Beer classification in Sweden and Finland

While previously enforced by law, the beer class legislation was repealed in 1995 with the accession of Finland into the European Union and the consequent harmonization of tax law, and is now merely kept as a convention.

[1] However, drinks containing under 2.8% alcohol (Class I) are still favorably taxed, and the retail sale of any drinks containing more than 5.5% alcohol were still limited to state retailer Alko.

[3] Only classes I and II can be purchased in supermarkets, while class III can only be purchased in restaurants licensed to do so, and the state shops Systembolaget.

Class II beer is loosely divided into two sub-groups, light "Folköl" ("people's beer") with a maximum ABV of 2.8% and normal "Folköl", with a maximum ABV of 3.5%.

Mellanöl used to be available in supermarkets between October 1, 1965 and July 1, 1977, but was removed from the supermarkets due to heavy consumption by Swedish teenagers.