Tau is a village of around 3,500 people on the Boknafjord. The origin of the name is uncertain. Most scholars believe it comes from the Old Norse word "taufr," meaning witchcraft or magic, possibly because there was a sacrificial field here during the Iron Age. But others suggest it may derive from "taugr," and the true origin remains debated. Archaeological finds do suggest a king or chieftain once had a farmstead here, possibly connected to Eirik Bloodaxe, the 10th-century Viking king.
Until December 2019, Tau was the main ferry terminal for crossings to Stavanger. The ferry service started in 1961 and ran for nearly 60 years before Ryfast made it redundant. If you arrive on certain days, you might notice the smell of puffed oats drifting through town. That comes from Tau Mølle, the mill that has operated here since 1855.
The mill's story is closely tied to brewing. In 1855, seven wealthy businessmen from Stavanger founded Tou Interessentskab, choosing this location because of the 10-metre drop from Krossvatnet lake to the fjord, which provided power for the turbines. The mill started grinding grain in 1856, and by 1858 the first Tou beer was for sale. Beer production moved to Stavanger in 1901, but the mill continued. Flour production ended in 1996, though puffed oats are still made here.
The old red mill buildings by the waterfall date back centuries, and nearby you'll find Mølleparken, an English-style landscaped park surrounding the 1859 director's villa. On summer Sundays there's a café, art exhibitions and a flea market.