Old-fashioned homebrew at Selland: A Living Tradition from Vossestrand

In May 2025, we traveled to Selland, a farm high up in Vossestrand, to brew beer the old-fashioned way together with Ivar Geithung – the current farmer and keeper of tradition. Selland has deep historical roots and is first mentioned in a handwritten land and church property register from the 14th century. Over the centuries, the farm has been home to sheep, cattle, music, craftsmanship, and brewing.

Selland was particularly known as a center of craftsmanship in the area. The farm had several blacksmith forges and iron-smelting sites and was renowned for producing high-quality wagons – a testament to the technical skills and cultural significance of the place. It was also a popular gathering spot for traditional folk musicians, adding to the farm’s rich heritage.

But perhaps most importantly: Selland is a place where brewing traditions are still alive.

At Selland, they brew heimabrygg – traditional Norwegian farmhouse ale – just as it has been done for generations. The brewing takes place over an open fire in a copper kettle, in an old brewcellar, resulting in a strong and flavorful beer with an alcohol content of approximately 12%.

A true heimabrygg is said to have seven distinct flavors: Malt, Hops, Smoke, Juniper, Sweetness, Boiled wort, and “More taste” (a hard-to-define term that means it taste so good you want more).

Both juniper infusion and kveik are key ingredients. The kveik we used comes from the Selland farm itself and imparts a fruity flavor with notes of cherry. It was pitched at 45°C (113°F), a temperature typical for this resilient and heat-tolerant yeast. The kveik has been carefully preserved and handed down through generations – a living piece of cultural heritage.

Ivar playing the jaw harp.

Boiling for 5 hours

Brewing with Ivar felt like stepping back in time. Nothing is left to chance – everything is done by feel, with the kind of knowledge that only experience, and oral tradition can pass down. That’s what makes heimabrygg more than just beer. It’s Norwegian heritage.