Norwegian Descendant of Captain Hans Kråbøl Connects With Brewery Over Beer Bearing His Ancestor’s Name

A 19th century portrait of Captain Hans Kråbøl of Norway.

In January of this year, we released a limited-run beer called Kråbøl in collaboration with Amsterdam Garden Centre in Pitt Meadows. Amsterdam provided Quince from their family tree and we used a special Norwegian yeast called ‘kveik’.

“We named the beer ‘Kråbøl’ after an early 19th century ship captain named Hans Kråbøl who facilitated trade between Amsterdam and Norway” explains Kevin McLean, Creative Coordinator at Foamers’ Folly. “We felt it tied together the various elements of the beer and also fit with the brewery’s theme of being ‘uniquely adventurous’ through constant exploration.”

The beer had been sold out for several months when the brewery was contacted by a man named Hans Kråbøl from Norway. Hans explained that Captain Hans Kråbøl was his great great great grandfather’s brother and was very surprised to find the beer online bearing his namesake.

A model of Captain Hans Kråbøl’s 19th century ship.

Hans sent the brewery photos of paintings of the 19th century Captain as well as a model of his ship. “The paintings do not at all resemble the image on the label,” Kevin said. “Had we seen those photos before we designed the label, perhaps we would have given Kråbøl a more realistic persona!”

He asked why the beer was named ‘Kråbøl’ and we explained the story and that it was symbolic of our partnership with Amsterdam Garden Centre and the beer’s Norwegian yeast. “I think he was as equally surprised and delighted as we were,” Kevin said. “We never dreamed that something like this would happen!”

While the brewery had been sold out of the beer for several months, we began a hunt for some Kråbøl to send to Hans. “Luckily we had tucked a single 4-pack away and one of our brewers, Eilish, found it!” Kevin explained. “We sent that off to Hans’ farm in Norway and he sent us back a photo of him enjoying it with his family.” Hans also explained that the farm that he lives on has been in his family for several centuries and that it was frequently the home of Captain Hans Kråbøl himself.

“Sometimes you get the feeling that things are just meant to be, and this was one of those times,” Kevin reflected. “To connect with someone on the other side of the world over a beer is really compelling for us.”