Local brewery expands its presence at Ikea stores in Japan

een very limited. But clearly it works rather well in Japan,” says Tim Persson, CEO of Klackabackens Bryggeri.
Klackabacken is among the many small and medium-sized breweries that have contributed to shaping Sweden’s modern craft beer landscape over the past ten years. Operating within a market where the state alcohol retail monopoly, Systembolaget, serves as the primary distribution channel to consumers, independent producers have increasingly turned to exports, festival sales, and unique collaborations to thrive.
In November 2025, Klackabacken introduced two beers to Ikea Japan: its pilsner and the West Coast IPA Elin. The response surpassed expectations, with Elin emerging as the more popular choice.
“It is possible that they chose those two because one label is yellow and the other is blue, but we will leave that unsaid. To our great surprise, Elin has been by far the stronger seller,” reveals Persson.
While the pilsner may seem like a conventional option for British drinkers, Elin’s success highlights the enduring appeal of the clear, bitter, and aromatic West Coast IPA. This style has experienced a resurgence in Sweden and much of northern Europe after a period dominated by hazier, softer New England-style IPAs.
The achievement in Japan is partially attributed to the nation’s deep-seated interest in Scandinavian design, food, and craft culture. An additional factor contributing to this success is pricing. Ikea Japan maintained the beer at a price only slightly higher than its cost in Sweden, positioning it as an accessible Swedish import rather than a premium specialty.
For a brewery of Klackabacken’s magnitude, fulfilling orders of 50,000 cans at once represents both opportunities and challenges.
“Big deals always carry significance. They enable us to streamline production in a distinct manner. Nevertheless, there is a pressing need to manage liquidity. Delays can become critical when the beer requires 60 days to arrive by boat,” notes Persson.
Klackabacken has commenced the year with a flurry of activity. In addition to the collaboration with Ikea, the brewery is participating in a vibrant summer in southern Sweden, brewing beer for the Kristianstad City Festival, hosting a bar at the Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg, an influential rock and metal event that attracts attendees from throughout Sweden, as well as arranging the Klackabacken Beer Fest on August 15.
“At the present time, we sense that we are riding a wave of momentum with numerous exciting developments unfolding. This is a welcomed change after several challenging years,” expresses Tim Persson.
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