Program – Norway's Best Drink 2026

On March 18–19, 2026, the Norwegian beverage industry will gather at Rebel in Oslo for two eventful days of professional immersion, tasting experiences and NM finals.

Program – Norway's Best Drink 2026 combines knowledge sharing, industry debate, networking and celebration of Norwegian quality in the glass.

Wednesday, March 18 – Judging (closed event)

Before the doors open to the public, the professional evaluation of this year's submitted products is carried out.

Over 300 products from around 100 producers are assessed by a professional jury consisting of sensory experts, chefs, industry professionals and producers. The results form the basis for the NM medals that are awarded on day two.

Thursday, March 19 – Professional pre-show, tasting fair and awards ceremony with 10-course tasting menu

Norway's Best Drink brings together producers, professional communities and industry players for a rich day of professional immersion, tasting experiences and a celebration of Norwegian quality in the glass.

The event consists of three parts:

• Professional preview with seminar and industry debate
• Tasting fair with producers from all over the country
• Awards ceremony with exclusive 10-course tasting menu

Organizer is HANEN, which is behind Norway's Best Drink – the national championship for Norwegian drinks.

Professional preview – seminar on Norwegian drinks

12.00–15.30 | Location: Auditorium 0010

The professional part of the program brings together producers, suppliers and industry players for conversations about developments in Norwegian beverages. There will be insights, discussions and the opportunity to meet colleagues from all over the country.

Conference speaker: Christopher Seven

12.00–12.55

Norwegian malt – can the awarding of Norway's Best Beer stimulate more use of Norwegian raw materials?

Can "real Norwegian beer" become more than an idealistic vision? Can Norwegian malt and kveik become a natural part of modern Norwegian brewing?

Panel discussion with:

• Sverre Grimstad – Ironwork
• Kjersti Gravningen and Halfdan Svalheim – Malteriet
• Brewery Master Jahn Robert Andersen – Grans Bryggeri
• Brewery master Lars Huse – Ølsmia
• Finn-Erik Blakstad – Ekeby Farm Brewery
• Bodil Oust – Bonsak Malt

13.00–13.10

Sponsored post: Fermentis

One of the world's leading yeast suppliers shares insights into the NoLo trend (No/Low alcohol) and how yeast technology can contribute to the development of alcohol-free ciders.

13.15–13.30

Summary of this year's competition – and a sneak peek at the results

Jury leader Gabe Cook provides insight into this year's competition and shares some of the judges' experiences from the judging.
Shared tasting of one of this year's NM gold winners.

13.30–13.45

Break

13.45–13.55

Sponsored post: Nordic Pack

14.00–14.45

Expanded farm sales from production sites – status and experiences

How can farm sales be further developed in Norway? What can we learn from the experiences of Sweden, and what could the Norwegian model look like?

Panel discussion with:

• Hans Ellef Wettre – Wettre Brewery and Distillery

• Erlend Fuglum – Director of the Brewery and Beverage Association (BROD)

• Øyvind Giæver – Department Director at the Norwegian Directorate of Health

• Bernt Bucher Johannessen – CEO of HANEN

14.45–14.55

Sponsored Post: Digital Label

15.00-15.30:

The NoLo trend - understanding Norway and Norwegians through alcohol preferences

Sales at Vinmonopolet show a clear trend towards lighter and brighter products. What does this mean for Norwegian producers?

Presentation by Jens Nordahl, press officer at Vinmonopolet.

Taste Fair – a taste of Norway

3:30 PM–5:30 PM | Rebel Expo

At the tasting fair, the audience will meet talented producers from all over the country.

Here you can experience the breadth of Norwegian beverage production – from beer, cider and mead to fruit wine, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages.

The tasting fair provides a unique opportunity to:

• discover new products
• meet the producers
• learn more about raw materials and crafts
• experience the diversity of Norwegian drinks

This is a journey through the Norwegian drinking adventure – with great flavors and a good atmosphere.

These are the exhibitors you will meet:

Exhibitors:

• Druehagen farm (sides and grape wine)
• Raet Sideri/ Nordre Bergan farm (siders)
• Inderøy Mosteri (pages)
• Egge farm (cider, grape wine, fruit brandy, aquavit)
• Beer brewery (beer)
• Grans brewery (beer)
• Old Pages (pages)
• Wettre Brewery (beer and fruit spirits)
• ØX Brewery and Distillery (aquavit)
• Øvre Ellingsrud farm (fruit wine)

Awards ceremony with 10-course tasting menu

18.00–21.00 | Rebel SKRAA

The evening will end with an award ceremony and announcement of the NM winners in Norway's Best Drink 2026.

The winners are celebrated with an exclusive 10-course tasting menu, inspired by this year's categories in the competition. Each dish is carefully composed and accompanied by selected Norwegian drinks to enhance the taste experience.

The menu is developed by The Food Hub, in collaboration with the Norwegian Restaurant School.

The result will be an evening where Norwegian gastronomy and drinking culture meet – and where the year's best products receive their deserved tribute.

A meeting place for the entire industry

Norway's Best Drink 2026 is more than a competition. The program reflects the breadth of Norwegian drinking culture – from raw material production and professional development to consumer trends and gastronomy.

The event brings together:

• Manufacturers
• Suppliers
• Organizations
• Professional communities
• Press
• Audience

Through professional content and celebration of quality, the position of Norwegian drinks is strengthened nationally.

Practical information

Date: March 18–19, 2026
Place: Rebel, Oslo
Organizer: HANEN

Tickets for the trade fair, tasting fair and gala dinner are on sale.