Pick your brewery
What this solves
Beer was banned in Iceland from 1915 to 1989. Wine and spirits were legal but heavily restricted. The current craft beer scene has only ~30 years to mature, but it's done so productively: Iceland now has ~25 microbreweries, several with international distribution.
The 5 biggest are Borg (Akureyri), Einstök (Akureyri, exported globally), Lava (Reykjavík), Ölvisholt Brugghús (Selfoss), and the newest: Steðji (northern Iceland). Each has its flagship beer that defines the brand.
Where to drink: beer in Iceland is expensive (ISK 1,200–1,800 per pint in a bar, ISK 350–500 per can in supermarkets). The 4.5%+ strong beer was only legal since March 1, 2025 (a long-running fight). Today you can get IPAs and stouts in restaurants.
How to read the result
Each brewery entry shows: brewery, location, flagship beer, style match, price, and where to find it. The phrase box gives you Icelandic ordering language.
Limitations
The Iceland microbrewery scene is small but changes fast — new breweries open yearly. The 5 listed are the most established as of 2026.
Tour availability: some breweries (e.g. Einstök) have public tours only on certain days. Verify with the brewery directly.
FAQ
Why is beer so expensive in Iceland?
High alcohol taxes (until 2025 were progressive — stronger beer was taxed higher; 2025 reforms brought rates down 25%). Plus expensive ingredients + small market + high wages.
Can I drink in the street?
Mostly no — Reykjavík has public drinking bans in central areas. Drink in bars or at your accommodation.
What's the best happy hour?
Most Reykjavík bars run happy hour 16:00–19:00. Microbar (near Hallgrímskirkja) has the most local beer selection + good happy hour.
Sources
- Borg Brugghús, Einstök Beer, Ölvisholt — official sites
- Vínbúðin — beer retail availability