Alcoholic drinks in Sweden
Alcoholic drinks in Sweden are as common as in most of the
Drinks and brands
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c0/Caloric_punsch_advertistement_circa_1885.jpg/170px-Caloric_punsch_advertistement_circa_1885.jpg)
The main Swedish specialty is
Sweet cider is also common. As of July 1, 2005, new rules established that only fermented juice from apple or pear is allowed to be called cider. Before this change, any fruit-based drink could be called cider, meaning that what would be considered alcopop in other countries could be sold as cider in Sweden.
History
Since the Middle Ages, beer was the staple drink in Sweden. Mead was a common delicacy. Distilling was introduced in the 15th century. Prohibition against production and/or sale of brännvin—distilled alcohol—has been enforced during some periods.
As Sweden was industrialized and urbanized during the 19th century, industrially produced brännvin became more available, and alcohol caused increasing health and social problems. The
Regulation and taxation
Sweden has a
Beer is legally divided into three classes. Class I (maximum 2.25%), called lättöl ("light beer"), is sold without restrictions (although shops often set their own age restrictions). Class II (up to 3.5%), called folköl ("people's beer"), is sold in regular stores, but with the minimum purchase age of 18. Class III, starköl ("strong beer", over 3.5%) is sold only in Systembolaget stores.[3]
Drinks are taxed by content of alcohol, more heavily than in most other countries. As of 2007, the tax on vodka (40%) is 200.56 SEK/
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/79/Avl%C3%B6ningsafton_-_R%C3%B6sta_ja%21_1922.jpg/150px-Avl%C3%B6ningsafton_-_R%C3%B6sta_ja%21_1922.jpg)
Systembolaget has a strict monopoly status on alcohol sales to consumers in Sweden, except for restaurant and bars, where alcohol can be sold for immediate consumption (bottles must be opened and cannot be brought home).
Other companies (producers and importers) can sell directly to restaurant and bars, an EU-enforced rule. Producers of alcohol, such as vineyards, however, are not allowed to sell bottles of their products directly to consumers. Small producers have an advantage by being allowed to sell directly to restaurants and due to the fact that Systembolaget shops can buy locally produced beverages for resale. Before these rules were introduced, it was very hard for a local producer to sell anything since the Systembolaget head office then decided on what would be sold, and preferred products that were expected to sell well nationwide because they did not want too many products.
The only exceptions to the monopoly to consumers are export shops at airports, which can sell alcohol to people checked in for a flight outside the EU. Alcohol cannot be sold on boats on Swedish waters, except for restaurants and bars, but the shop is opened at the border to international or foreign waters.
The import quota from other EU countries does not apply to personal use (unlimited).
Moonshining sometimes occurs, mainly in rural areas.[6] Distilling without a commercial production license is illegal in Sweden, even for personal use, and might result in fines or jail time. The mere act of owning parts of a still is also illegal.[7] It is however legal to make alcoholic drinks in a household for one's own personal use (i.e. homebrewing, and winemaking), as long as no distillation is involved.[8]
Restaurants and bars
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/16/Bistro_Rolf_de_Mar%C3%A9%2C_Drottninggatan_15%2C_aug_2020.jpg/220px-Bistro_Rolf_de_Mar%C3%A9%2C_Drottninggatan_15%2C_aug_2020.jpg)
Alcohol can be sold in restaurants, bars and nightclubs. The age limit is 18, though some nightclubs voluntarily require a minimum age at the door above 18 (usually 20 or 23, occasionally up to 27; 30 has occurred).[9] Alcohol may be served only between 11 a.m. – 1 a.m. Municipalities can permit a later closure time, sometimes as late as 5 a.m.[10]
Alcohol is only allowed to be sold at bars if they are defined as restaurants, which means they have to offer warm food on location. After 11:00 p.m. a simple menu is enough.[11] Restaurants, bars and pubs need permission from the municipality to sell alcohol. Overly drunk people must not be allowed to enter premises with an alcohol license. People who become noticeably intoxicated while at the premises must not be served more and in more serious cases have to be removed immediately.
The alcohol must be for immediate consumption, meaning that the staff has to open bottles. Guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic drinks into the restaurant or out from it, including if there is an adjacent convenience store, which has been a problem especially in hotel lobbies. In trains, people are not allowed to drink their own alcohol, but approved sales may take place.[12] Outdoor areas in restaurants must be clearly separated from the street.
Restaurants must claim payment for every single glass and bottle sold. The inclusion of a first drink in the admission fee is prohibited. It is legal to sell large bottles of hard alcohol to groups, but not after 1:00 a.m.[10]
From the 19th century to 1977 restaurants had to serve warm food when alcohol was sold. Many people bought simple food which they did not eat. It could be as simple as a boiled egg. Regulars who were known not to eat the food were often served food which had already been served to other customers.
Hotels
Hotels can sell alcohol if it has a restaurant permission. This includes the right to have a minibar or sell by room service, if all guests in that room are at least 18. This is not valid if the restaurant has a different operator than the hotel. In any case guests are allowed to bring and consume their own alcohol in the hotel room.[13]
Temperance movement
The
The political attitude towards alcohol in Sweden has become more relaxed over the years.
See also
- Museum of Spirits
- Swedish cuisine
- Swedish festivities
- Beer classification in Sweden and Finland
- Nordic glögg
Further reading
- Graham Butler "Alcoholic Goods and Sweden: The EU Law of Private Imports, Retail Sale, and State Monopolies". Stockholm: Swedish Institute for European Policy Studies, 2022. ISBN 978-91-89498-04-4.
References
- ^ "Swedish Punsch in History and Mixology". alpenz.com. Archived from the original on 20 January 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
- ^ Regeringskansliet, Regeringen och (September 20, 2017). "Government.se". Regeringskansliet. Archived from the original on January 10, 2008.
- ISBN 978-91-7257-537-0.[dead link]
- ^ Swedish Tax Agency: Excise duties[dead link]
- ^ "Tullverket: Importation of alcohol for personal use when travelling".
- ^ "FHI - Välkommen till sidan om Folkhälsoinformation i Sverige". Archived from the original on November 9, 2007.
- ^ "Alkohollag (2010:1622) Svensk författningssamling 2010:2010:1622 t.o.m. SFS 2019:345 - Riksdagen". www.riksdagen.se.
- ^ "Alkohollag (2010:1622) Svensk författningssamling 2010:2010:1622 t.o.m. SFS 2020:876 - Riksdagen".
- ISBN 9781588435521– via Google Books.
- ^ a b Riktlinjer för serveringstillstånd (Swedish)
- ^ "Alkohollagens regler vid servering av alkoholdrycker". Archived from the original on December 21, 2013.
- ^ Järnvägslag (2004:519)
- ^ Alkohollag (2010:1622) 8.kap 5§, 23§, 24§
- ISBN 9780786450930.