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Kristine Craft

Former brewer, now freelance writer. Passionate about ingredients, yeast strains, and good flavor.

Craft beer

Articles by Kristine Craft

In Focus

Dark beer belongs in summer too

Stout and porter aren't just for December. We show how dark beer can actually be summer's best drink – in the right glass, served at the right temperature, and paired with the right food.

Kristine Craft · 6 min · Photo: Henrik Tabord

Season

Ice-Cold Kvass – Eastern Europe's Forgotten Summer Beer

The fermented bread drink from Eastern Europe has survived emperors and communism. Now it's appearing in Norwegian craft breweries – and it suits the Norwegian summer better than you might think.

Kristine Craft · 7 min

Season

Beer on a picnic – five styles that hold up in the heat

Not all beer tastes equally good from a cooler bag on a warm summer day. Here are the styles that actually thrive in the heat – and some concrete bottles to pack into the blanket basket.

Kristine Craft · 6 min

Guides

How to keep your white wine cold at the barbecue

Salt ice baths, insulated bags, and smart timing – here are the methods that actually work when the sun is blazing and your glass is about to go lukewarm. A practical guide from someone who learned it the hard way.

Kristine Craft · 7 min

Season

Ice-Cold Lager in the Summer Sun – A Style Guide

Pilsner, helles, or session lager? Kristine helps you navigate the lightest, freshest lagers – perfect for a Norwegian summer on the terrace or by the sea.

Kristine Craft · 7 min

Recipes

One Ginger Shot, Three Fresh Mocktails

With one fermented ginger shot as a base, you can mix three fresh, non-alcoholic long drinks that taste of spring. We show you the technique – and how to get the most out of the base recipe.

Kristine Craft · 7 min

Season

Norwegian Summer in a Bottle – Five Local Releases

From floral summer aquavit to Trøndelag farmhouse beer – here are five Norwegian producers delivering the best of the Norwegian spring in your glass, long before summer has truly begun.

Kristine Craft · 6 min

In Focus

Sake on the Norwegian Table – This Spring's Most Unexpected Companion

Sake is no longer reserved for the sushi restaurant. This spring, the Japanese rice drink deserves a place alongside fresh fish, white asparagus, and herb-rich dishes – and at Vinmonopolet there is actually quite a lot to choose from.

Kristine Craft · 6 min

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Recipes

Three Spring Cocktails with Ginger Beer as the Base

Fermented ginger beer is spring's most underrated cocktail base. Here are three simple recipes with tarragon, rhubarb, and green apple – from an everyday aperitif to a weekend party on the terrace.

Kristine Craft · 7 min

A meal without wine is like a day without sunshine.

— JEAN-ANTHELME BRILLAT-SAVARIN

Guides

Wine at the Right Temperature – How to Chill Without Getting It Wrong

White wine that's too cold tastes like nothing; red wine that's too warm tastes like too much. Here is the practical guide to proper chilling – with timings, tricks, and the most common mistakes to avoid this spring.

Kristine Craft · 8 min

Season

The Citrus Wave That Saves the Easter Table

Yellow citrus notes in light white wine, natural cider and non-alcoholic alternatives do more than freshen up the glass – they tie the entire Easter meal together, from starter to dessert at the cabin.

Kristine Craft · 6 min

Season

Easter Lamb and Beer – the Forgotten Pairing

While wine gets all the credit with Easter lamb, the perfect beer glass is sitting there waiting. Here is a thorough rundown of which beer styles actually elevate the classic lamb – with concrete tips for the Vinmonopolet shelf.

Kristine Craft · 7 min

Did you know?

Oak barrels don't just store whisky — they actually contribute up to 70% of the spirit's final flavour through reactions between the wood and the distillate over time.