I think we all know at this point that I erred on the side of ignorant about Swedish culture, until I married a Swede. One of the first things I learned when visiting Sweden (OK, it wasn’t the first – but it was close) was that Sweden’s liquor stores are governmentally owned. That’s right, folks.  No mom and pop corner stores selling your Colt 45’s here. It all very organized and very, um, Swedish.

The Systematic Enterprise (Systembolaget, as it’s known here) is found in most towns, Sangis NOT included (it’s too small – the closest town that sells booze is a 20 minute drive away). They distribute only certain brands of alcohol and display them as though they’re Louis Vuitton’s latest collection.

 They close their doors at 2:00 on Saturday afternoon and don’t open again until Monday morning at 10:00, making weekend drink planning very critical. Saturday night beer runs are an unheard-of phenomenon around here.