What Hansa Borg Bryggerier does

Hansa Borg Bryggerier AS, headquartered in Bergen, Norway, is the country's largest Norwegian-owned brewery and beverage group, formed through the consolidation of three regional breweries — Hansa Bryggeri (Bergen, est. 1891), Borg Bryggerier (Sarpsborg, est. 1855), and Christianssands Bryggeri/CB (Kristiansand, est. 1859) — and expanded with the 2006 acquisition of Olden Brevatn AS (natural mineral water) and a 54.44% stake in craft brewery Nøgne Ø in 2013. The company produces and distributes a broad portfolio spanning beer (own brands Hansa, Borg, CB, Fredrikstad plus licensed Heineken, Clausthaler, and Nøgne Ø), cider (Grevens Cider, Bulmers), soft drinks (Hansa-brus, Borg-brus, CB-brus, Faxe Kondi, Schweppes under license), energy drinks (CULT, BANG Energy), flavored alcoholic beverages (Breezer, Smirnoff Ice), hard seltzer and hard iced tea, natural mineral water (Olden), and wine (post-Vinestor 2021). Production is conducted at four sites (Bergen, Sarpsborg, Kristiansand, Olden), all certified ISO 9001, FSSC 22000 and ISO 14001, with the Olden facility operating climate-neutrally on renewable electricity.

The company operates as a hybrid manufacturer-distributor with revenue generated through consumer packaged-goods sales via grocery chains (ICA, Rema 1000, Kiwi, Coop) and HORECA/out-of-home (uteliv) channels, plus recurring royalties and distribution economics from long-term licensing partnerships with Heineken, Schweppes, and Bacardi. GTM combines a structured three-region field sales organization (Vest/Nord, Øst, Øst/Sør) covering all of Norway with a B2B digital ordering portal (HansaSoleraHandel, launched January 2025), national TINE logistics partnership, and experiential marketing through brewery tours and beer-school programs. Ancillary revenue includes brewery tourism (300–400 NOK per person) and B2B e-learning. Distribution is exclusively domestic (Norway), with ownership split 75% Borg Invest (Egenæss family) / 25% Royal Unibrew A/S, and ~500 employees as of recent disclosures.

The business model centers on capturing category economics across price tiers — from premium licensed imports (Heineken) to mass-owned brands (Hansa) and alcohol-free (Clausthaler) — leveraging regional brand authenticity, four-facility logistics, and a switching-cost-laden HORECA install base to defend market share (30% of Norwegian beer). Customer concentration is low to moderate given the grocery and HORECA channels are both broad; the company has stated enterprise accounts including Color Line and Den Norske Operaen. Profitability has been positive but cyclical, and headcount has been managed around 500 since 2015 following a Coca-Cola-related restructuring in 2010.

Name

Hansa Borg Bryggerier

Legal name

Hansa Borg Bryggerier AS

Website

https://hansaborg.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

1891

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Hansa Borg Bryggerier AS is Norway's largest Norwegian-owned brewery and beverage group, producing and distributing beer (Hansa, Borg, CB), cider (Grevens), natural mineral water (Olden), soft drinks, and licensed international brands (Heineken, Schweppes, Breezer) across grocery and HORECA channels in Norway.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Beer and Beverages

NAICS

Breweries (31212), Beverage Manufacturing (3121), Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers (424810)

SIC

Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180), Bottled & Canned Soft Drinks & Carbonated Waters (2086)

akta.pro primary industry

Packaging & Production Breweries (Limited/No On-site Service) (THAFALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Craft & Specialty Beverage Wholesale (Local/Artisanal) (AFAIAGAH), Bulk Beverage & Keg Distribution (AFAIAGAK), Beer, Brewery & Craft Beverage Tastings (THAJAGAE), Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service) (THAFALAA), Beverage (Non-Alcoholic) Foodservice Distribution (CRAOABAJ)

Keywords

• Beer production
• Cider production
• Mineral water bottling
• Soft drink manufacturing
• Brewery operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Bergen

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Own brand beer and cider sales: Sale of proprietary beer brands (Hansa, Borg, CB, Fredrikstad) and cider brands (Grevens Cider) through grocery retail and HORECA channels in Norway. Own brands have regional anchoring with Hansa dominant in Western Norway, Borg in Eastern Norway, and CB in Southern Norway.
2. Licensed brand production and distribution (Heineken, Clausthaler): Hansa Borg holds long-term licensing agreements for production and marketing of Heineken (renewed ~10 years, ~2B NOK total contract value) and Clausthaler in Norway. Heineken partnership since 2003; market share grew from 0.2% in 2003 to 3.4% in 2018. Sol and Murphy's also distributed under the same agreement.
3. Licensed brand production and distribution (Schweppes): Since January 2009, Hansa Borg holds exclusive license to produce, distribute, sell and market all Schweppes products in Norway across all sales channels. Schweppes is the world's oldest soft drink, created in 1783.
4. Distribution of Breezer (Bacardi): Hansa Borg distributes Bacardi's Breezer flavored alcoholic beverages (FAB) in Norway. Contract signed through 2023 with value over 250M NOK. Market share grew from 8.5% in 2013 to over 30% in 2018. 28% growth in FAB category in 2018.
5. Olden natural mineral water: Production and sale of Olden natural mineral water sourced from Blåfjellskilden spring near Jostedalsbreen National Park. Water was dated to several thousand years old using C14 method. Approved as natural mineral water by Norwegian Food Safety Authority in 1994. At year-end 2011, Olden was Norway's second largest water brand in grocery retail.
6. Soft drinks and energy drinks: Production and sale of soft drinks including Hansa-brus, Borg-brus, CB-brus, Faxe Kondi, and energy drink CULT. Also distributes Orangina. New products like Faxe Kondi Pink Lemonade launched May 2026. BANG Energy added to portfolio in 2021.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Hansa Borg Bryggerier is a Norwegian brewery and beverage manufacturer that produces, packages, and distributes its own brands of beer, cider, mineral water, soft drinks, energy drinks, hard seltzer, and ready-to-drink beverages, alongside licensed international brands (Heineken, Clausthaler, Bulmers, Smirnoff Ice, Faxe Kondi, BANG Energy). The company sells primarily through Norwegian grocery chains and the Vinmonopolet state liquor store, with a dedicated HORECA field-sales team and B2B customer portal serving bars, restaurants, hotels, and event venues.

Product overview

Hansa Borg Bryggerier AS is Norway's largest Norwegian-owned brewery and beverage company, operating a portfolio of owned brands and licensed international brands. The company operates three breweries (Hansa Bryggeri in Bergen, Borg Bryggerier in Sarpsborg, and Christianssands Bryggeri/CB in Kristiansand) and owns Olden Brevatn AS (natural mineral water). Its owned beer brands include Hansa Øl (Norway's largest Norwegian beer brand), Borg Øl (including Østlandets Gull brewed with local grain, and Bokkøl), and CB Øl. Its cider portfolio centers on Grevens Cider (Norway's leading cider brand with sugar-free variants). Soft drink brands include Hansa-brus, Borg-brus, CB-brus, and Faxe Kondi. The company also licenses and distributes Heineken, Clausthaler (non-alcoholic beer), Schweppes, Bulmers, Smirnoff Ice, and Breezer. Hansa Borg owns 54.44% of craft brewery Nøgne Ø. The company offers a B2B digital customer portal (Kundeportal/HansaBorgHandel) for out-of-home ordering. In 2021 Hansa Borg entered energy drinks with BANG Energy and expanded into wine via acquisition of Vinestor.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hansa: Primary beer brand from Bergen brewery, Norway's largest Norwegian beer brand.
• Borg
• CB (Christianssands Bryggeri)
• Grevens Cider
• Olden
• Clausthaler
• Heineken
• Schweppes
• Nøgne Ø
• CULT
• Faxe Kondi
• Breezer

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% market share in Norwegian beer market, growing from 4.8% in 2008 while market grew only 1.1% — accounting for more than total market growth
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Nøgne ØcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 November 2013Hansa Borg acquired 54.44% of Nøgne Ø shares in November 2013. Nøgne Ø operates as a separate company from its premises at Gamle Rygene Kraftstasjon, Grimstad. Founded in 2002, Nøgne Ø is Norway's premier craft brewery and was on DN's Gaselle list for 7 consecutive years. Founders Tore Nybø (CEO) and Kjetil Jikiun (Head Brewer) remain as shareholders and in their roles. Hansa Borg's entry brings expertise and strength in distribution and sales.
• BacardicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 February 2013Hansa Borg assumed distribution of Bacardi's Breezer (flavored alcoholic beverages) in 2013. A new long-term agreement was signed in 2019 extending through 2023 with value exceeding 250 million NOK. Under Hansa Borg, Breezer's market share in Norway grew from 8.5% (2013) to over 30% (2018), with 28% growth in the FAB category in 2018. Portfolio includes Orange, Lime, Watermelon, Strawberry, Mango, and Lemon & Elderflower variants.
• TINEminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2013Hansa Borg selected TINE as transport partner from 2013 for parts of its sales volume. Orders are picked and completed at Hansa Borg's own warehouses in Bergen, Sarpsborg, and Kristiansand, then loaded onto TINE vehicles. The partnership was expanded in 2020 to include Bergen, Oslo, and central Østfold/Viken from 2021.
• Coca-Cola EnterprisesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHistorical partnership with Coca-Cola Enterprises for co-packing and distribution. The relationship was significantly reduced from 2010 due to lower demand, resulting in ~90 job cuts at Hansa and Borg facilities. Coca-Cola Enterprises rebranded to Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP).
• Coca-Cola (local franchise)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorListed as a collaboration partner on the Hansa Borg website. Coca-Cola products were distributed through Hansa Borg's network, and Hansa Borg produced some Coca-Cola products under license at various times.
• Too Good To GominorGTM or Marketing PartnerHansa Borg partnered with Too Good To Go from 2021 to donate surplus alcohol-free products from store outlets in Bergen, reducing food waste.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Ringnes: Norway's largest brewery overall, owned by Carlsberg. Directly competes with Hansa Borg across mainstream Norwegian lagers, ciders and licensed international brands. Operates brewing facilities at Gjelleråsen and uses a similar grocery + HORECA dual-channel model.
• Macks Ølbryggeri: Norwegian regional brewery headquartered in Tromsø, with strong Northern Norway identity. Comparable regional brewery model with own-label beer, cider and soft drinks plus brewery tour hospitality — directly parallels Hansa Borg's Hansa/Borg/CB regional brand strategy.
• Aass Bryggeri: Norwegian regional brewery from Drammen with multi-generation heritage, producing lager, beer and soft drinks for the Norwegian market. Similar heritage brewery profile and regional anchoring to Hansa Borg's Borg and CB brands.

Broad incumbents

• Royal Unibrew A/S: Danish multi-beverage group that holds 25% of Hansa Borg and consolidates it in its accounts. Operates broad beverage portfolio across Northern Europe (Denmark, Finland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia) including Pepsi franchises — comparable multi-category beverage model and direct corporate parent.
• Heineken Norge: Dutch global brewer's Norwegian operation. Partners with Hansa Borg under a long-term license but also competes in premium import and on-premise. Comparable broad-portfolio brewer and one of Hansa Borg's most strategically important counterparties.
• Carlsberg Group: Global brewer that owns Ringnes (Hansa's main Norwegian competitor). Sets the strategic agenda for Norway's #1 brewer; relevant for benchmarking pricing, HORECA strategy and licensed brand arrangements that Hansa Borg must counter.

Regional players

• Spendrups Bryggeri: Swedish family-owned brewery and beverage company with a comparable multi-brand portfolio (beer, cider, soft drinks, water) and cross-border Nordic presence. Once a Hansa Borg shareholder (Sold to Borg Invest in 2011), offering a close structural comparable.
• Tuborg (Carlsberg): Danish premium lager brand distributed in Norway by Carlsberg/Ringnes. Cited explicitly as the brand ahead of Hansa in Norwegian grocery retail — direct competitive benchmark for Hansa's flagship pilsner positioning.

Emerging players

• Lervig Aktiebryggeri: Norwegian craft brewery based in Stavanger, known for specialty and barrel-aged beers. Comparable craft segment player to Nøgne Ø; relevant for understanding how craft beer is growing share inside the Norwegian market that Hansa Borg serves.
• Haandbryggeriet: Norwegian craft brewery from Drammen with strong reputation for traditional and experimental ales. Comparable craft player to Nøgne Ø and useful as a benchmark for Hansa Borg's craft positioning and category innovation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/hansaborgbryggerier
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hansaborg
• Instagraminstagram.com/hansaborgbryggerier
• Xx.com/hansaborg

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hansa Borg Bryggerier