Reykjavik Beer & Booze Tour

Iceland’s beer story has a wonderfully strange twist: beer was banned for 74 years, and legal beer only returned in 1989. This tour uses that odd chapter as its starting point, then walks you through three Reykjavík bars for a mix of craft beers, snaps, local lore, and pub talk.

I like the small group size, capped at 12, because you have room to ask questions and chat with the guide. I also like the practical city orientation: guides such as Bo, Stefán, Óli, Chris, and Matthias have helped people find more bars, restaurants, and evening spots after the tour. The main drawback is simple: at $131.87, this is not a cheap night out, and one poor guide match could make the history and tasting feel thin.

Key things to know before booking

• The beer ban is the tour’s best story: You learn why Iceland went without beer for 74 years and how that shaped local drinking culture.
• Three central Reykjavík bars: The route includes Skúli Craft Bar, Session Craft Bar, and Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar.
• A guided tasting, not just bar-hopping: You sample several Icelandic beers, with snaps offered as an alternative at some stops.
• Maximum of 12 people: The group is small enough for questions, conversation, and a more personal evening.
• A useful first-day activity: The walk helps you get your bearings in central Reykjavík while giving you dinner and nightlife suggestions.
• Come ready for weather: The tour runs in all conditions, and hotel pickup is not included.

The 6 p.m. start in Ingólfur Square

Meet at Hlöllabátar at Ingólfstorg 1, in central Reykjavík, five minutes before the 6 p.m. start. The opening meeting is brief, then you set off on foot toward the first bar.

This central starting point is useful if you have just arrived. A guide can show you how the downtown streets connect, point out places to return to, and give you a feel for where the evening action is. One solo participant found the tour especially helpful on a first day because it combined a short city walk with food and drink suggestions.

You should not expect a sightseeing tour with major monuments or museum visits. The city orientation is informal. Its value comes from learning where you are and getting direct local advice while the group moves between bars.

The experience lasts about two to two and a half hours. It is offered in English, and the route stays in central Reykjavík. Wear shoes suited to walking on city streets and bring a proper outer layer. Icelandic weather can turn quickly, and the tour continues in rain or wind.

Skúli Craft Bar and Iceland’s odd drinking story

Skúli Craft Bar is the first substantial stop. You begin with a selection of Icelandic craft beers, or a snaps if that suits you better. The tasting is paired with a discussion of alcohol in Iceland, including the long ban on beer.

This is where the tour earns its title. Iceland did not simply move from old brewing traditions to modern craft beer in a straight line. Beer was prohibited for decades, and the date of its return is still marked on February 1, known as Beer Day. That context makes the first pour more than just a drink. It gives you a reason to pay attention to what is in the glass and why modern Icelandic beer culture feels relatively young.

The stop lasts about 45 minutes. That is enough time for the guide to explain the basics, let you taste, and answer questions without rushing everyone out the door. Guides are expected to discuss the funny side of the ban as well as its cultural effect, so this part should feel conversational rather than like a lecture.

If you do not care for beer, ask about the snaps option. One useful feature of the experience is that guides can suggest a drink to fit your taste. Arnar, for example, helped a beer-reluctant participant find a flavor she enjoyed. That does not make this a non-drinking tour, but it does mean you are not locked into one style of beer.

Session Craft Bar and the main tasting flight

At Session Craft Bar, the beer tasting becomes more structured. You sample four different Icelandic beers, or choose a couple of Icelandic snaps instead. The stop lasts about 50 minutes, making it the longest part of the route.

Four beers allow you to compare styles rather than judge one lonely pint. You might find a favorite, discover that a sour or flavored beer suits you, or learn that a beer you expected to dislike works better than expected. One tasting included a pina colada beer that became a surprise favorite, which shows the range you may encounter in Reykjavík’s craft scene.

The exact pours can change, so do not book this expecting a fixed menu. The useful part is the comparison and the explanation. Guides talk about Icelandic brewing, local drinking habits, and the city’s bar scene. They also share practical tips and funny stories, which keeps the stop from feeling like a formal tasting class.

A few people have described small snacks paired with the beers at some stops. Treats can help you notice how food changes a beer’s flavor, though snacks are not listed as a guaranteed inclusion. The tour includes beverages and alcoholic drinks, but it does not promise a meal. Have something to eat before you arrive, especially if you are not used to drinking several samples in quick succession.

This stop is also where the social side of the experience usually takes hold. A group of three can still have a good time, while a group of eight or 12 gives you more chances to meet people from different places. One solo participant met fellow drinkers and later saw some of them again during the trip. That is a real benefit if you are visiting Iceland alone and want an easy evening with company.

Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar and the unusual final beer

The final stop is Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar on Vegamótastígur. Here you sample a distinctive award-winning Icelandic beer and learn more about its background. The stop lasts about 45 minutes.

The bar is presented as a place to try something you cannot find elsewhere, which gives the final tasting a clear purpose. Rather than ending with another ordinary lager, the route aims to finish with a beer that has its own story and character.

This is also a second chance to connect the modern bar scene with Iceland’s past. After hearing about the beer ban at Skúli and comparing several beers at Session, you now have a clearer sense of what changed when beer returned and local brewing began to grow.

The tour ends here, not back at the meeting point. That matters when planning your evening. You will finish near the center, with the rest of Reykjavík’s bars and restaurants within the broader downtown area, but you must make your own way back to your accommodation. The provider does not include hotel pickup or drop-off.

What the guides add to the evening

The guide can make or break a walking tasting tour. The strongest reports describe guides who mix beer facts with Icelandic culture, humor, and useful suggestions.

Bo, also identified as Sveinbjörn, has been praised for his humor, clear explanations, and ability to keep the evening relaxed. Stefán is associated with strong storytelling about Icelandic history, beer, and restaurants. Chris has been a good fit for solo participants who want both city orientation and local suggestions.

Óli, Ólafur, Matthias, Helgi, Arnar, Matt, and Kris have also led tours, with particular praise for friendly conversation, beer recommendations, and the ability to match a drink to someone’s taste. Kris once hosted what felt like a private tour for only two people, while another small group had just three participants.

You cannot choose a particular guide unless the provider confirms it. That is worth keeping in mind because one three-star account found the guide too quiet and said the background information had to be pulled out through questions. Most reported experiences were strongly positive, but the guide’s energy and preparation remain important variables.

If you want the most from the tour, ask questions early. Ask why a beer is unusual, how the beer ban affected daily life, and what bar or restaurant the guide would choose for your next night. A good conversation can turn a standard tasting into a far more useful introduction to Reykjavík.

Is $131.87 a fair price?

At $131.87 per person, the tour costs far more than buying three drinks independently. You are paying for the drinks, but also for a guide, several tastings, a planned route, local background, and the chance to move between three bars without doing the research yourself.

The value is strongest if you want an organized first evening. Reykjavík drinks can be expensive, and wandering into random bars does not guarantee a useful selection or an explanation of what you are tasting. Here, you get a set route and a person who can direct you toward other places afterward.

The value is weaker if you already know Reykjavík’s center, dislike group activities, or only want one beer. It is also not a meal, and hotel transport is not included. Budget for food separately and remember that the tour ends at Ölstofa rather than at your hotel.

The group limit helps justify the price. With no more than 12 people, the guide can usually hear your questions and keep the walking pace together. A tiny group may feel almost private, while a full group should still be manageable.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would put this high on the list for beer fans, curious drinkers, solo visitors, and anyone who wants an easy first-night plan. It gives you an introduction to Icelandic beer, a short walk through downtown, and recommendations you can use for the rest of your stay.

It also works for people who are not serious beer experts. You do not need to know brewing terms. The tone is social, and the guide can help you find a style you like. The snaps alternative gives you another option at the first two tasting stops, although you should still be comfortable with an alcohol-focused activity.

The tour may suit a mixed group better than you expect. One participant booked mainly for a partner and ended up enjoying a suggested beer herself. That said, the experience is centered on alcoholic drinks, so it is not a good choice if you want a non-drinking cultural walk.

I would be cautious about booking it for anyone who wants a quiet, polished tasting with exact pours and technical detail. The route is designed around stories, conversation, and a little laughter. The quality can depend on the guide assigned and on how much the group joins in.

Timing, age, and practical details

The minimum drinking age is 20. Confirmation arrives when you book, but every departure needs at least two people. If that minimum is not met, the provider may cancel and offer another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 6 p.m. start. Cancellations or changes inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted. The cut-off uses local Reykjavík time.

The tour operates in all weather. This is important in Iceland, where a short walk between bars can feel very different depending on wind and rain. Dress for the forecast, and do not assume that a central route means you can skip a waterproof layer.

The experience is near public transportation, and most people can participate. There is no stated hotel transfer, so plan your route to Ingólfur Square and your return from Ölstofa before the tour begins.

How to get the most from the tasting

Eat before the tour, but do not arrive too full to taste. With a selection at Skúli, four beers at Session, and a final beer at Ölstofa, the evening can add up quickly.

Pace yourself. You are not required to treat every sample as a race, and you can ask the guide how much is being poured before accepting a drink. If you prefer snaps, make that clear at the start so the guide can help shape your tasting.

Keep a note of the places recommended for later. The tour’s practical strength is not only the three bars you visit. It is the advice about where to eat, where to drink next, and how to navigate the center once the guided walk ends.

Ask about Icelandic toasts and phrases. One guide taught the group how to toast in Iceland and even shared a funny Icelandic phrase that sounds like I forgot my yogurt. Small details like this give the evening a sense of place without turning it into a classroom.

Should you book the Reykjavik Beer & Booze Tour?

Book it if you want a social, guided introduction to Reykjavík’s bar scene and you value stories as much as the drinks. The 74-year beer ban, three central bars, several tasting choices, and small group format give the evening a clear shape.

I would choose it near the start of an Iceland trip, especially if you are traveling alone or want ideas for later nights. I would skip it if $131.87 feels too steep for drinks, if you do not drink alcohol, or if you prefer to choose every bar yourself.

For the best chance of a good experience, arrive ready to ask questions, eat beforehand, and dress for the weather. The tour is at its best with an engaged guide such as Bo, Stefán, Óli, Chris, or Matthias, and with a group willing to talk, laugh, and try something unfamiliar.

FAQ

Where does the Reykjavik Beer & Booze Tour start?

It starts at Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorg 1, 101 Reykjavík. You should arrive at Ingólfur Square five minutes before the 6 p.m. start time.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar on Vegamótastígur in central Reykjavík. Hotel drop-off is not included.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two to two and a half hours.

How many bars do you visit?

The planned route visits three bars: Skúli Craft Bar, Session Craft Bar, and Ölstofa Kormáks og Skjaldar.

What drinks are included?

Beverages and alcoholic beverages are included. You sample Icelandic craft beers, and snaps may be available as an alternative at some stops.

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age for this tour is 20.

What happens if the tour does not reach its minimum group size?

At least two people are required for a departure. If the provider cancels because the minimum is not met, you can receive a full refund or be offered another date or experience.