Ten Icelandic pours in one focused walk.

This Reykjavik beer tour is built for people who want more than a checklist: you taste Icelandic craft beer (or schnaps if you prefer), then you get the story behind why it’s so tied to local life. I especially like how the guides turn a simple night out into city orientation, so you’re not just wandering around the center.

Two things I really like: the tour packs in 10 samples in just 2.5 hours, and the pacing keeps conversation going—so you actually learn stuff while you drink. One consideration: it’s bar-focused and includes drinks but no food, so plan to eat before (or you’ll feel it fast).

Key Things I’d Watch For

• 10 craft beer tastings (or 5 schnaps/spirits): you get variety without having to order each flight yourself
• Small group energy: you’re more likely to get real Q&A than a lecture-style tour
• Ingólfur Square orientation: you start with easy geography and context in the city center
• Skúli Craft Bar beer and whiskey tasting: a longer stop where the guide can go deeper
• Final-bar atmosphere: many people remember the last location most, with strong local buzz
• Legal-age rules: if you’re under 20, this tour won’t work

Meeting at Ingólfur Square: finding your guide in Reykjavik’s center

Reykjavik can feel compact, but street names can still trip you up—so I love that this tour anchors you at Ingólfur Square, right by the two tall stone pillars (over 3 meters). It’s in the center near Center Hotels Plaza on Aðalstræti 6, and it sits at the beginning of Austurstræti (Austurstræti 1).

Your guide is easy to spot: in many cases they wear a light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik printed on the back. Show up at least 5 minutes early. Once the group starts moving, it’s hard for the guide to hunt everyone down on foot.

If you’re coming from Laugavegur (the main shopping street), walk straight down toward the square until you can’t go further. Use Google Maps or similar for the street-name part, and you’ll be fine.

The walk-and-talk style: why this feels different from a pub crawl

This is not a loud, chaotic pub crawl. It’s a walking tour with guided tastings, where each stop has a purpose and the guide weaves in local context as you go. You’ll get a feel for the city center by moving between iconic bar locations, and you’ll hear how Reykjavik’s drinking culture developed over time.

The tour is built around Icelandic beer in particular: the guides explain the short-but-proud local brewing story, how Icelanders use their freshwater, and how beer went from a historical oddity to a modern craft scene. They also touch on the fact that beer was banned in Iceland for 74 years—a detail that makes the rest of the evening click. When you understand the shift, the tastings feel more meaningful than just “something to drink.”

How many drinks you actually get (and what that means for value)

At $112 per person, this tour can look steep until you compare it to what you’ll pay at bars in Iceland. The key value is that drinks aren’t left to chance. You’re included for 10 Icelandic craft beer samples or 5 different schnaps and spirits, depending on the format you choose.

That matters because ordering flights across multiple places adds up quickly. Here, you also get guided selection—so you’re not standing at the bar guessing what’s worth your money. If you’re a lighter drinker or not a hardcore beer fan, the guides generally steer you toward options that fit your taste better, not just the strongest stuff.

One more practical note: food isn’t included. That doesn’t ruin the tour, but it does change how you should prep. I’d eat something beforehand and keep expectations realistic about timing—by the time you hit the later bars, you’ll still be tasting, not refueling.

First tasting stop: Skúli Craft Bar and the beer/whiskey combo

One of the best parts of the route is that it doesn’t try to rush you through everything. At Skúli Craft Bar, you spend about one hour, with beer and whiskey tasting in the mix. This is a solid anchor stop because it gives the guide time to explain what you’re tasting and why it matters in Iceland’s scene.

In practice, that longer block usually makes the experience feel more personal. You can ask questions without the constant pressure of the group moving on in minutes. If whiskey is more your lane than beer, this stop is a nice bridge—especially if the overall tour option you select includes schnaps/spirits.

The big payoff here is the chance to try beers that are strongly tied to Iceland—many that you won’t find outside the country. That’s the whole point of doing a dedicated craft beer tour rather than just ordering whatever’s on tap.

Session Craft Bar: keeping the momentum without feeling frantic

After the first deeper stop, the tour moves to Session Craft Bar for around 45 minutes, focused on beer. This is the “keep the night rolling” portion: enough time to taste, reset your palate, and have a conversation, but not so long that you start thinking about the next drink too much.

What I like about this kind of stop length is pacing. If everything was the same duration, you’d either get bored or feel rushed. Here, you get a steady rhythm: one place to linger, then places to sample with intention.

This is also where you can start noticing differences in Icelandic craft beer styles. Even if you don’t know the vocabulary, you’ll clock it by taste—how something finishes, how it smells when you first pour, and how the next beer builds (or corrects) what you had earlier.

Ölstofa: a classic finish with strong local personality

The next beer stop is Ölstofa, also about 45 minutes. People often remember the final portion most, and it makes sense: by now, you’re loosened up, you understand the context better, and the bar atmosphere has more weight.

One specific tasting detail that stands out from the experience: at the last stop, many people try Black Death. Whether it’s offered as part of the tasting list during your run depends on what’s scheduled, but it’s exactly the sort of Iceland-specific beer name you’ll want on your radar.

If you’re going out after, this is a good place to get your bearings. The guide can also point you toward where to eat next, and where to party depending on your vibe—quiet conversation, more energy, or just somewhere nearby to keep the night going.

Drop-off options: finishing near the action

The tour ends back in the Reykjavik center area, and you may see final drop-off locations listed around the last bar area—commonly Ölstofa and Bastarður Brew Pub. Since the overall structure is walk-and-taste, the finish is designed so you’re not stuck miles from nightlife if you want to continue.

In other words: don’t build your next plans too far away right after the tour. Think of this as the start of the evening, not a fully contained event.

Small group size: better questions, better conversations

This is one of the most praised aspects for a reason: group size is small. That changes everything about a beer tour. You’re more likely to get attention from the guide, and you can ask practical questions about what you’re tasting or about Iceland itself.

In the best runs, the guide builds the night around the group. Guides like Kristjan, Arnar, Astor, and Ástþór are specifically described as friendly, funny, and good at pulling people in. Even when the group isn’t packed, you still get the benefit of having a local voice steering the experience.

If you’re traveling with a friend who doesn’t love beer, that’s also where small groups help. A guide can steer tastings toward lighter or sweeter options instead of forcing everyone down the same path.

Price check: is $112 a fair deal for Reykjavik?

For Reykjavik, this price starts to make sense when you translate it into “cost per drink” and “cost per guided selection.” You’re included for 10 beer samples or 5 schnaps/spirits samples, and drinks are part of the package cost. Since alcohol pricing in Iceland can feel intense, having drinks included shifts the risk away from you.

The tour also saves time. Instead of you researching which craft bars matter most, asking what flights are available, and hoping the bar staff has time to explain the differences, you get a guided route built around three main bar stops.

So yes, $112 is not a budget snack. But for a 2.5-hour evening with multiple tastings and local context, it can be one of the better “spend it wisely” ways to experience Reykjavik after you arrive.

Who should book this beer and booze tour

I’d book it if you want:

• A first-night activity that helps you learn the city center quickly
• A craft-focused evening where most drinks are Iceland-only
• Local history mixed into what you’re actually drinking, including the 74-year ban story
• A fun group walk where you can ask questions (especially if you’re with one or two friends)

I’d think twice if:

• You want a food-heavy evening—this tour includes no meal
• You’re under 20 (the tour only allows people 20 and older)
• You’re pregnant, since it’s listed as not suitable for pregnant women

Quick tips to make your tour better

Wear layers. Reykjavik weather changes fast, and you’ll be walking between stops. Bring a passport or ID card, since the age requirement is part of the entry rules for the bars.

Also, take the tastings at a comfortable pace. You’ll likely sample multiple beers back-to-back, so if you want to enjoy the flavors (not just “get the buzz”), sip thoughtfully and keep water nearby when you can.

Finally, use the guide time wisely. Ask where to eat next and where the best nightlife scene is for your style. The tour’s format makes those recommendations practical, not generic.

Should you book this Reykjavik Beer and Booze Tour?

If you’re choosing between doing bars on your own versus paying for a guided tasting, this tour is strongest when you want guidance plus variety. The combination of 10 craft beer samples (or schnaps/spirits), a walk through key parts of the center, and the history behind Iceland’s brewing culture makes it feel like more than drinking—more like an Iceland lesson you can taste.

I’d book it if you’re 20+, you’re okay with no included food, and you want a structured evening that gets you oriented quickly. If your biggest priority is a fancy dinner or a slow museum-style visit, you’ll probably prefer something else. But for a fun first night that ends with real local buzz and a clear sense of where to go next, this one fits well.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Beer and Booze Tour?

It runs for about 2.5 hours, with starting times that vary based on availability.

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet at Ingólfur Square in the center of Reykjavik by the two tall stone pillars. It’s near Center Hotels Plaza on Aðalstræti 6, at the beginning of Austurstræti.

What’s included in the price?

You get 10 craft beer samples, or you can choose 5 different schnaps and spirits samples.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, so it’s smart to eat before the tour.

Do I need to be a certain age?

Yes. The tour only allows people who are 20 or older, since the legal alcohol age in Iceland is 20.

What if I prefer schnaps or spirits over beer?

You can opt for 5 different varieties of schnaps and spirits instead of the 10 beer tastings.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, the live guide speaks English.

Does this tour include hotel pickup?

No. There’s no hotel pickup or drop-off included.

What’s the cancellation policy?

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

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