Föroya Bjór

Lore & Background

Föroya Bjór was founded in 1888 by Símun í Vági, who had traveled to Denmark in 1883 to learn brewing and baking. Upon returning to the Faroe Islands, he established a brewery in Klaksvík, making it the second brewery in the country after Restorffs Bryggjarí. Símun í Vági also started a bakery, shipping company, and agriculture at the same time.

His son, Einar Fróvin Waag (1894–1989), expanded the brewery in the 1950s and 1960s and served as a member of the Lagting. The company remained in the family, with Einar and Heini Waag each owning half until December 2008, when Heini sold his share to Einar Waag (born 1947), who became sole owner. Einar's daughter, Annika Waag, serves as company manager and brewmaster.

From mid-2005, Föroya Bjór took over soft drink production from Restorffs Bryggjarí, which closed in 2007. In 2009, the company opened an office in Reykjanesbær and began exporting to Iceland.

In 2016, it released Einar's Akvavit and later whiskey. On 18 June 2020, Föroya Bjór purchased the Okkara Brewery at Velbastaður. The brewery's product line includes a wide range of beers, such as Veðrur, Gold Export Lager, Black Sheep, Rockall Brown Ale, and Green Islands Stout, as well as soft drinks like Jolly Cola and Pepsi Cola under license.

Reader's Guide

Föroya Bjór holds a significant place in Faroese brewing history as the second brewery established in the country, founded in 1888 by Símun í Vági. Its longevity—over 130 years—makes it one of the oldest companies in the Faroe Islands, and it remains family-owned, currently under Einar Waag and his daughter Annika Waag. The brewery's expansion in the mid-20th century under Einar Fróvin Waag and its acquisition of Restorffs Bryggjarí's soft drink production in 2005 demonstrate its role in consolidating the local beverage industry. The purchase of Okkara Brewery in 2020 further extended its reach.

Föroya Bjór's export to Iceland since 2009 and its diversification into spirits like akvavit and whiskey in 2016 show adaptation to modern markets. Its product line includes traditional Faroese beers such as Ólavsøku Gull, brewed for the national day, and seasonal offerings like Jólabryggj and Páskabryggj. The brewery's symbol, a ram, has been used since its establishment, and its name directly reflects its Faroese identity. Through its history, family stewardship, and product range, Föroya Bjór remains a cornerstone of Faroese brewing and culture.