Brewora Borealis
Way up north in Oulu, Beer House Leskinen is known for its intimacy and comfort, almost like an extension to your living room. But it also has a reputation as a real original with something new always on offer; restaurateurs Ari Flinck, Esa Hiltunen, and Mika Jacklin never take the easy option.
“It can be challenging, but for us it has worked well,” says Flinck.”We do things quite differently from most restaurants. You can see it in our marketing, advertising, campaigns, and customer parties. Everything is thought through down to the last detail of interior design, music, and staff uniforms. We develop the concept like any brand.” This extends to starting off a Christmas party with mass, or commissioning advertising posters from Tuomas Mujunen that are so accomplished, they end up on the wall of the local art gallery, Galleria 5.
As for the beer, Leskinen has 19 on draught from around the world, plus another 50 by the bottle. They have to keep up with all the latest information, and sample a lot of beer, to maintain such an ambitious selection. Six of the draught beers are changed regularly and these “guests” fall into categories like Beer of the Month, Visiting Belgian, Gäst Schimanski for German beers, FinnHit from Finnish microbreweries, and Random for everything else. As a coup de grâce, In February 2007 Leskinen introduced the northernmost draught real ale in the world. (Real ale is matured by secondary fermentation in the cask, is never filtered or pasteurized, and is never served “fizzy” with extra carbon dioxide or nitrogen.)
Established 15 years ago, Leskinen recently moved to a new location on the busy Rotuaari pedestrian street in downtown Oulu. These premises are larger, allowing for a more extensive drinks selection. As well as all the beers, the bar now offers four draught ciders, 12 bottled ciders, plus wine, whiskies, and even cocktails. Food is available in the shape of tapas which chef Janne Marttinen keeps under constant development.
Oluthuone Leskinen
Address Kirkkokatu 10, 90100 Oulu
Tel. +358 8 3117993
Website www.leskinen.fi
Seats 68 + patio 36
open Sun-Tue 12:00-02:00, Wed-Fri 12:00-03:00, Sat 11:00-03:00
Signature drink The world’s most northern real ale
Restaurateurs Ari Flinck, Esa Hiltunen, and Mika Jacklin
Restaurantmanager Esa Hiltunen
Chef Janne Marttinen
Location On Rotuaari pedestrian streetin the heart of Oulu.
“Selfless work promoting beer culture. Helps other local entrepreneurs as well.” / “Has taken a lot of work and a lot of trying. Have maintained the quality of the place and developed it year after year.” / “Beer and whisky selection with a lot of heart. Several theme weeks from Christmas beers to Oktoberfest keep it current. The location is central, but still feels intimate. And the staff know what they’re talking about.” / “Place created with enthusiasm in which customers feel at home and can share their ups and downs in life.”
