Swedish Cocktail Expert Emil Åreng at ASI This Fall

For one week this October, Swedish cocktail expert Emil Åreng will bring the spirit of his bar FACIT from Umeå to the American Swedish Institute, featuring a public lecture, a chef’s dinner with FIKA Café, and a roundtable discussion with local industry leaders.  

Co-curated by FIKA Café’s Executive Chef Amalia Obermeier-Smith and internationally acclaimed bartender and author Emil Åreng, this special 5-course chef’s dinner will feature food and beverage pairings inspired by Sweden’s five regions and highlight Emil’s work with local producers and ingredients. There are additional opportunities to hear from Emil, including the Nordic Table lecture Drinking in Sweden – South to North on Thursday, October 30, and a roundtable discussion with Emil, Emily Vikre of Vikre Distillery, and other industry leaders on November 2. 

Emil Åreng is one of Sweden’s foremost bartenders and works as an author, entrepreneur, and cocktail expert in the Swedish beverage industry. In 2021, Emil opened FACIT Bar in Umeå, Sweden; FACIT uses only Swedish ingredients and was recognized as the best new bar in Sweden in 2023. His latest book is Svensk Sprit – groggar bål och cocktails.

“This trip is a great opportunity to share ideas on how to work sustainably, but also old school with foraging and everything that surrounds nature in every single way,” said Emil.

Nordic Table lecture: Drinking in Sweden – South to North with Emil Åreng
Thu, October 30, 7 pm–8 pm
Join Emil to learn more about the current state of the Swedish beverage scene. Registrants will hear Emil’s insights about five important regions in the Swedish beverage scene in this evening lecture. 

Chefs’ Dinner: FIKA + FACIT
Sat, November 1, 6 pm–8 pm
Join FIKA Café’s Executive Chef Amalia Obermeier-Smith and Emil for this special five-course dinner, with each course representing distinct regions of Sweden through paired food and beverages. Throughout the dinner, guests will hear more about the chefs’ inspiration for each dish. 

Beverages from the North 
Sun, November 2, 1–3 pm
A roundtable discussion on how our northern landscapes inform and inspire some of the most innovative beverages in the Swedish and American hospitality scenes with Emil, Emily Vikre, and other local beverage industry leaders.