Best Breweries and Distilleries to Visit in Iceland

History of Breweries and Distilleries in Iceland

The first settlers of Iceland did not show up to the party without refreshments.

Brewing has been a part of Icelandic culture ever since the first inhabitants of the island settled down in the late 9th century. The settlers brought the brewing techniques and drinking culture with them from Scandinavia and the British Isles. The old Icelandic sagas mention mead and ale prominently, whether in the form of cautionary advice or simply hilarious anecdotes of drunken escapades.

• See also: A Complete History of Iceland

As centuries passed, agriculture in Iceland changed, and local brewing eventually stopped. The people of Iceland became dependent on the comings and goings of foreign merchants to get a buzz. Ships in the distance became a sight for the sore eyes of the ever-thirsty local population of Iceland.

Just as things began to change in the early 20th century, prohibition was enforced, which would limit Icelanders' drinking for decades. Illegal brewing and distilling became widespread, and while the ban on wine and liquor was lifted in the 1930s, the sale and consumption of beer remained illegal until 1989!  

The lifting of the beer ban on March 1st, 1989, a day that has since been celebrated in Iceland as "Beer Day."

While microbrewing in Iceland has a relatively recent history compared to some other countries, it has experienced significant growth and popularity over the past few decades. While distilleries have been around for longer, they, too, have been significantly impacted by international influences in recent years.

Today, breweries and distilleries can be found throughout Iceland, from the capital city of Reykjavik to smaller towns and villages across the country. The industry continues to evolve, with experimentation in new ingredients, styles, and methods, resulting in a fun and ever-changing scene.

Best Breweries and Distilleries to Visit in Iceland

Now that the historical overview is out of the way let's take a look at some of the best breweries and distilleries you can visit in Iceland. Note that this is by no means an exhaustive list of all the great breweries in Iceland, but rather those that offer visits to their establishment or taproom.

Kaldi Brewery

It's fitting to start things off with Kaldi Brewery, Iceland's first microbrewery, founded in 2006. Located in the tiny community of Arskogssandur, Kaldi Brewery quickly revolutionized the Icelandic beer scene as dozens of microbreweries have cropped up since then.

Drawing inspiration from traditional Czech brewing techniques, Kaldi Brewery crafts a diverse range of beers that have become some of the most popular of the local craft options in Iceland. The brewery offers a tour of the facilities where guests can get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the brewing process and the history of Kaldi.

But the attractions don't stop there, as the Kaldi brewery is also home to the Bjorbodin Beer Spa. There, as the name implies, guests can actually bathe in specially brewed beer that is said to have various health benefits. Before you ask, no, you don't drink the beery bathwater (yuck!) Don't miss out on booking a ticket to the beer spa for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a unique beer experience.

• Discover the Top 10 Geothermal Spas in Iceland

With so many things to enjoy in the area, Hotel Kaldi makes for a great base of operations for anyone wishing to explore the area. If you're searching for a relaxing stay with plenty of beers on tap, then Hotel Kaldi is the perfect place to book your stay.

Eimverk Distillery

Eimverk is a family-operated distillery founded in 2009 and the birthplace of the first Icelandic whisky, Flóki. Along with this single malt whisky, the distillery also produces liquors such as the pot-distilled gin Vor and their own take on Iceland's most iconic liquor, Brennivín.

• See more: Renegades of Whisky - Inside the Eimverk Distillery Tour

Taking a one-hour guided distillery tour of Eimverk will give you insight into the story of how Flóki whisky came to be—handcrafted with 4 years and 163 trial distillation and maturation tests to perfect the recipe!

Visitors to Eimverk will also get to see the operations of a distillery, the machinery used in the making of the liquor, and the strict rules that must be followed in such a delicate process. Throughout the tour, guests can, of course, sample the various products Eimverk produces. 

Taking a tour of Eimverk is an essential experience for anyone looking to learn more about whisky and distilleries in Iceland.

Malbygg 

Malbygg is a trendy brewery in Reykjavik that opened in 2018 and has since become known for its wide range of delicious and sometimes experimental beers, which are easily recognized by their iconic and quirky packaging.

The team at Malbygg prides itself on brewing beers that they themselves want to drink - judging by their impressively large catalog, their tastes are quite varied! Make no mistake, though, as these craft beers are fantastic and understandably very popular in Iceland.

Following the success of the brewery, Malbygg opened a taproom where guests can try out a variety of the beers brewed there, as well as various top-end imports. Don't miss out on their IPAs, which are some of the best you'll get in Iceland.

You can visit Malbygg Brewery along with the aforementioned Whisky experts at Eimverk on a 3-hour brewery and distillery tour with tastings, a perfect way to get acquainted with everything that the scene has to offer.

Bryggjan Brugghús

Bryggjan Brugghús is a restaurant and brewery located by Reykjavik's old harbor, which opened in 2015. With tasty craft beers brewed on-site, an inviting atmosphere, and a nice view of the boats bobbing in the marina, it has become a popular venue for groups to meet for various occasions.

The best way to experience Bryggjan is on a 3-hour brewery tour with dinner, where visitors get to learn about brewing in Iceland, and Icelandic brews with knowledgeable guidance from a master brewer. You can sip on up to six unique beers offered by the brewery, offering a wide sample of Iceland's beer scene.

Once the tour is concluded, a delicious dinner is served to finish the night off on a perfect note. After the tour concludes, you are welcome (and quite likely!) to continue hanging out in the brewery, as you might want to get better acquainted with some of the beers you sampled on the tour.

A visit to Bryggjan combines a fun and educational look into the Icelandic craft brew scene with a delicious dinner in a charming atmosphere in central Reykjavik. It's the perfect way to conclude a day after taking a day tour from Reykjavik or to get started with a longer night out in the capital's downtown area. Of course, you can also simply book a table at Bryggjan Brugghús to enjoy their beer with a tasty meal!

Ölverk

Ölverk is a one-of-a-kind brewery and pizzeria that opened in the town of Hveragerdi in 2017.  The town sits atop a highly geothermal area, which this family-owned brewery makes great use of as one of the only geothermally powered breweries in the world!

Any beer enthusiast passing through the south of Iceland should stop by Ölverk to get a sample of one of their great beers to go along with a wood-fired pizza. There are options for educational tours where guests learn about the culture of beer in Iceland, as well as the use of geothermal power in Hveragerdi and the country as a whole.

Ölverk has also become the venue for an annual beer festival where representatives of beer manufacturers from all over Iceland, as well as international guest breweries, gather in an old greenhouse with samples of their latest products. It has become an unmissable event for anyone wishing to keep up with the newest trends in the Icelandic beer scene and one of the best festivals in South Iceland in general.

To top it all off, Ölverk also sells a line of their own geothermally produced hot sauces, the heat from which is best handled with a pitcher of cool beer. Overall, a visit to Ölverk promises good food and drink at an innovative local company.

RVK Brewing Co.

RVK Brewing Co. is an awesome little brewery/taproom that opened in 2018. The story, according to their website, is that the company's founder, after years of working in the New York finance sector, finally found his calling: brewing good beer. It's never too late to turn your life around, it seems.

The brewery is definitely an underrated spot in Reykjavik. Guests can walk in from the street and have a beer while chatting with the brewers themselves in a casual atmosphere. The brewery also offers tours of the premises for those interested in learning more.

The beers from RVK Brewery range from interesting takes on classics, such as their yuzu rice lager and hazelnut red ale, to straight-up bizarre, such as their limited-run green pea and red cabbage Christmas beer (which had no right to be as good as it turned out to be!)

If you want to go a bit off the beaten path in Reykjavik's bar scene, stop by RVK Brewing Co. for a drink and a chat with the lovely people working there - you won't regret it!

Segull 67

Siglufjordur is a picturesque town in North Iceland, home to the fantastic brewery Segull 67. This family-run brewery is located in an old fishing processing plant, which emphasizes the strong roots of seafaring the town is known for.

The name "Segull" translates to "magnet" in Icelandic, referring to the magnetic needle in a compass and the magnetic north. According to the owner, 67 has long been a lucky number in the family, with the number appearing on the license plate of his great-grandfather's truck and the boat number of his grandfather's fishing boat.

As you enter the old factory, you'll be greeted by a charming brewer's longue adorned with authentic maritime objects and a bar where you can sample the beer brewed on-site. The brewery also offers a tour of the premises where visitors can learn more about this fascinating family enterprise.

If you're staying in an accommodation in Siglufjordur or simply passing through this charming town and are feeling a bit thirsty, stopping by Segull 67 will allow you to get to know an authentic small-town Icelandic family business and sample some delicious Icelandic beers.

Hovdenak Distillery

Hovdenak Distillery was founded in Hafnarfjordur in 2018 but has a history stretching back much further. The founder experimented with various brews in his garage, where Studlaberg Gin was first made, which would go on to receive international acclaim.

Today, Hovdenak is a classy, high-tech distillery producing various liquors, including Loki Vodka and a spiced rum named after the iconic rock of Hvitserkur. The distillation process at Hovdenak takes place in a vacuum, ensuring an incredibly soft taste in the final product.

The distillery offers guided tours and a wine tasting by demand, where guests can learn about the unique distillation process and sample the various spirits produced there under guidance by the owners themselves or a knowledgeable member of staff.

Gæðingur

The Gæðingur brewery was founded after two friends went on a brewery course in Denmark in 2008 and fell for the craft. They bought their own brewing kit, and in 2011, their first lager was released, followed by a variety of other crafts.

Today, Gæðingur is easily recognizable from its branding, which is adorned by the drawings of world-famous and dark-humored Icelandic comic Hugleikur Dagsson. The word "gæðingur" translates to "steed," explaining the horse-and-rider imagery.

The brewery is located in Kopavogur and welcomes visitors to its facility, offering guided tours where guests can learn about the brewing process, sample different beers, and gain insight into the brewery's history.

Gæðingur also operates Microbar, a great craft bar that can be found both in Kopavogur and downtown Reykjavik, and is known for its relaxed atmosphere and excellent selection of tapped beers, both Icelandic and imported.

The Brothers Brewery

The Brothers Brewery is a popular brewery found in the Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands). Founded by two sets of (you guessed it) brothers in 2016 after years of homebrewing and experimentation, the brewery has grown steadily since then into a staple for the locals.

Today, The Brothers Brewery operates a brewpub alongside their facilities, where they serve high-quality food to go along with their wide selection of craft beers. They also host their own annual beer festival, where they invite friends from the Icelandic brewing industry to celebrate beer in all its wonderful forms with the guests. 

If you're staying in a hotel in the Westman Isles, it's highly recommended to drop by the Brothers Brewery to grab a pint and something to eat after a long day of exploring the wonders of the region on a tour of the Westman Isles.

Those are our picks for the best distilleries and breweries to visit in Iceland. Did we miss your favorite one? What's your favorite Icelandic craft beer? Let us know in the comments below!