Henrik øl og vinstove

Had some time to kill in Bergen (after our cruise ship excursion), and this looked like a good place to kill an hour or two. Which it definitely was.

Henrik's doesn't look like much as you enter the bar from the stairway, just a moderate size room with 9 or 10 tables and chairs, and then a wrap around bar up front holding another 10 chairs ( where I perched). There are no TVs or music here, and not much of any decorations on the wall. As the bartender pointed out, this is a place to hang out, drink some good beer, and socialize with friends.

In terms of selection here, it was pretty impressive. I think there was between 50 and 60 beers on tap (several ciders as well), and then around 15 or 20 bottles (which included several local ba impy stouts and barleywines, and 3 Cantillon offerings). Draft selection was very well curated, with an emphasis on local and regional selections, but with some Belgian and German goodies as well (including a Cantillon kriek). I think there were at least 8 or 9 hazy IPA's, a style the bartender acknowledged was still quite popular in Bergen.

Service here consists of coming up to the bar and placing your order with the bartender. That being said, the bartender here was quick, friendly and very knowledgeable. He confirmed he's traveled quite a bit, and had even been to the PNW (and was familiar with many of the beers there).

This is an impressive spot, one that is highly recommended. The only fly in the ointment was the cost of everything. The dollar is pretty weak against the Krone right now (everything in Bergen was expensive), so my pint of ipa was roughly $14, and the half bottle of bba stout was around $55. Otherwise, it's pretty hard to find any fault with this place (unless you're hoping to eat here. There's no kitchen.).

 

 

 

Visited November 2023. A bit hidden off the street, once you find the hallway simply walk upstairs. Dark decor, feels moody in temperament. More than 50 taps, heavy Norwegian representation with other Nordic and European beers on offer. Pricey but quality is high: great service to point me away from “beers for hipsters” into the direction of fantastic lagers, sours and stouts. Handful of bottles including, yes, Cantillon. Only knock might be glassware but otherwise fantastic beer bar on Norway’s west coast.

The pub with the widest selection of beers in Bergen. Due to a rebuilding of the refrigeration facilities, the selection was more limited than normal when I visited - but still decent. Gloomy interior in grey and black. Friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Stopped by here on our Norway trip this past summer. Did a little internet research to find out where I should go for lots of tap options in Bergen...and I wasn't disappointed! Easy to find and centrally located. Nice second story location with good views of the surrounding town. Got to have a few different European tap brews that aren't readily available in the US! Got into an interesting conversation with a local...beer brings us together! At the end, I wanted to buy a couple of their glasses. Instead, the barkeep/owner gave them to me! If you are in Bergen, you must stop in!

Henrik and Crowbar (in Oslo) were my two favorite beer spots in Norway. Henrik has a really nice vibe - it is quiet with plenty of comfortable seating. Best of all - 56 taps, mostly from Norway and Denmark. They also have Cantillon bottles, including 2016 Fou Foune. Don't miss Henrik if you are in Bergen.