Our Story
Water factory and the brewery 1920-1930
In 1920 The Worker's Union established the Water factory in Kemi, Lapland. A chief, the constructor and the Brew master was Heikki Tuomisto. He started to build a bit bigger factory and the brewery just across his living house on Valtakatu, and so it became the Brewery, which was profitable, and collected workers and bourgeoisie as clients. There were a water well at the same place. Heikki's children made homework at the same place, while guests visited the bar, and the brewery.
The beer was made from burnt and unburned barley, including porter. In the 1930s, the factory had to be sold to Tornio Brewery.
One of Heikki's children, Terttu Tuomisto (1921-2017), has written an autobiography in which she has also told the story of the entire brewery. Terttu had to move to the Soviet Union in 1933 and did not return to Finland until 1986, during Mikhail Gorbachev's presidency. Paavo Tuomisto (1949-2020), one of Tertu's children, was born in Vladivostok, where he started a family. Now the descendants of Terttu and Paavo living in Finland have decided to revive the beer production bearing the name of Kemi and thus respect the life work of the deceased relatives and the city's drinking traditions.
The new beer brand has been named "Old Kemi". Although the beer is from southern Lapland, the first production started in Finnish gypsy breweries.
Today
The cooperation with Gypsy breweries
UG Brewery has been producing and selling Old Kemi beer since December 10, 2020, thanks to its human concept and the opportunity to turn tradition into success in small steps.
Starting from 2025 Salama Brewing started to produce Old Kemi beers.
Planned steady growth and development
Old Kemi has a plan to establish a Brewery in Kemi when the right partnership will be found and right time for that will come naturally!
You can order products directly from myynti@oldkemi.fi
Plans for 2025-26
Old Kemi is planning to launch in Salla, Lapland, 29 November in cooperation with Sallavalkea Hotel owners.
There will be a triple opening: Sallavalkea Hotel, Old Kemi beers and Georgian wine and spirits.