Reykjavik: Beer and Booze Tour

Reykjavik’s beer story has a wonderfully odd opening: beer was banned in Iceland for 74 years. This 2.5-hour walk turns that strange fact into a relaxed evening of local beer, bar culture, and city history, with 10 Icelandic samples spread across three central bars.

I like the small-group feel, which makes it easy to ask about Icelandic customs, food, and nightlife. I also like the value: alcohol is costly in Iceland, so 10 samples for $112 can make sense for drinkers who want variety instead of buying several full-priced beers. The main consideration is that this is a tasting walk, not a meal, and two and a half hours of drinks may not suit everyone.

Key points at a glance

• Ten Icelandic samples: Taste 10 craft beers, mostly made for the Icelandic market, or choose five schnaps and spirits.
• Three central bars: Visit Skúli Craft Bar, Session Craft Bar, and Ölstofa during a compact walking route.
• A useful first-night tour: Your guide can point you toward places to eat, drink, and continue your evening.
• A strange drinking history: Learn how Iceland went without legal beer for 74 years and how microbreweries returned.
• Small groups matter: Guides such as Kristjan, Arnar, Astor, Aster, and Ástþór have been praised for keeping the mood friendly and personal.
• Adults only: You must be at least 20, and you should bring a passport or ID card.

Why Icelandic beer makes this tour worth your evening

Iceland is famous for clean freshwater, and local brewers make good use of it. The country’s modern craft beer scene is young, but it has grown into a proud part of city life. On this tour, you are not just ordering whatever happens to be on a pub tap. You are trying a spread of Icelandic beers, many of which are difficult to find outside the country.

The historical angle gives the tasting some shape. Your guide explains beer production from Viking times through the return of modern microbreweries. The oddest chapter is Prohibition-era Iceland, where beer remained banned for 74 years even after some other alcoholic drinks were allowed again. Beer finally became legal in 1989, and Iceland now marks Beer Day each year on March 1.

That story helps explain why beer culture here feels both new and enthusiastic. You can ask how locals drink, what brands to seek out, and which styles suit your taste. If beer is not your thing, the alternate option includes five different schnaps and spirits.

Starting among Reykjavik’s stone pillars

Your guide meets you at Ingólfur Square, beside two stone pillars more than three meters high. This is in front of Center Hotels Plaza at Aðalstræti 6, near the beginning of Austurstræti.

The meeting point is easy to confuse with other central landmarks. Do not go to the statue of Ingólfur Arnarsson or to the statue of Jón Sigurðsson at Austurvöllur. If you walk down Laugavegur, keep going straight until you reach the square at the lower end of the shopping street.

I would arrive at least five minutes early and use Google Maps. Icelandic street names can be tricky, and once the group has started walking, it may be hard for the guide to locate someone who is late. Guides generally wear a light blue jacket marked Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back, which helps you spot the right person.

The first guided stop is a 10-minute orientation around Ingólfur Square. That short introduction matters because it places the bars in the center of Reykjavik rather than treating the evening as a series of disconnected tastings.

Skúli Craft Bar: the longest tasting stop

The first main stop is Skúli Craft Bar, where you spend about an hour. This is the best place to settle into the group and begin comparing Icelandic beers while your guide explains the local brewing scene.

The tasting may include both beer and whiskey. The exact lineup can change, and you might even try a new beer from an Icelandic microbrewery before it reaches the wider market. That possibility adds a little fun, since the point is not simply to sample famous labels but to see what Icelandic brewers are doing now.

This is also where a good guide can make a real difference. Kristjan has been praised for presenting the beers clearly and adding snacks, while Arnar has been noted for being friendly, funny, and good at involving the whole group. Ástþór, also called Astor or Aster in tour feedback, has been praised for his entertaining manner and Icelandic stories.

Do not expect a full meal here. Food is not included in the tour, so eat beforehand or plan dinner afterward. A guide may have a snack available, but it is not part of the stated inclusions.

Session Craft Bar: compare styles at a quicker pace

The second bar is Session Craft Bar, with about 45 minutes devoted to beer. After the longer opening stop, this part keeps the pace moving and gives you another setting in which to compare styles.

The benefit of a multi-bar route is variety. You are not judging every beer in the same room, and you can see how different Reykjavik bars present their local taps. The walk between venues also gives you a little fresh air, which is welcome during an evening of tastings.

This is not a traditional pub crawl built around full drinks and late-night noise. The focus is sampling, conversation, and learning what to order later. If you prefer quiet conversation to a loud party, the small groups make the experience easier. If you want a rowdy night out, the early part may feel more measured than expected.

Ölstofa: the final round and a choice of spirits

The last listed bar is Ölstofa, where you spend about 45 minutes. This completes the beer route, although the spirit option may include schnaps and Icelandic spirits instead of the 10-beer selection.

One spirit you might encounter is Black Death, the familiar nickname for Brennivín, Iceland’s caraway-flavored spirit. It has a stronger character than many beers, so take the alternate tasting seriously if you are not used to spirits. Ask your guide about the order of the samples and drink at your own pace.

The bar sequence is useful, but the quality of the atmosphere may vary by stop. Some parts of the route may feel fairly ordinary, while the final venue can have a stronger mood. I would book this for the guide, local context, and range of drinks rather than expecting every bar to be a destination in itself.

The tour details list Ölstofa and Bastarður Brew Pub as the two possible end locations. The meeting information also says the activity ends back at the meeting point, so confirm the precise finish when booking if you have a dinner reservation or another timed plan.

Ten beers, five spirits, and the real value of $112

At $112 per person, this is not a cheap night by ordinary pub standards. Iceland is expensive, and drinks cost more than many visitors expect. Still, 10 samples work out to about $11.20 per tasting, before placing any value on the guide, walking route, and historical commentary.

The tour makes the strongest financial sense if you want to try many local drinks. Buying 10 separate beers in Reykjavik would be a costly way to experiment, and a tasting lets you find styles you might order again later. It also reduces the risk of spending heavily on a full glass you do not enjoy.

The value is less convincing if you only want one or two beers. In that case, you might prefer a bar visit on your own, especially if you already know where you want to go. The tour is paying for breadth and guidance, not just liquid volume.

There is another practical point: 10 samples can add up. You are walking between bars, but the evening is still alcohol-focused. Eat before you arrive, drink water when you can, and do not plan a demanding activity immediately afterward.

The guides shape the whole evening

The most praised part of this experience is the guiding. Kristjan, Arnar, Astor, Aster, and Ástþór are among the guides named in feedback, and the repeated strengths are warmth, humor, local knowledge, and an ability to keep conversation going.

That matters because beer tasting can become a dry list of brewery names. A good guide instead connects the drinks with Reykjavik, Icelandic drinking laws, local habits, and suggestions for the rest of your evening. You can ask where to eat after the tour or where to continue drinking if you still have energy.

The small-group setup is especially helpful for questions. Some sessions may be so small that you have the guide almost to yourself. That can be excellent if you want to ask about Icelandic culture, but it also means the social side depends on the people who book that time slot.

The tour is offered in English. A private group is available, which may suit friends or families of adults who want a more personal pace.

Who should book this Reykjavik beer walk?

I would choose this tour for an adult visiting Reykjavik for the first time, especially if you want an easy introduction to the city center and local beer. It is also a smart choice for a stopover, since the route is compact and finishes within one evening.

It suits you particularly well if you:

• Like trying several styles instead of drinking one large beer.
• Want local history along with your alcohol.
• Prefer a guided social evening to planning a bar route yourself.
• Need suggestions for dinner or nightlife afterward.
• Enjoy meeting a small group and chatting with a guide.
• Want to sample Icelandic beer that may not be available at home.

I would think twice if you are looking for a food tour, a serious brewery visit, or a late-night party. Food is not included, brewery production is not listed, and the tour lasts only 2.5 hours. Pregnant people and anyone under 20 cannot join, and the experience is not suitable for children or infants because people younger than 20 are not allowed inside the bars.

Wear layers. Reykjavik weather can shift quickly, and part of the experience takes place outdoors as you walk between venues. Bring a passport or ID card, since the legal age to purchase alcohol in Iceland is 20.

Practical timing and booking advice

Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want. I would avoid placing a tight dinner reservation immediately after the tour because the final location and exact walking pace can affect when you are free.

The tour includes all 10 beer samples, or five schnaps and spirits samples if you choose that option. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so make your own way to central Reykjavik.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Iceland plans are still moving around.

The experience has a 4.9 rating from 52 reviews, but the more useful point is what that high score reflects: the guide, the generous number of samples, the relaxed city walk, and the chance to ask questions. The bars themselves may not all feel equally special, so keep your expectations aimed at the full evening rather than one perfect venue.

Should you book the Beer and Booze Tour?

Book it if you want a friendly, efficient introduction to Reykjavik’s drinking culture and are happy to pay Icelandic prices for a guided tasting. The combination of 10 local beers, three central bars, and stories about the 74-year beer ban gives the evening a clear sense of place.

Skip it if you do not drink much, need a substantial meal, or would rather choose one bar and settle in. For everyone else, this is a strong first-night option. Arrive early at Ingólfur Square, wear layers, eat beforehand, and let the guide help shape the rest of your Reykjavik evening.

FAQ

How long does the Reykjavik Beer and Booze Tour last?

The tour lasts 2.5 hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for your chosen date.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $112 per person.

How many drinks are included?

You can taste 10 Icelandic craft beers, or choose five different schnaps and spirits instead.

Which bars does the tour visit?

The route includes Skúli Craft Bar, Session Craft Bar, and Ölstofa.

Where does the tour start?

Your guide meets you at Ingólfur Square in central Reykjavik, beside the two stone pillars more than three meters high.

How can I identify the guide?

The local guides usually wear a light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik printed on the back.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card. You should also wear layers because the tour includes walking outdoors.

Is food included?

No. The tour includes the drinks, but food is not included.

Can anyone under 20 join?

No. The tour is only for people aged 20 or older. Children and infants are not allowed because people younger than 20 cannot enter the bars in Iceland.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to the central meeting point.

Is cancellation available?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund.

Is the tour available as a private experience?

Yes. A private group option is available.

What language is the tour conducted in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant women?

No. The experience is listed as unsuitable for pregnant women.