Beverages from Småland

The apple orchards in Småland are more than just a sight for the eyes – they are a scent, a taste, and a piece of our history. In the rolling Apple Valley, between Gränna and Huskvarna, fruit trees stretch out in rows up the gentle hillsides. Around Vistakulle, on the strip of land between Vättern and Landsjön, orchards have existed for centuries. Here you will find Vistakulle Fruktodling, where apples are carefully cultivated and processed with great love and attention. All of their beverages, from juice and cider to more refined varieties, are created with a strong focus on the raw materials as their foundation.

If you don’t have a sunny, stony slope to grow your own trees on, you are more than welcome to take delight in the wild meadow orchards that have overlooked lake Åsnen in the area around Urshult for the past four hundred years. The trees grow along stone walls and roads and also spread into fields. Come on a visit on a sunny day in early summer and see the pink and white shimmering flowers fill the air. A visit in autumn is rewarded with the lovely scent of apples and you can fill your basket with apple juice, plum jam and of course the fruit itself from local shops. The orchards around Urshult are the only contiguous ones still standing in Sweden, and in 2013 they were granted the status of a cultural site of national importance. You can buy the apple juice at a number of different places, but two worth visiting are Härodlat Klasamåla, Hilmas äppelmust och Malvagård.

Just outside Astrid Lindgren’s birthplace, Vimmerby, lies Musteriet in Djursdala. Here, a modern cider press operates, where visitors can follow the entire process from apple to finished juice through glass doors. The farm also features a restaurant, with a menu that changes with the seasons and utilizes local ingredients.

The produce here is a far cry from the cheap cider drinks on supermarket shelves. With some 300 newly planted English cider apple trees in 12 varieties, the owner, Claes Mark, is going for quality on a major scale. Markcider, from Gässhults Säteri is sold in the farm shop, but of course can also be imbibed in the farm pub, with the right atmosphere and the right snacks. Whether you’re a passionate apple lover or simply seeking a flavorful excursion, Småland has something for everyone.

Håks Gård is a charming winery where passion for wine and sustainable agriculture meet in the Swedish countryside. With carefully grown grapes and artisanal wine production, unique wines such as Under Ölands Sol are created. Every bottle from Håks Gård offers a taste journey filled with elegance and charm. Visit the farm to experience the vineyard environment, participate in wine tastings and discover the best of Swedish winemaking – a place where tradition and innovation come together in every sip!

Wannborga Vingård on Öland is one of Sweden’s most established wine producers, where craftsmanship and innovation meet the unique Öland climate. Here, hardy grape varieties are grown that produce characterful wines with fresh acidity and a clear terroir. In addition to wine production, distillates such as gin and whiskey are also produced, making the farm an exciting destination for drink enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy guided tours, tastings and a restaurant experience that highlights local ingredients.

Vistakulle vineyard is one of Sweden’s northernmost commercial vineyards, located on the eastern shore of Lake Vättern outside Huskvarna. With a favorable microclimate and mineral-rich soil, grape varieties adapted to the Nordic climate are mainly grown, resulting in unique wines with fresh and elegant flavors. The vineyard is part of the growing Swedish wine industry and offers both wine tastings and guided tours for visitors who want to experience Swedish winemaking up close.

Among blooming apple trees and charming farm shops, Gisebo Vin’s 4,000 vines stretch in neat rows along the hillside. Here, red, white, orange and sparkling wines are grown and refined with care and artisanal precision. The best way to experience these locally produced wines is on site – Gisebo Vin can only be tasted here! During the spring and summer, you can also enjoy a meal with carefully selected wines in the atmospheric greenhouse among the vines.

Småland and Öland have a long and proud tradition of craftsmanship and small-scale production, something that is also reflected in the region’s brewing culture. Here, history and innovation meet in a brewing culture that values both taste and quality.

The beer production in Småland is characterized by a close relationship with nature. Local ingredients such as pure water, malt, and hops are used extensively, and many breweries draw inspiration from the surrounding environment – forests, lakes, and agricultural landscapes. Small-scale breweries, often family-run, combine traditional brewing methods with an experimental spirit, offering a unique and varied selection of beer. Småland’s beer spans from classic lagers and pilsners to modern IPAs, sour beers, and special brews that celebrate local ingredients.

Beer production in Småland is also part of the growing sustainability trend within the beverage industry. Many breweries are focused on reducing their environmental impact by using locally sourced ingredients, recycling by-products, and developing energy-efficient brewing processes. Visit one of Småland and Öland’s microbreweries and experience a unique combination of craftsmanship and cultural pride.

At Kackelbryggeriet on Öland, you can enjoy a variety of locally brewed beer styles. For the true beer enthusiast, Kackelbryggeriet offers a Beer Safari, where you travel by terrain vehicle through Öland’s nature and visit three different microbreweries, including Kackelbryggeriet.

In the southeastern part of Småland, you’ll find Emmaboda, home to Småland’s most curious brewery – Emmaboda Bryggeri. They produce a range of beers and their own Emmacider.

Further west, in the forests of Småland by Lake Möckeln, you’ll find Möckelsnäs Bränneri. Inspired by the area’s rich history and surrounding botanical treasures, the distillery creates exclusive gins with bold flavors and genuine craftsmanship in every bottle.

A visit to the heart of Värnamo offers the chance to explore Wernamo Craft Brewery, a small-scale brewery where a passion for beer combines with traditional craftsmanship. Adjacent to the brewery is Wernamo Brygghus, a brewpub offering beer tastings, quiz nights, and pub food. With twelve beers on tap and regular new releases, it’s a gathering place for beer lovers and good times.