Aegir is a most gracious host

Beer Snob | June 29th, 2016

By Steve Listopad

Aegir was a giant in Norse mythology who lived under the ocean in a great hall filled with gold and welcomed his guests with open arms.

In honor of the gentle drowned giant who threw elaborate parties for the gods, Aegir Bryggeri (Brewery) at Flåmsbrygga offers travelers 20 of Norway’s finest brews, delicious food, and lodging when they cross the waters of the Sognefjord and reach shore in Flåm. The brewery was named Norway’s "Brewpub of the Year" three years in a row, and won one gold medal and three silver medals at the Australian International Beer Awards, the world's largest beer competition, in 2015.

The fjord-based brewery and brewhouse was founded in 2007 by now 46-year-old American brewer Evan Lewis in one of the most beautiful geological regions of the world. The fjord is littered with breathtaking waterfalls and steep cliffs breaking out of the deep fjord channels. On the opposite side of Aegir Bryggeri, visitors can ride the Flåm Train, which, in the span of an hour, takes you from sea-level to Myrdal station at the top of Hardangervidda at 867 meters. It’s the steepest train ride on normal tracks in the world and cannot be missed.

Lewis, a native of Rochester, N.Y., told BeerAdvocate, “I stumble out of bed every morning to make my coffee and I look out the window and think I’m dreaming. I have to pinch myself. It’s like a fairytale here.”

In the midst of such beauty, and in honor of an undersea giant who forbade violence in his hall, I must, of course, make the most natural pairing of Aegir’s fine brews and classic Norwegian music. That’s why early 90’s black metal pioneers Mayhem are my choice for enjoying the subtle yet distinct flavors of Aegir’s brews surrounded by the very definition of Earthen serenity.

So many choices:

Dag Sitrus Pale Ale (4%)

Bøyla Blonde Ale (4.7%)

Rallar Amber Ale (4.7%)

Sumbel Porter (4.7%)

Vetlebror Session IPA (4.7%)

Nagelfare Nut Brown Ale (4.7%)

Witbier (4.7%)

Sommar Red Lager (4.7%)

Siv Witbier (5.5%)

Lærdøl Sour Cherry Rye (5.5%)

Bryggve Blonde Ale (6%)

Ægir India Pale Ale (6.5%)

Lindisfarne Scotch Ale (7%)

Bæver Double White IPA (8%)

Ratatosk Double IPA (9%)

Natt Imperial Porter (10%)

Lynchburg Natt (10%)

Tors Hammer Barleywine (13.2%)

Anker Gose (unlisted)

Heidrun Vikingmjød (unlisted)

The Lynchburg Natt is a nice place to start for fans of Mayhem. Listen to “Life Eternal” while enjoying the view of the green mountains from the wooden stav structure and sipping this light and nutty brew. Tors Hammer Barleywine and Heidrun Vikingmjød make perfect pairings with “From the Dark Past” - imagine the vikings coming ashore on the Sondefjord from a successful plunder with these robust offerings. Both songs are off of Mayhem’s first studio album, 1994’s “De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas.”

If you prefer to take on more recent Mayhem, I recommend sitting down with your earbuds on a foggy day in Flåm and turning up 2014’s “Esoteric Warfare.” Especially good pairings are “Watchers” and “Pandaemon” with the Lindisfarne Scotch Ale and the Lærdøl Sour Cherry Rye.

Whatever your tastes, musical or brew, you will not find a more pleasurable environment and a more perfect beer selection to enjoy the tastes, smells, sights and feelings of Norway. As far as sounds go - Mayhem’s heavy, discordant and brutal repertoire offers more than enough auditory and cognitive dissonance to remind you that even in the most serene sensual setting, this is the land of vikings. Aegir, our most gracious host, would not approve.

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