Reykjavik: Beer & Booze Tour with Icelandic Craft Tastings

Summary

Sample Icelandic beers meet locals hear wild booze history

You’ll wander Reykjavik’s city center with a local guide who knows every story behind Icelandic beers and spirits. Taste craft brews and snaps you won’t find anywhere else, laugh at wild tales of smuggling, and pick up real tips on where to eat or drink next. Expect warmth inside every bar — even if the wind outside bites — plus those small moments you’ll remember later.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect the first sip to taste like cold moss — but it did, in a good way. We met our guide Jon at Ingolfur Square (easy to spot, even if you’re half-awake from jet lag) and right away he started telling us about how beer was actually banned here until 1989. I laughed because, honestly, I thought he was joking. The air outside was sharp with that salty Reykjavik wind, but inside the first bar it smelled faintly of toasted rye and something herbal. Jon handed me a glass of this pale ale brewed just outside the city — he said the water comes straight from the lava fields. Maybe that’s why it tasted so clean?

Our little group shuffled to the next place, and by then everyone had loosened up (the snaps helped). The bartender slid over four tiny glasses lined up like soldiers — each one a different Icelandic beer. One was dark as midnight, another almost golden. I tried to pronounce “brennivín” and totally failed; Jon grinned and told me not to worry because even locals mess it up after a few rounds. He told us about how people used to smuggle beer in from Denmark hidden in suitcases — apparently customs agents got really good at sniffing out yeast? The whole thing felt sort of conspiratorial but also funny.

The last stop was this cozy spot where they poured an award-winning lager you can’t find outside Iceland (I checked). There was a moment when everyone went quiet just tasting — you could hear someone’s coat zipper scratch against the bar, that’s how still it got for a second. Jon explained more about why beer was banned for so long — something about politics and old laws that don’t make sense now. I’m still thinking about that silence, actually. It felt like we’d all stumbled into some shared secret.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Reykjavik beer and booze tasting tour

• Meet and greet at starting point
• Visit first bar and taste craft beers or snaps
• Discuss Iceland's alcohol history
• Go to second bar and sample four Icelandic beers or snaps
• Hear tips and stories about Icelandic beer scene
• Visit third bar and try award-winning Icelandic beer
• Learn about Iceland's 74-year beer ban

Top questions

How many bars do you visit on the Reykjavik Beer & Booze Tour?

The tour visits three different bars in Reykjavik city center.

Are drinks included on the Reykjavik Beer & Booze Tour?

Yes, alcoholic beverages including Icelandic craft beers or snaps are included.

Where does the Reykjavik Beer & Booze Tour start?

The tour starts at Ingolfur Square in central Reykjavik.

Is there a minimum age for joining this beer tour?

The minimum drinking age is 20 years old in Iceland.

What if there aren’t enough people booked for my date?

If fewer than two people book, the tour will be canceled and fully refunded.

Can I choose between beer or spirits on this tour?

You can sample either Icelandic craft beers or snaps depending on your preference.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes, it operates in all weather conditions—just dress appropriately for Reykjavik.

Is public transportation nearby for getting to the meeting point?

Yes, public transportation options are available near Ingolfur Square.

What’s included

Your evening includes tastings of Icelandic craft beers or local snaps at three different bars in central Reykjavik, all led by a professional local guide who shares stories along the way—plus your drinks are covered before you head out into the night again.