Faroese brewery charged with illegal sale of spirits to staff and owners

A Faroese brewery is facing charges for allegedly selling spirits to employees and owners of a bar in the capital Tórshavn, in violation of its licence, national broadcaster Kringvarp Føroya reports.

The brewery, Føroya Bjór, is accused of supplying alcohol to Essabar, a bar in the city’s Havn district, between December 11, 2023, and November 29, 2024. According to the indictment, the sales were made in “large quantities” but no specific volume is stated.

Under Faroese law, Føroya Bjór is permitted to sell alcohol only to visitors at its own premises, not to third parties. The brewery has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which will be heard in court on Friday. Prosecutors are seeking financial penalties.

The case follows a 2023 amendment to Faroese alcohol regulations, which granted Føroya Bjór the right to sell spirits to tourists on December 11 that year.