The only festival dedicated to traditional farmhouse brewing
Welcome to the Norwegian Kornøl Festival
October 1–3, 2026 · Honndalshallen, Hornindal
The Norwegian Kornøl Festival is the only festival in the world dedicated to traditional kornøl (farmhouse ale). The festival brings together home brewers, commercial breweries, researchers, and beer enthusiasts from around the world in Hornindal — one of the most important centres for traditional brewing in northwestern Norway.
The festival was founded in 2015 by William Holden, who chose Hornindal as “a major centre for traditional brewing in north-western Norway.” The first festival took place in 2016 with 10 home brewers and a local kornøl demonstration. Since then, it has grown into an internationally recognized event, attracting visitors from the US, UK, Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, and beyond.
The festival is run as a non-profit — all proceeds fund the next year’s festival.
2026 Highlights
- Traditional farmhouse brewing in a traditional brewhouse
- Norwegian Championship in traditional kornøl with ~40 participating brewers
- Lectures on yeast genetics, archaeology, and brewing history
- Festival dinner with saudehaud (sheep’s head), traditional ales, and local specialities
- Oppskåke in 18th century brewhouse
- Keptinis brewing Two Lithuanians demonstrate oven brewing at the festival
Farmhouse Brewing
Hands-on brewing in a real eldhus with kveik, juniper, and raw ale techniques.
Norwegian Championship
~40 home brewers compete in the only championship for traditional Norwegian kornøl.
Lectures
Yeast genetics, Viking-age rituals, archaeological brewing stones, and the medieval water myth.
Festival Dinner
Saudehaud, traditional ales from Hornindal, Voss, and Stjørdal, and local specialities.
Festival Programme
Full programme →Friday, October 2
Saturday, October 3
Kragset & Partners