Today in 1917, Finland gained their Independence from Russia.

Finland

Finland Breweries

• Diamond Beer Brewing Company
• Finlandia Sahti Ky
• Jacobstads Breweries
• Karhu
• Kaskenmäen Panimo
• Koff
• Koskipanimo Plevna
• Laitilan Wirvoitusjuomatehdas
• Mallaskosken Oy
• Olvi Oyj
• Olutravintola Naapuri
• Oy Hartwall
• Oy Hartwall Lahden Panimo
• Oy Sinebrychoff AB
• Panimoravintola Beer Hunter’s
• Panimoravintola Herman
• Panimoravintola Huvila
• Panimoravintola Koulu
• Panimoravintola Sahtikrouvi
• Panimoravintola Teerenpeli
• Pirkanmaan Uusi Panimo
• Pirkanmaan Uusi Panimo
• Stadin Panimo Oy
• Suomenlinnan Panimo

Finland Brewery Guides

• Beer Advocate
• Beer Me
• Rate Beer

Other Guides

• CIA World Factbook
• Official Website
• U.S. Embassy
• Wikipedia

Guild: Panimoliitto

National Regulatory Agency: National Product Control Agency for Welfare and Health

Beverage Alcohol Labeling Requirements: Follows Eu Regulations

Drunk Driving Laws: BAC 0.05% [Note: 0.12% (aggravated). The penalty is a fine or jail up to 6 months plus license suspension from 1 month to 5 years. For aggravated, also a prison sentence (60 days to 2 years) is possible, usually as a suspended sentence. Routine breath testing without a probable cause is permitted and often practiced. Penalties vary by level of intoxication.]

• Full Name: Republic of Finland
• Location: Northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, Gulf of Bothnia, and Gulf of Finland, between Sweden and Russia
• Government Type: Republic
• Language: Finnish (official) 91.2%, Swedish (official) 5.5%, other (small Sami- and Russian-speaking minorities) 3.3%
• Religion(s): Lutheran Church of Finland 82.5%, Orthodox Church 1.1%, other Christian 1.1%, other 0.1%, none 15.1%
• Capital: Helsinki (Helsingfors)
• Population: 5,262,930; 116th
• Area: 338,145 sq km, 65th
• Comparative Area: Slightly smaller than Montana
• National Food: Mämmi
• National Symbol: Lion, Whooper Swan, Brown Bear, European perch, Ladybird; Lily of the Valley; Birch, Silver Birch; Finland’s Lion, Nordic Cross
• Affiliations: UN, EU
• Independence: From Russia, December 6, 1917

• Alcohol Legal: Yes
• Minimum Drinking Age: 18 (for possession and purchase of <22% a.b.v.) 20 (for possession and purchase of ≥22% a.b.v.) (18 for all in bars and restaurants) [Note: Age limits apply to purchase and possession. Police may search minors in public places and confiscate or destroy alcoholic beverages. Adults are responsible for alcohol use by minors in private; offering alcohol to a minor is a punishable offense if it results in drunkenness and is inappropriate with regard to the minor's age, maturity and other circumstances.]
• BAC: 0.05%
• Number of Breweries: 36

• How to Say “Beer”: olut, kalja, pikkutekijä / slang: olvi
• How to Order a Beer: O-loot moolek kee-tos
• How to Say “Cheers”: Kippis / Kippis Terveydeksi (“to your health”) / Maljanne (“a toast to you sir”)
• Toasting Etiquette: N/A

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

• Beer: 46%
• Wine: 23%
• Spirits: 28%
• Other: 3%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

• Recorded: 9.72
• Unrecorded: 2.80
• Total: 12.52
• Beer: 4.59

WHO Alcohol Data:

• Per Capita Consumption: 9.7 litres
• Alcohol Consumption Trend: Increase
• Excise Taxes: Yes
• Minimum Age: 18
• Sales Restrictions: Time, location, specific locations, intoxicated persons
• Advertising Restrictions: Yes
• Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: Yes

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: 1919 to 1932 in Finland (called kieltolaki, “ban law”) [In 1919, Finland enacted prohibition, as one of the first acts after independence from the Russian Empire. Four previous attempts to institute prohibition in the early 20th century had failed due to opposition from the tsar. After a development similar to the one in the United States during its prohibition, with large-scale smuggling and increasing violence and crime rates, public opinion turned against the prohibition, and after a national referendum where 70% voted for a repeal of the law, prohibition was ended in early 1932.]