitors for both tastings and tours, and Lemaitre is currently thinking of expanding by employing someone to perhaps either sell or brew, or both. “Our beers can mainly be found in the supermarket,” says Lemaitre. “But we’re looking at the restaurant and nightlife market, and exporting to Europe and eventually the US as well.”
Lindesnes Brygghus has also teamed up with other partners, including Lindesnes Lighthouse and Lindesnes Havhotell (‘sea hotel’). “We’re located just by the lighthouse, which is something we’ve used in our favour by playing on this environment when we created our labels,” the brewer adds.
Where to find Lindesnes beers: - Lindesnes Lighthouse - Lindesnes Havhotell - Supermarkets such as Kiwi, Coop, Rema 1000, Spar, Joker and more - Vinmonopolet (the government-owned alcoholic beverage retailer) - Gulating Øl - Several pubs and restaurants along the southern coast of Norway
Web: www.lindesnesbrygghus.no Facebook: lindesnesbrygghus Instagram: @lindesnesbrygghus