(Reykjavik) Deprived in a few hours when it was launched, a beer produced with canned peas and pickled red cabbage is the perfect match for the Christmas holidays in Iceland.
Brewed by a small establishment in Reykjavik, the recipe for this beer called Ora jólabjór uses two essential Icelandic New Year’s Eve ingredients, which traditionally accompany smoked leg of lamb and potatoes.
At 5.2 degrees, the fermented drink is the latest fruit of the rich imagination of Valgeir Valgeirsson, master brewer at RVK Brewing.
He has already distinguished himself by marketing beers obtained from algae, the foot of a Christmas tree or even dried fish.
“It was weird,” admits this 41-year-old Icelandic man with a salt and pepper beard.
During the various stages of preparation, cabbage and peas are mixed with, among other things, malted barley, hops and cloves.
PHOTO HALLDOR KOLBEINS, FRANCE-PRESS AGENCY
Valgeir Valgeirsson, master brewer at RVK Brewing (right), with one of his employees.
In its small brewery in Reykjavik with an annual capacity of 50,000 liters – modest on the scale of the oceans of beer produced by the world giants, two stocks of 6,000 and then 12,000 cans have already been produced, or 6,000 liters in total.
The first, sold only online at Vínbúdin – the state store that monopolizes alcohol sales in Iceland – sold out in six hours.
The idea sprouted after an impromptu phone call six months ago. “The challenge was something I was looking for,” says Valgeir.
It has partnered with the Ora brand, the country’s leading food manufacturer, which markets canned Christmas vegetables – the can also resumes their marketing presentation.
PHOTO HALLDOR KOLBEINS, FRANCE-PRESS AGENCY
The beer produced with canned peas and pickled red cabbage is the perfect match for Christmas in Iceland.
The association does not sound appetizing, but it is symbolic for Icelanders: the habit of tasting them at Christmas dates back to the days when fresh products were difficult to find, especially in winter.
Whether they find the idea brilliant or repulsive, locals are curious to taste it.
“I was surprised to see how good and pleasant it was, compared to the moment when we see them pouring the peas and red cabbage in the brewer”, analyzes Hédinn Unnsteinsson who however notes the very noticeable smell. vegetables.
“I expected a more pronounced taste of the ingredients,” says Níels Bjarki Finsen, who compares it to the amber English beer bitter.
“We hope for beer with cod liver oil next year!” Thorsteinn Tómas Broddason jokes.