Icelandic beer - Wild ideas at the Arctic Circle
Once operating in the shadows, Icelandic beer production has flourished in the last three decades. Commercial and micro breweries scattered all over the country surprise and delight inhabitants as well as visitors with their daring creations, good craftsmanship, and hearty hospitality
From prohibition to pints
Iceland wasn’t always a haven for beer lovers. In 1915, the country enacted a nationwide alcohol ban, but while other spirits were gradually reintroduced, beer remained illegal for an astonishing 74 years. The reasoning? Lawmakers believed banning beer would prevent young people from developing drinking habits. It wasn’t until March 1, 1989, that Icelanders could legally raise a pint again—marking the birth of a thriving beer culture.
Every year on March 1st, Iceland celebrates the repeal of its beer ban with ‘Bjórdagur’—Beer Day. When the law was lifted in 1989, Icelanders had just five beer options to purchase at the state-run liquor stores. Today, they can choose from hundreds of domestic and imported varieties, reflecting Icelanders' thirst for beer.
The sour and the sweet
Icelandic craft beer surprises with its diversity: stout beers with coffee and chocolate aroma, sour ales with a taste potpourri of berries and citrus, refreshing wheat beers - the choices are endless. Whether you prefer spicy or fruit beer, lager or pilsner, black, golden, or pale ale - Icelandic bars will fulfill all your wishes.
Some beers are brewed with the famous Icelandic milk product skyr or in breweries powered by geothermal energy. Some are made in the Westfjords and some on the Westman Island. But all the commercial and craft breweries have the most important ingredient in common: fresh Icelandic water.
A beer for every occasion
Beyond the already vast selection, Icelandic breweries craft seasonal specials throughout the year. What began with exclusive Christmas brews has evolved into a tradition of experimentation, with limited-edition beers appearing for Easter, summer, and the midwinter Þorri season (January–February). These seasonal releases allow brewers to experiment with unique ingredients and surprise beer lovers with bold and unexpected flavors.
Taste the North
Once banned and hidden from public life, Icelandic beer is now thriving and ready to be enjoyed. Brewery tours, tastings, beer walks, and pub crawls offer the perfect way to explore the country’s dynamic craft beer scene. Whether in Reykjavík or the remote countryside, breweries across Iceland serve unique flavors made with some of the purest water on Earth. With big and small breweries across the country, you’ll never have to drink the same beer twice.
Want to try them all? Here's a map of Iceland's Independent Craft Brewers
Cheers, or as we Icelandics say, Skál!
Get inspired
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