Get to Know Molo Brew
På Molo er blir du møtt med et imponerende utvalg av øl og en atmosfære som ønsker deg velkommen, enten du er en eller mange. Der finner du hele 25 forskjellige utkastslinjer, hvorav to er dedikert til det hyllede «Hellelujah». Det er helt klart de har noe unikt å tilby for enhver smak og anledning. Men hva er det egentlig som gjør et besøk på Molo så trivelig? Hva er hemmeligheten bak den unike stemningen og det imponerende ølutvalget?
Molo Brew stands out with its wide range of flavor profiles and beer styles, from refreshing ales to complex brews. However, it’s not just the traditional beers that steal the spotlight; Molo has also built a reputation for offering some of the best non-alcoholic options on the market. In addition, they tempt beer lovers with seasonal sours, porters, and stouts.
Europe's most important beer competition
With 550 breweries from 47 countries, the European Beer Star Awards stands out as one of the most internationally diverse beer competitions, showcasing a variety of global brewing craftsmanship. In a competition with over 2,000 different beers, only the top three in each category are awarded gold, silver, or bronze medals. The team at Molo, with their passion for brewing great beer, have truly made an impression. When they decided to enter the European Beer Star Awards in Nuremberg, Germany, they could hardly have imagined coming home with the gold medal. MOLO IPA was crowned the winner among thousands of entries from breweries around the world.
However, this is not the first time Molo has triumphed in a competition. In London, at the European Beer Challenge, they secured first place and a gold medal for "Hellelujah" in the Helles category, silver for "Instant Hero" in the German Pilsner category, and bronze for "Organ Fiesta" in the Latin Style Beer category. Randy, the master brewer from the USA, has led the team to success in several international competitions.
For å få en bedre forståelse av hva Molo handler om, dro jeg til bryggeriet for å snakke med Sajjad. En kjernekar med en ordentlig kul historie.
Dette er Sajjad
Sajjad Shinwari er daglig leder på Molo og har jobbet der siden Molo åpnet i 2017. In 2016, when Sajjad decided to leave his homeland to pursue a master's at NTNU in Ålesund, it was a bold move. He had never boarded a plane before. Alongside his studies, Sajjad found himself washing dishes at the busy venue, Terminalen. A random tip in a group chat led him to a new bar across the street that was in need of help.
Molo, the place across the street, became Sajjad's new home. After memorizing the menus and learning the cash systems, he quickly moved up to become a full-time, dedicated server. After a year, Sajjad felt a strong desire to further develop his skills. He began spending more time behind the bar, and soon became a skilled bartender.
I 2021, under pandemien, trakk daglig leder seg fra stillingen. Takket være sin brede erfaring og dedikasjon, ble Sajjad oppfordret av eierne til å søke på lederrollen. I september 2021 ble han stolt utnevnt til leder, en rolle som kler han veldig godt.
How did MOLO end up featured on HBO?
One thing I was curious about is the backstory of how Molo ended up in the HBO series. "Did you know that Molo would be featured in Succession?"
No! I was at a meeting on a Tuesday morning when the phone rang. Although I usually don’t take calls during meetings, I answered this time. The caller was a Norwegian producer, and he asked if they could rent some equipment. When I asked what they were after, they weren’t entirely sure. The director and her assistant set up a meeting with Randy and me, and we briefed them on what we could supply. We sent some of our non-alcoholic beers and glasses to Valldal along with some equipment. They told us they couldn’t reveal what they were filming for, and asked us to sign a confidentiality agreement. Later, we saw in the newspaper that Succession was being filmed in Valldal, and we quickly realized that the beer was meant for the HBO show.
You can see Molo in Season 4, Episode 5 of Succession.
So, who exactly is Randy?
Randy Jensen, a proud member of the Molo family since 2017, brings with him an American craft brewing tradition and 16 years of professional experience to Ålesund. Randy is the man behind the brewery's creations, and he loves sharing his passion and expertise with visitors. What's Randy's favorite beer? Curious? Just ask him next time you're at Molo.
Randy’s career began in Tennessee, where, at 18, he started working in a brewery kitchen. At the time, he only knew what most 18-year-olds know about beer – not much. After three months in the kitchen, the doors opened to the brewers. "They let me in to start filtering and basically cleaning everything. After a few years there, I decided to go back to school to study and advance my career as a brewer."
When I asked Randy what he loves most about his job as a brewer, he quickly responded, "The best part of brewing is undoubtedly tasting the product! There are so many complexities to experience when you taste different styles." Randy describes the joy of brewing, from the aromas of malt hitting the water during mashing to the moment when the room fills with steam during boiling. When people walk in and wonder, 'What's that smell?' it gives Randy a chance to share the joy of hops and malt. “It is so motivating to watch people taste something for the first time, and have it amplify their experience while at Molo.”
So what can you expect when you stop by Molo?
Molo is simply more than just a brewery. At Molo, craft brewing meets great vibes, with people and food at its heart. Here, you'll find competitive, skilled, and, not to mention, attractive people who make your visit to Molo so enjoyable. Come alone, with friends, or in a larger group – there's plenty of space for everyone. Enjoy a delicious burger, challenge your friends to shuffleboard or board games, and sip on a cold one. Cheers!
