Olvi's story began in 1878 when brewmaster William Gideon Åberg and his wife Onni established a brewery in Iisalmi, Finland, aiming to curb alcoholism by offering milder alcoholic beverages to Finns. Of the approximately 78 breweries operating in Finland at the time, Olvi remains the only one still independently owned and Finnish. Olvi has had brewery operations in Iisalmi for more than 145 years.
Today, Olvi has evolved into an international beverage group comprising parent company Olvi and its subsidiaries, with operations in six countries. The headquarters and production facilities are still based in Iisalmi. Olvi is a publicly listed company, with its primary shareholder being the non-profit OLVI Foundation. The Åberg-Hortling brewing family continues its legacy at Olvi, with the sixth generation now learning the craft of brewing.
The brewery is deeply rooted in Finland’s bedrock. Pure water—specifically, high-quality local groundwater from Upper Savo—is the main ingredient in all Olvi beverages.
Olvi’s core values are local, positive, agile, and respectful. Sustainability is integral to Olvi’s strategy, reflected in the daily operations of the brewery group. Olvi aims to promote responsible and sustainable business practices across the entire value chain, from sourcing raw materials and ensuring employee well-being to reducing the environmental impact of its products. The Olvi Group is committed to supporting biodiversity, combating climate change, and advancing social responsibility. Profits from the brewery are reinvested into society through the charitable work of the OLVI Foundation for the common good.
The Brewery Museum exhibition brings all of this together: Finnish identity, local roots, the art of brewing, Finnish history, circular economy, purity, quality, and a passion for crafting Finnish beer. The exhibition also sheds light on the history and development of the Åberg-Hortling brewing family.
At the heart of the Brewery Museum maintained by the OLVI Foundation now beats a magnificent new immersive experience space called the Spirit of Olvi.
The Spirit of Olvi experience space tells the 145-year history of Olvi as part of the Finnish brewing industry. Come and experience this magnificent journey through history!
The Olvi Spirit exhibition space at the Brewery Museum utilizes advanced audiovisual technology and experiential storytelling.
In the space, you can also enjoy a virtual brewery tour of Olvi. The production of modern beer is a combination of many factors, including locality, circular economy, purity, quality, and love for the product. Dive with us into the heart of Olvi Brewery and discover how your favorite drink is made.
Three-Part Exhibition Overview
1) Basic Exhibition: Showcasing the brewing process and historical artifacts.
2) Spirit of Olvi: A 145-year historical journey and audiovisiual brewery tour (total duration over two hours).
3) Old Åberg Office and Laboratory: Featuring a nostalgic ambiance of the advertising world of yesteryear.
The museum is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Access to the Olvi Spirit space is available during the Olvi Beer Hall’s opening hours. There is no admission fee and no guide provided.
Group Visits (B2B)
Book a guided tour for groups (minimum of 4 people - max 30 people) during the Olvi Beer Hall’s opening hours. Tours can be arranged Monday to Friday between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM by appointment.
Price €100 per hour.
Private Events
Private events can be arranged outside of regular hours, Monday to Saturday from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, for an additional fee in coordination with the Olvi Beer Hall.
Reservations
Email: olvi@compass-group.fi
Phone: +358 40 660 5957
The unique brewing museum is at the Olvi beer hall in Iisalmi, next to the Olvi brewery.
After a tour of the museum, visitors can reserve a Olvi Beer Tasting (€25 per person) and enjoy a rich buffet lunch at the Restaurant in the Beer hall (€12,50).
Welcome on a journey through the history of beer!
The Brewery Museum has been awarded the Quality1000 (Q1000) Certificate. Tailored for the tourism sector and based on international quality criteria, the Quality1000 development program by Perho PRO and its awarded certificate confirm that operations meet sustainable development and standards and the quality criteria required of a tourism destination. All operations throughout the Olvi Group’s entire value chain adhere to Olvi's sustainability goals.
