The Municipality of Höganäs has previously promised to be as quick as possible with the permit process. As early as 8:30 am on Sunday morning, the town hall opened its doors to four local producers who took the knowledge test required in the permit process.
All of them passed and have thus been granted permission to sell self-produced alcoholic beverages directly to customers between 10:00 am and 8:00 pm.
"Historic feeling"
Lukas Östberg from Höganäs Brewery hopes that he was the one who sold the first bottle in Sweden.
I think it was the first. I think so. It's a historic feeling, he says.
The brewery's first beer was sold on the dot at 10:00 am to the chairman of the municipal council, Peter Schölander, who has driven the question of farm sales politically for several years.
The Municipality of Höganäs has applied to become a pilot municipality for farm sales six times. But it's only now that the alcohol law has been amended that the dream has become a reality.
I got a little touched and actually teary-eyed when they passed the test, he says and takes a sigh of relief.
It's been a super-long process. We've held lectures in Almedalen and in the Riksdag. We've written editorials and debate articles for more than ten years.
Feels un-Swedish
At Kullabergs Vineyard, over a hundred guests came to inaugurate the vineyard's brand-new farm shop.
What's happening now is that our visitors can take a bottle of wine home as a memory, as a keepsake, and I think that will make a big difference for the spread of the fact that there are actually Swedish wines, says Björn Odlander, chairman of Kullabergs Vineyard.
Pia Gellner and Elsa Lundin were two of the first to buy wine in the shop.
It feels very un-Swedish and thrilling. Höganäs has been a driving force in this issue and there's enthusiasm for farm sales here, says Pia Gellner and emphasizes that she "likes" Systembolaget and cares about public health.
They're not coming here for the booze. What's being sold here is a bit more expensive. If they have a new launch, we'll also be able to buy directly and avoid waiting for it to come to Systembolaget.
Fact: Farm Sales
TT
Anyone who purchases locally produced alcohol on-site must first participate in a paid-for visit arrangement with content related to the drink being sold. The customer must be informed about the harmful effects of alcohol. The customer must be at least 20 years old. The Public Health Agency's regulations permit sales on all weekdays between 10:00 am and 8:00 pm, but the municipality can decide on other time frames. The basic requirements for the seller are the same as those for serving permits. Among other things, a passed knowledge test on the alcohol law and the regulations surrounding it is required.
