Reykjavik: Beer and Booze Tour

Iceland’s beer story has an odd twist: beer was banned for 74 years, and today its short modern brewing tradition is packed into a two-and-a-half-hour evening. This tour takes you to three central Reykjavik bars for 10 Icelandic craft beers, with local stories about Vikings, alcohol laws, and the country’s newer microbreweries.

I especially like two things here. First, you get a useful introduction to Reykjavik while walking between stops, rather than sitting in one pub all night. Second, the small-group format gives you time to ask about food, nightlife, and Icelandic life. The main drawback is simple: three bars and 10 drinks can be a lot in one evening, especially if you are not used to tasting several beers in succession.

Key points to know before you book

• Ten local beers in three central bars: The route includes Skúli Craft Bar, Session Craft Bar, and Ölstofa.
• A choice beyond beer: You can select five schnapps and spirits instead of the beer tasting.
• A short but unusual drinking history: Your guide explains Iceland’s 74-year beer ban and the return of brewing.
• Small groups make the evening social: Guides such as Kristjan, Arnar, and Ástþór focus on conversation as well as pours.
• Good value for Iceland: At $112, the price includes all drinks, which matters in a country where bar prices are high.
• Adults only: You must be at least 20 and bring a passport or identity card.

Why Reykjavik beer is a good way to get your bearings

A beer tour can be a handy first-night activity in Reykjavik. You are moving through the city center, stopping often, and learning how local drinking customs fit into everyday life. It is less formal than a museum tour and more structured than simply wandering into random bars.

The guide covers beer from the Viking period through the modern craft-brewing revival. The 74-year ban is the story you will probably remember most. Iceland did not fully restore beer sales until 1989, and that unusual gap helps explain why the country’s brewing culture feels relatively young.

You also hear about Icelandic freshwater and the way local breweries use it. The tour is not only about tasting notes. It gives you a bit of cultural context, then lets you compare different beers while the information is still fresh.

The activity is conducted in English. Guides named in the feedback include Kristjan, Arnar, Astor, Aster, and Ástþór. The strongest descriptions focus on guides who were funny, friendly, and good at drawing the whole group into the conversation. That matters here because the guide is the bridge between a standard pub visit and an actual introduction to Reykjavik.

Finding Ingólfur Square without starting in the wrong place

Meet your guide at Ingólfur Square, beside the two stone pillars that are more than three meters high. The square is in front of Center Hotels Plaza at Aðalstræti 6, near the beginning of Austurstræti.

This is worth taking seriously. Reykjavik’s streets are compact, but names can be confusing, and there are nearby statues that can send you to the wrong spot. Do not go to the statue of Ingólfur Arnarson or the statue of Jón Sigurðsson at Austurvöllur.

If you walk down Laugavegur, the city’s main shopping street, keep going straight until you reach the square. Use a map app, and arrive at least five minutes early. Once the walk has begun, it can be difficult for the guide to leave the group and come looking for someone who is late.

The guide usually wears a light blue jacket marked Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back. The supplied meeting details also identify Aðalstræti 7 as a starting location, but the specific meeting instructions point to Ingólfur Square. Follow the square and stone pillars as your practical landmark.

The opening walk and Ingólfur Square

The first short stop is a guided introduction around Ingólfur Square, listed at about 10 minutes. This is not a long sightseeing tour, so keep your expectations in check. The point is to place you in central Reykjavik and begin the conversation before the beer flights start.

That small pause makes the evening easier. You learn where you are, meet the guide and group, and get an early chance to ask about the city. If this is your first evening in Reykjavik, you can also use the guide as a source for later plans.

The route is designed to leave you in the center of town, where bars, restaurants, and streets are close together. You are not spending time on a coach or traveling out to a brewery. That keeps the focus on local bars and makes the tour workable during a short stopover.

Skúli Craft Bar: the first serious tasting

The first major stop is Skúli Craft Bar, where the scheduled visit lasts about an hour. This is the longest stop, so it is the place where you can settle in and start comparing the beers properly.

You may taste a flight of Icelandic beers, and the itinerary also mentions whiskey tasting here. The exact selection can change, so do not expect a fixed menu every time. One of the promised pleasures is the chance to try a new craft beer that may not yet be widely available.

Skúli is also presented as an iconic craft beer stop, which makes it a useful introduction to Iceland’s small-brewery scene. You can ask why one beer tastes lighter, sweeter, darker, or more bitter than another. If beer is not your usual drink, say so early. One guide was able to find lighter or sweeter choices for a person who did not normally enjoy beer, which is a good reason not to keep quiet about your preferences.

The downside is that the first stop takes up a large share of the evening. If you want a quick drink and a fast city walk, this may feel slow. If you want time to talk and taste, the hour is useful.

Session Craft Bar: comparing Icelandic styles

The second bar is Session Craft Bar, with roughly 45 minutes set aside for beer. By this point, you have already heard the basic story and tried several samples, so this stop works as a comparison.

A flight format gives you a better sense of Icelandic beer than ordering one full pint at a time. You can notice differences without committing to one large glass, and the guide can explain what is in front of you. The activity includes 10 craft beer samples overall, though the exact number poured at each bar is not specified.

The pace here is still social rather than rushed. You have time to speak with the people in your group, ask the guide about Reykjavik, and decide which beer styles you might order later during your trip.

Some people will care more about the bar atmosphere than the technical tasting. Session Craft Bar is part of a three-stop route, not a private brewery lesson, so the experience is casual. Two of the bars may feel more ordinary than the final stop, depending on the night and the group. That is a fair trade for seeing several places rather than staying in one polished venue.

Ölstofa: the final stop and a possible spirits choice

The final scheduled bar is Ölstofa, again for about 45 minutes. This is where the tour can shift from a beer tasting into a broader Icelandic drinking experience.

You can choose five schnapps and spirits instead of the 10 beers, and the tasting may include Icelandic Black Death, the nickname commonly used for Brennivín. The activity details identify schnapps and spirits as an alternative, while the itinerary specifically mentions beer at Ölstofa. Ask your guide at the start if you want the spirits option, so the evening’s plan is clear.

The final stop is also where the mood may feel most relaxed. You have already spent time together, and the structured part of the evening is nearly done. It is a good point to ask where to eat next or where to continue your night.

The activity ends at the meeting point according to the main details, while the route information also lists Ölstofa and Bastarður Brew Pub as two drop-off locations. Since the end point can matter if you have dinner reservations or another booking, confirm the exact finish with your guide when you meet.

What 10 samples really mean

Ten samples sounds generous, and it is. The price is $112 per person, with all drinks included. In Iceland, drinks are not cheap, so the inclusion of 10 beers or five spirits makes the cost easier to justify than a simple guided walk with one complimentary drink.

Still, value depends on how you drink. If you enjoy trying many styles and would otherwise order several drinks, this can be a good deal. If you only want one beer and a little local information, it is not the right purchase.

You are not promised 10 full pints. The wording describes samples, which is exactly what you want in a tasting. Even so, pace yourself. Eat beforehand or plan food afterward, since food is not included. The tour can leave you pleasantly warm, but the number of samples means you should treat it as a real drinking activity, not merely a sightseeing walk with refreshments.

There is also no need to finish every pour. Tell the guide if you need a slower pace or prefer a lighter option. The small-group setup makes that conversation easier.

The small-group feel and the guides

The guide can make or break an evening like this. The strongest guide descriptions point to people who kept the talk lively without turning it into a lecture. Arnar is noted for getting everyone involved and mixing Reykjavik stories with humor. Kristjan is praised for presenting the beers clearly, while Ástþór is described as entertaining and good company.

The small groups are important. On quieter nights, the experience may be very intimate, even with only one booking. That gives you a rare chance to ask direct questions about Icelandic culture, alcohol laws, restaurants, and nightlife.

On a fuller night, the group itself becomes part of the value. You may meet people from different places, share tasting reactions, and continue talking after the formal tasting ends. The tour can create a social evening without forcing you into a loud party crawl.

There is a slight tradeoff. If you want a private, tightly customized experience, ask about the private-group option. If you prefer meeting new people, the standard small group is likely the better fit.

Practical details that affect your evening

The tour lasts 2.5 hours, and starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want. It is a walking activity, so wear layers. Reykjavik weather can change quickly, and you will be outside between bars.

Bring a passport or identity card. The legal drinking age in Iceland is 20, and the tour is limited to people aged 20 and older. Children and infants are not allowed, including inside the bars, so this is not a family activity.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to make your own way to Ingólfur Square, and you should arrive five minutes before the start. The activity is in central Reykjavik, so the main challenge is finding the right square, not reaching a remote meeting point.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or anyone under 20. It is conducted in English, and private groups are available. You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps you from paying at the time of booking.

Who should book this Reykjavik beer tour?

I would choose this tour for a first or second evening in Reykjavik, especially if you want local orientation and a social night without planning every bar yourself. It suits beer fans, curious drinkers, solo visitors, couples, and small groups who like conversation.

It is also useful during a short stopover. You get a compact look at central Reykjavik, a cultural explanation of Iceland’s unusual alcohol laws, and practical advice for the rest of your night.

I would hesitate if you do not drink alcohol, want a food-focused tour, or dislike moving between several bars. Food is not included, and the tour’s value depends heavily on your interest in tasting multiple drinks. It is also not ideal if you need a quiet, early evening, since the experience is built around three bar visits.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a generous tasting, local stories, and a ready-made evening plan in central Reykjavik. The $112 price is easier to defend because it includes 10 beer samples or five spirits, and the guides add useful advice beyond the glasses in front of you.

Skip it if you would rather choose one bar at your own pace or if several drinks sound excessive. For everyone else, the combination of Iceland’s strange beer history, a small group, and three central stops makes this a practical introduction to Reykjavik’s drinking culture.

FAQ

How long does the Reykjavik Beer and Booze Tour last?

The tour lasts 2.5 hours.

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 schnapps and spirits instead.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet your guide at Ingólfur Square in central Reykjavik, beside the two stone pillars over three meters high.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive at least five minutes before the scheduled start time.

How do I recognize the guide?

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

What bars does the tour visit?

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

Is food included?

No. Food is not included in the tour price.

What is the minimum age?

The tour is for people aged 20 and older. Bring a passport or identity card.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The live tour guide language is English.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You need to make your own way to the meeting point.

Can I book a private group?

Yes. A private group option is available.