“Where there is beer, there are friends” – a Finnish-Swedish proverb
The Museum of Torne Valley will open the exhibition Oh Beer – About Beer and Brewing in Finland and Tornio to the public on Friday, November 14, 2025. The exhibition explores the long history of beer in Finland and highlights Tornio’s own brewing heritage.
In February 2026, it will be 150 years since the first batch of beer from the new industrial brewery on the eastern side of Suensaari was tasted in Tornio. Torneå Brewery Aktie-Bolag was Tornio’s first industrial enterprise, which later developed into the internationally renowned brand Lapin Kulta.
However, the tradition of beer drinking in Tornio goes back even further. Archaeological excavations in the city have uncovered objects related to beer consumption dating back to the 17th century, such as remnants of passglas cups and humpen tankards. These imported European items were once part of everyday life in many bourgeois homes.
“With this exhibition, we want to highlight Tornio’s industrial history and show how beer has accompanied people in everyday life and celebrations for centuries,” says Terhi Tanska, regional researcher at the Museum of Torne Valley.
The Oh Beer exhibition explores beer from multiple perspectives – from creation myths to the decline of medium-strength beer. Visitors can learn about beer production, different beer styles, and the factors influencing beer characteristics. The exhibition also delves into the role of beer in people’s daily lives, celebrations, and myths, as well as society’s regulation of beer culture. Photographs, objects, and advertisements from various periods evoke memories of beer from past times.
The loaned exhibition from the Hotel and Restaurant Museum has been supplemented with sections on Tornio’s brewery and beer history, as well as objects from the Museum of Torne Valley’s own collections. An unusually extensive collection of medium-strength beer bottles from the Finnish collector Kalle Autio is also on display.
Special Tours at the Museum and Tornio Brewery
The Museum of Torne Valley and Tornion Panimo (Tornio Brewery) are jointly organizing Oh Beer special tours at the end of 2025. During the tours, participants will first explore the museum’s temporary exhibition and then learn about brewing on a brewery tour and beer tasting at Tornion Panimo.
“For the Museum of Torne Valley, this is the first time in years that we are collaborating so closely with a local company in connection with an exhibition and its accompanying program,” explains Terhi Tanska.
“I think it’s fantastic that the museum has fearlessly started building a completely new cooperation model. Now participants on the tours get to experience both the history of beer and its cultural significance – as well as contemporary beer in their own hometown,” says Kaj Kostiander, CEO and brewmaster at Tornion Panimo.
Registration for the tours is done via a form on the Museum of Torne Valley’s website. You can register as an individual for open tours or book a private tour for your group.
The Museum Collects Beer Memories from the Border
Trade in alcohol and beer has played an important role in the daily lives of people along the Finland–Sweden border. Particularly through Tornio and Haparanda, beer has been transported in both directions – both clandestinely and openly.
“Beer-related memories have not previously been collected extensively in Tornio and Haparanda, so now we want to preserve them in the museum’s collections,” says Terhi Tanska.
“We have created an online survey where anyone can share their big or small beer memories. These may relate to cross-border beer purchases, consumption, tasting experiences, brewing, or any other memorable moment involving beer.”These memories will be highlighted in the exhibition and its associated activities.
The survey is available behind this link.
