When we were in Turku we visited Koulu, or "Skolan" as it is called in Swedish. It doesn't sound like much fun, but the old girls' school now houses a brewery and a restaurant, and here we got to take part in a beer tasting!
School is in the walls
When the building was completed in 1889, the "Fruntimmersskolan" moved in. The school then changed its name an awful lot, from "Svenska flickskolan i Åbo" to "Åbo svenska flicklyceum" and to "Cygnaeusskolan".
The last student left the school in 1997 and the following year the brewery and restaurant opened with the name Koulu, "The School". Today, the Koulu, "The School", Finland's largest restaurant brewery with an annual beer production of 150,000 litres and 800 seats on two floors, for lunch, dinner and parties.
Even though these are new times, the history is in the walls. The first thing you see when you enter is a school carpet, and in the various rooms, which have obviously been classrooms, there are chalkboards, rules of order and world maps... as if the students were here just a short time ago.
Beer tasting in the "School"
The beer tasting started with a guided tour of the premises where the beer is produced and the whole process was described to us. I wasn't a very good "student" in school, so I can't reproduce it all, but it was at least interesting to follow around and see what it looks like in a restaurant brewery. In addition to the beer production, we got to see a lot of other rooms, such as the Bellman party room and the Vinstugan - yep, there's even wine here!
After the tour, it was time for tasting! We got to try four different types of beer, which were all very good and flavourful. I have been to many different wine tastings in my life, but never actually been to a beer tasting before, so it was a bit interesting. Do you like beer and if so, have you ever been to a beer tasting?
More to see and do in the neighbourhood
There is much to see and do in and around Turku. For example, we can advise on Turku Castle, Turku market hall, if good restaurants around Turku and if Turku archipelago in winter splendour. In addition, there is of course much to see and what to do in Helsinki. Even more tips about Finland can be found below.
Things to do in Rauma - 15 tips for a Finnish UNESCO city
What to do in Rauma, Finland? Founded in 1442, this small town surprises with its...
Winter cruise to Finland - Christmas atmosphere on board the Finnsirius
We have made a winter cruise to Finland, with Finnline's new fine cruise ship Finnsirius. In December is...
Things to do in Naantali - 15 tips for a Finnish archipelago gem
What to do in Naantali? This small Finnish town is a real archipelago gem that you...
Haltia Nature Centre in Espoo, Finland
Outside Espoo, not far from Helsinki, you will find the Haltia Nature Centre. To come here is to...
What to do in Turku - 30 sights and experiences
What to do in Turku? This Finnish city, once the capital of Finland, is...
Visiting Turku Castle - Swedish and Finnish history
Visiting Turku Castle in Finland is very interesting. The castle, which is over 700 years...
Things to do in Ostrobothnia, Finland - 12 tips
What to do in Ostrobothnia, Finland? This is an interesting area for travelling,...
Matka - Northern Europe's largest travel fair
We visited Matka - Northern Europe's largest travel fair. On 21-24 January, the doors opened at the Helsinki Exhibition...
Bothnian Coastal Route - FREEDOMtravel Themed Roads
The Gulf of Bothnia Coastal Route takes you around the Gulf of Bothnia, which is the northernmost bay of the Baltic Sea,...
Things to do in Haparanda and Tornio - 16 tips
What to do in Haparanda and Tornio? Two cities in two different countries, but almost...
Eating well in Finland - 4 restaurants around Turku
Can you eat well in Finland? What do you think of when you hear "Finnish food"? I...
BestPark car parks in Finland - we have tested them
Have you discovered BestPark sites in Finland? We have been travelling by motorhome in Finland for almost...
Things to do in Raahe, Finland - 10 tips
What to do in Raahe, Finland? This is a small and very charming town...
What to do in Närpes - 12 tips for the tomato town in Finland
What to do in Närpes, Finland? This interesting Ostrobothnian town offers everything from...
Gold nuggets in Åland - tips for your visit
Guest writer: Jonathan Gharbi de Maré Åland is cosy, beautiful and relaxing. There is a lot to see...
Things to do in Kökar on Åland - our 12 best tips
What to do in Kökar in Åland? This is a fantastic little island to visit,...
Things to do in Föglö, Åland - our top 10 tips
What to do in Föglö in Åland? This little gem, in the Åland archipelago, has...
Matka travel fair in Helsinki 2018
The Matka travel fair in Helsinki is not only Finland's largest travel fair, but the largest travel fair in the entire...
Finncanopus to Finland - premiere of new vessel
Guest writer: Jonathan Gharbi de Maré It was time for a premiere in a double sense. Both for...
Winter weekend in Turku - Christmas atmosphere and markets
We have had a wonderful winter weekend in Turku, filled with Christmas spirit and Christmas markets, combined with museum visits....
Visiting Moominworld in Naantali - tips and info
Visiting Moominworld in Naantali, Finland, is a wonderfully cosy and nostalgic experience, especially if you...
What to do in Oulu, Finland - 20 tips
What to do in Oulu, Finland? This city, located at the mouth of the Oulu River, is...
Things to do in Eckerö, Åland - 10 tips
What to do in Eckerö, Åland? This western part of Åland is the closest to Sweden,...
Cool mini caravans and motorhomes at Caravan in Helsinki
Last Friday, we took a look at mini caravans and motorhomes at Caravan Helsinki, the motorhome and caravan exhibition that...
Day cruise to Åland with Eckerölinjen
Yesterday we went on a day cruise to Åland with Eckerölinjen. Peter's father turned 80 years old...
Visiting Kastelholm Castle - Åland's only medieval castle
Visiting Kastelholm Castle is very interesting and exciting. This is Åland's only medieval castle, founded...
What to do in Jakobstad, Finland - 20 tips
What to do in Pietarsaari, Finland? This lovely little Ostrobothnian town has everything...
Some reflections from Finland
Although we travel a lot, we may not travel enough in our neighbouring countries. We...
What to do in Åland - 30 sights and experiences
What to do in Åland? This self-governing and Swedish-speaking little island kingdom is not only beautiful,...
Weekend in Turku - spa, culture and good food
A few weeks ago we spent a weekend in Turku, filled with spa, culture and good food...
Turku market hall - delicacies and pastries
Do you like food and are thinking of travelling to Turku? If so, you should definitely plan a...
Finnlines' new vessel to Åland and Naantali - the state-of-the-art Finnsirius
Finnline's new ship to Åland and Naantali is called Finnsirius and is a state-of-the-art cruise ship with...
Choosing a ferry or flight to Helsinki?
Should you choose ferry or flight to Helsinki? As you may know, we are travelling to Helsinki...
Visiting Bomarsund Fortress - interesting history in Åland
Visiting the Bomarsund Fortress is really interesting. Here, Russia once built a mighty...
Things to do in Oravais, Ostrobothnia - 10 tips
What to do in Oravais, Ostrobothnia, Finland? Oravais is no more than a...
Caravan - Motorhome exhibition in Helsinki
This weekend we visited Caravan, a motorhome exhibition in Helsinki. The fair was organised in connection with the big...
Things to do in Mariehamn, Åland - 12 tips
What to do in Mariehamn, Åland? This cosy little town offers everything from...
Things to do in Kristinestad - 15 tips for a Finnish wooden house idyll
What to do in Kristinestad, Finland? This small Ostrobothnian wooden house idyll offers charming alleyways,...
Suomenlinna in Helsinki - sea fortress with Swedish history
Things to do in Vaasa in Finland - 20 sights and experiences
What to do in Vaasa, Finland? This Finnish city is the centre of Ostrobothnia, and...
Visiting Kalajoki Camping - lovely sand dunes in Finland
Visiting Kalajoki Camping in Finland can be a wonderful experience. When, on the eve of our trip to Finland, we...
Turku archipelago: ferries, art and barefoot paths
Yesterday we visited the Art Bank art museum, which turned out to have some real surprises. The day before yesterday...
What to do in Helsinki - 30 sights and experiences
What to do in Helsinki? This Nordic capital offers a lot of design and...
Matka 2019 - the major travel fair in Helsinki
It's time to tell you about Matka 2019! Matka is the largest travel fair in the Nordic region and...
What to do in Kokkola, Finland - 17 tips
What to do in Kokkola, Finland? Situated on the coast, this cosy city offers...
Facts about Finland - 30 things you (might) not know
Facts about Finland are on offer today! Our neighbouring country offers everything from exciting history to...
Turku archipelago in winter splendour - ice fishing and sauna bathing
At lunchtime yesterday we landed at Helsinki airport. It was not quite as cold as we...
Ten hours in Turku for a bon vivant
Guest writer: Jonathan Gharbi de Maré There's a lot to do in a day. Maybe not a city...
Vackralillavardag says:
Beer at Koulu is good! Hope you enjoy my old study city! 🙂 Although Turku is probably most beautiful in the summer of course!
21 January 2016 - 8:31
Åsa says:
I don't like strong beer but am addicted to light beer...otherwise I prefer red wine! Or vinho verde!
21 January 2016 - 10:00
nils-åke hansson says:
Went to Nørrebro Bryghus in Copenhagen for a beer tasting. 7 dishes and 7 beers.
Does it include Åland and the archipelago when you talk about the archipelago in Turku?
I am a bit jealous that you are there in the winter.
21 January 2016 - 10:25
Veiken says:
I drink beer as rarely as I can so I've never been to a beer tasting. It's interesting to read about anyway! 🙂
21 January 2016 - 10:42
Ama de casa says:
What a cool place! 🙂
When it's hot and you sit down on an outdoor terrace, it's very good with an ice-cold beer.
I've been checking out beer production, including at Carlsberg and Guinness, but not exactly at a tasting. In fact, we got to taste beer...
We had beer tasting at home instead. We had to guess which types of beer there were. I could tell the difference between light and dark beer. When I saw it. Haha!
21 January 2016 - 10:43
Role o Carina says:
Beer is just so good on a hot summer day! 🙂
Take care and enjoy......
21 January 2016 - 10:57
Mr Steve says:
Nice restaurant-brewery (I didn't know there were such) and so good that they have preserved parts of the school environment and thus much of the soul and history of the building.
I like light Czech beer. However, I have never been to a beer tasting.
21 January 2016 - 10:30
Eva - People in the Street says:
I have actually been to a beer tasting once, but it is a bit wasted on me as I do not like beer... But fun anyway! And you seem to have had a fantastically rich and rewarding blog trip 🙂 .
21 January 2016 - 11:34
admin says:
Vackralillavardag, oh what fun that Turku is your student city! We thought the city was really nice in winter clothes too! 🙂
Åsa, interesting that you like light beer but not strong beer. A bit unusual perhaps? Vino verde we also like!!! 🙂
Nils-Åke, oh wow, that didn't sound stupid!!! I do not think that Åland is included in the Turku archipelago, but that it is all the small islands a little closer to the coast. But you can take a boat from there to Åland!
Steve, I've probably never been to a restaurant brewery before either 😉 I also like Czech, but also Belgian beer. Have to say that the beer here was also really good 😉.
Veiken, not everyone is so fond of beer. In our house, I'm the one who drinks the most beer (Peter usually drinks red wine) 😉.
Ama de casa, I wouldn't think it was so easy to say beer types blindly either. But the difference between dark and light I would also manage, haha 😉.
Rolle and Carina, that's when it's at its best. But I like to drink beer with food at any time of the year 😉.
Eva, not as much fun if you don't like beer... Yes, a great trip! 🙂
21 January 2016 - 12:13
Lennart says:
Never wrong with a beer or several!
21 January 2016 - 13:15
Ditte says:
How nice with beer tasting here. I have taken notes for my next visit to Turku. I have NOT been here. But I have been to beer tasting in China, in the city of Xingtao, where the beer "Tsingtao" is produced and in Amsterdam. If you visit Åland and "Smakbyn" it is also possible to try beer. (On a smaller scale)
21 January 2016 - 13:15
BP says:
I really like the place! Time has stood still there and everything is preserved - except for the brewery itself. Really delicious and big! Imagine that such a small town as Turku/Pargas can have the world's largest Dali collection and Finland's largest restaurant brewery. So fun that you tell me, I would never have guessed that.
Haven't been to a beer tasting either, maybe you should take the ferry to Turku now....
21 January 2016 - 13:51
admin says:
Lennart, right? 😉
Ditte, always impressed when we find a place where you haven't been, haha 😉 Fun with beer tasting in China!
BP, right? We have been impressed actually and I would love to see more of Turku! It might be a visit in the summertime at some point 🙂 .
21 January 2016 - 16:31
Alexandra says:
No, I haven't been to a beer tasting, but I've tried drinking a lot of beer... But maybe that's another matter 😉.
But I would probably rather go to a beer tasting than a wine tasting! Although both would be a bit like throwing pearls at pigs. But I would love to visit a brewery and see the process!
21 January 2016 - 23:16
admin says:
Alexandra, haha, drinking a lot of beer is not really the same thing... but it can be nice too 😉 I like both beer and wine, but I drink red wine extremely rarely because it gives me a headache or migraine... 🙁
22 January 2016 - 11:50
Henny says:
Can imagine a visit there too - even if I am not a beer connoisseur. Then of course it is the room that attracts an old teacher 🙂 There was also food and wine you wrote.
23 January 2016 - 10:47
Maria that from an interior design point of view says:
Lovely photos even though I prefer wine tasting not to mention chocolate haha 🙂 .
Today I offer my new favourite recipe on the blog 🙂 .
Have a great new week!
24 January 2016 - 22:47
Aaa says:
I have participated in a beer tasting in Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic. The beer is of course called Budweiser.
15 February 2016 - 20:06