Lofoten Islands, Norway—Solsiden Brygge
All over the world, people start their day with an espresso and take the next steps toward their dreams. Espresso Anywhere is a new series that offers a glimpse into the unique and inspiring ways individuals are using their espresso machines to fuel their passions and pursue their dreams. We’re kicking off this series with a trip to the breathtaking Lofoten Islands, where renowned photographer Hannes Becker turned his love for espresso into an extraordinary midnight sun pop-up café.

the setup
In January of 2024, Hannes Becker, a photographer renowned for capturing the fleeting beauty of the natural world, approached us with a unique idea: a month long pop-up event in one of the most remote and stunning locations in Europe—the Lofoten Islands, Norway—where the elusive midnight sun bathes the landscape in 24-hour daylight for just a brief period each year. In July, this vision became reality as Hannes set up a month-long pop-up at Solsiden Brygge, an historic fishing village turned cozy lodge.
Much like crafting the perfect shot of espresso, Hannes’ project was a testament to the power of precise variables coming together in harmony. The challenge of reaching the Lofoten Islands, the fleeting nature and timelessness of the midnight sun, along with working with multiple La Marzocco branches around the world on logistics all mirrored the delicate balance needed to create something truly special.
This collaboration was an exploration of how, in both coffee and life, the convergence of many precise elements can result in an unforgettable experience.
We sat down with Hannes to learn more about his experience…
Hannes, an espresso pop-up on Lofoten during the midnight sun sounds like a dream. What inspired you to combine photography and espresso in such a unique way? Was there a specific moment or idea that sparked this concept?
Northern Norway, and especially the Lofoten Islands, is a truly unique place that I’ve fallen in love with over the years while working as an outdoor photographer. I’ve returned year after year, not just for work—the remote islands have almost become a second home, where I find peace and escape. My passion for crafting coffee developed more recently, but it’s something I now carry with me on my travels. Combining both passions into a passion project felt like a natural next step.
I’ve noticed that most specialty coffee shops are found in more “livable” areas and cities, which, unsurprisingly, aren’t the places I enjoy visiting the most. I wanted to create a space in a truly “special” place, where I could serve a delicious cup of coffee. And, to some extent, even educate others a little about the art of coffee.



What is it about Solsiden Brygge that makes it so special to you? Out of all the places in the world, why did you choose Ballstad for this?
The Lofoten Islands are a very small place—only about 25,000 people live there permanently, scattered across various fishing villages. After many visits, you feel like you’ve seen them all, yet only a few have really grown on me. One of them is Ballstad, a village nestled between the mountains and the ocean. It’s also home to Solsiden Brygge, which translates to “sunny side,” and they truly live up to the name.
My good friend Marcus runs the hotel and restaurant complex there, and we’ve been dreaming for a long time about creating a little project together. He gave me the opportunity to take over a corner of the bar and turn it into the Pop-Up. It’s simply the perfect location to enjoy a coffee & the sun.
Can you walk us through a typical day at the pop-up? How did you manage to balance the demands of crafting perfect espresso shots while capturing the breathtaking scenery of the islands? We’d love to hear about the rhythm and flow of your day in this extraordinary setting.
It’s funny—summer up north, above the Arctic Circle, isn’t dictated by the usual rhythms or flows. In fact, you almost lose your sense of time when there’s no nightfall for weeks on end.
That doesn’t necessarily mean time passes quicker, though. The last three months actually felt quite long. There was one constant amidst the 24 hours of daylight: the midnight sun. Most of my adventures took place “at night,” when the light turned golden and the sun hovered parallel to the horizon for hours, before starting to rise again in the early morning.
I opened the coffee pop-up mostly during the day, for a few hours, when the sun reached its zenith and people were in desperate need of a caffeine fix.
The rhythm I followed was simple: during the day, coffee; at night, hiking. You might wonder when I slept? That answer remains a mystery—even to me.


Your attention to detail shines through in both your photography and your espresso craft. Could you describe your espresso setup during the pop-up? What equipment did you choose, and why? Also, what camera gear did you bring along to capture the essence of the Lofoten Islands?
I actually worked with two machines: my very own Linea Micra, which I brought all the way from Germany during a 36-hour drive to Lofoten, and a Linea Mini, which was the main machine during the pop-up. The Micra served as a backup, though I never needed it since the Mini performed perfectly for the day-to-day business. Paired with a Pico grinder, the duo was complete.
In addition to the machinery, I had a range of barista tools and my own limited-edition ceramic cup, created in collaboration with La Cabra. I chose La Cabra as my coffee bean supplier because I’m a huge fan of their delicate, light roasts and carefully curated selection.
These days, I mostly shoot with Fujifilm cameras. With their abundance of dials and excellent haptics, not to mention the quality glass, they remind me in some ways of La Marzocco machines. Both have a touch of retro combined with clean aesthetics. I enjoy working with this kind of design.



Creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience often comes with its own set of challenges and surprises. Looking back, what were some of your favorite moments or highlights from the pop-up? Were there any unexpected elements that added to the experience?
The biggest surprise for me was the quality of Lofoten’s tap water. No filter or added minerals needed—just brewed straight from the tap. Brilliant!
Aside from that, some of my favorite moments have been seeing people spot the La Marzocco machine from a distance, realizing that there might be a decent coffee waiting for them here.
Their smiles as they approached and the satisfaction after drinking the coffee really filled me with happiness. Then there were the small moments when people who had no idea about specialty coffee or had never heard of La Marzocco found themselves pleasantly surprised by a cup of coffee, which, for them, is usually nothing special.
Seeing familiar faces pop up from time to time and people returning on a daily basis has been proof to me that I must be doing something right.


This event beautifully blended your passions. Do you see this as a one-time adventure, or are you considering similar experiences in the future? How do you think combining different passions like this enhances both your work and the experiences of those who join you?
Actually, I’m already working on a couple of new pop-up ideas, but nothing is certain for now.
After serving coffee during the midnight sun, I would love to host an event dedicated to the Northern Lights. It would have a very different feel and vibe—definitely a cozier one. Picture sitting by the fire, snacking on cinnamon buns and sipping Flat Whites, while a snowstorm passes by, leaving the landscape covered in ice, and the greenish-purple Aurora paints the dark skies. It’s quite the contrast, which is exactly why I like the idea.
Personally, I feel like whether it’s making coffee or taking photos and sharing them, both have the same essential purpose: to make someone’s day a little better than before. That’s something I thrive on doing—it fills me with joy and purpose.



