Beer can teach Reykjavik fast. This 150-minute tour mixes Icelandic craft drinking with an easy walking route through the center, so you get both beer culture and quick city bearings. I like that the vibe is social, not stiff: you sit with locals, try flights, and get story-driven guidance from real beer people.

Two things I really like: first, the chance to taste 10 Icelandic craft beers (or 5 schnaps/spirits if you prefer) without doing the trial-and-error shuffle on your own. Second, you get a short Ingólfstorg orientation before the bars, which makes the rest of the night feel more connected to place.

One possible consideration: food isn’t part of the package, so if you get hungry on a cold walk, you’ll want a plan—plus the tour is strictly 20+, and it’s not for pregnant people.

Key highlights you’ll feel right away

• 10 beer samples (or 5 spirits): a real variety run, not one token pour
• Ingólfstorg orientation: a quick start that helps you understand central Reykjavik
• Skúli Craft bar focus: an hour-long stop that includes beer and whiskey tasting
• Two 45-minute bar loops: Lemmy and Ölstofa give the night different moods
• Beer’s Iceland story matters: Vikings to microbreweries, plus the 74-year ban
• Small groups: more time to chat with your guide and fellow drinkers

Reykjavik’s “beer plus city” approach

This tour works because it treats beer like a way to read the city. You’re not rushing from door to door just to tick off bars. Instead, you get a guided walk plus structured tastings that help you connect flavors to Icelandic culture.

The format is simple: you start outside the Sandwich Shop area by Hlöllabátar at Ingólfstorg Square, then you move through a handful of distinctive stops. Along the way, your guide ties the drinks to what’s going on historically—how Iceland’s brewers used freshwater, how the brewing story has twists from Viking times to the microbrew resurgence, and how beer was once banned for 74 years.

It’s also social in a practical way. In several reviews, guides like Chris, Kristjan, and Arnar are praised for pulling people into conversation, not just rattling facts. If you’ve ever felt awkward in a group tour, this one tends to lower the temperature.

Price and what you truly get for $128

At $128 per person for 150 minutes, the value is mostly about one thing: drinks are included. Iceland can be pricey for alcohol, so having a fixed number of tastings saves money and keeps you from guessing what to order at each bar.

Here’s how the math feels in real life: you’re sampling either 10 craft beers across stops, or 5 different schnaps and spirits. Either way, it’s a planned menu of variety. That matters because beer tasting in Reykjavik isn’t just about getting buzzed—it’s how you learn what styles Iceland does well, and what local breweries prioritize.

Two more value notes:

• The stops are spread out enough that you get time to actually taste and talk, not just shuffle.
• You’re paying for curation, but not in the fancy, vague way. You get specific tastings and guided context.

Food is not included, so you’ll want to eat beforehand or plan a bite during your evening so alcohol doesn’t outrun your appetite.

Meeting outside Hlöllabátar: fast orientation in the cold

You meet outside Hlöllabátar, facing Ingólfstorg Square, with the two tall stone pillars as your landmark. There are benches and a covered area to wait, which helps when you’re doing Iceland weather math in your head.

This part sounds small, but it’s smart. Starting near Ingólfstorg gives you an immediate sense of the central layout before you step into the nightlife loop. The tour includes a 10-minute guided segment here, so you’re not just standing around while everyone else starts drinking.

Practical tip: wear layers. Even if the walk feels short, the timing includes several indoor tastings mixed with short transitions. I’d rather be slightly overdressed than freeze while you’re trying to focus on flavors.

Also, bring passport or an ID card. The age policy is strict: 20+ only, and the tour doesn’t allow anyone under that, including children or infants.

Ingólfstorg Square: the quick lesson that makes the rest click

The Ingólfstorg stop is where the tour earns its “city-feel” reputation. In about ten minutes, you’ll get a guided orientation that makes the rest of Reykjavik feel less like random streets and more like a place with logic.

This matters for two reasons:

1. It gives you context while you’re sober enough to pay attention.
2. It helps you later, when you’re walking back or trying to navigate after a few drinks.

If you’re visiting for a short time—like a first evening in town or a quick stopover—this kind of start is gold. You end the tour with a better mental map, not just a buzz.

Skúli Craft bar: where the tasting gets its backbone

Your biggest tasting block is at Skúli Craft bar, about one hour. This is also the stop most aligned with that “iconic craft brew bar” promise, since you’ll get both beer and whiskey tasting here.

What I like about structuring the longest stop early-ish is that you get time to calibrate. By the time you arrive, you’ve moved through the opening orientation, so the flavors make more sense. Then you settle into the main course of the tour: tasting multiple beers and learning what makes them Icelandic.

One practical advantage: whiskey tasting can broaden the experience if you’re not an only-beer person. Some nights have enough variety that even non-hardcore beer drinkers end up finding something that fits their taste.

A note from the way guides are described in reviews: hosts like Asthor and Ástþór are often praised for knowing the character of the beers they’re serving, and for keeping the atmosphere fun. That kind of guiding helps when you’re trying to compare similar styles across different breweries.

Lemmy: a 45-minute beer stop with a different vibe

Next comes Lemmy for about 45 minutes, with beer as the focus.

This stop matters because it breaks the “same-room, same-taste” problem. Two 45-minute bar segments spaced out after the Skúli block means you don’t just keep repeating the same impression. You’ll likely notice differences in profiles—malty, crisp, hoppy, or sweeter options—depending on what’s being served.

In reviews, I saw a pattern that helps you if you’re picky: at least one guide did a good job matching lighter or sweeter beers for someone who wasn’t a big beer drinker. That’s exactly what you want from a tour—flexibility inside a structured plan.

Possible drawback: not every bar gets equal praise. One review noted that a couple stops were just okay, while the final one hit the right spot atmospherically. Still, the core tasting value stays strong because the tour aims for variety across locations.

Ölstofa: another 45 minutes, another angle on Icelandic beer

Ölstofa is the next 45-minute segment, again centered on beer tastings. This is the kind of stop that often works well because it’s not just about the beer—it’s also about the room. Reviews mention the final stop having strong atmosphere, and Ölstofa appears as one of the key locations in the tour’s flow.

At this stage, you’re usually warmed up and more willing to ask questions. This is when a good guide can connect what you’re tasting to the broader Iceland story: why the beer culture took the twists it did, why microbreweries bounced back, and how the modern craft scene reflects local priorities.

In practical terms, this stop is also where you can slow down. You’ve already tried enough to get a sense of what you like, so your remaining pours can turn into a mini “top picks” conversation with your guide.

Bastarður Brew Pub and the drop-off options

Your tour ends with drop-off at two locations: Bastarður Brew Pub and Ölstofa. That’s more useful than it sounds.

First, it gives you a choice depending on your energy level. Want to continue the evening? You’ve got a bar path. Want to wander back and explore more quietly? You can orient from central spots without feeling stranded.

Second, it makes the tour feel like part of a bigger night, not a hard stop. In Reykjavik, plans often evolve fast after the first hour. Ending at places that actually make sense for a continuation reduces decision stress.

From reviews, the last bar tends to be the one people remember most. If you want to catch that peak atmosphere, it helps to show up hungry, dressed warm, and ready to pay attention during the earlier tastings.

Guides who keep it lively and human (not a lecture)

A big reason this tour earns a high rating is guide style. Across reviews, different guides show up with a consistent theme: they’re funny, engaging, and good at getting a group talking.

Names that came up include Chris, Kristjan, Arnar, Asthor, Ástþór, and Astor. Even when guides are different people, the pattern is the same:

• they share history without turning it into a classroom
• they guide the tasting so you understand what you’re drinking
• they keep the group moving, but not rushed

I also like that your guide can be a local information source beyond beer. Reviews specifically mention getting advice on where to eat after the tour and where to party if your night is trending that way. That’s a practical win because Reykjavik nightlife decisions can be overwhelming when you’re tired.

Who this tour fits best

This works best if you like any of these:

• drinking tours that include context, not just pours
• learning what styles Iceland brews and why
• social groups where you can chat with strangers in a friendly way

It may not fit if:

• you’re under 20 (required)
• you’re pregnant (not suitable)
• you’re looking for a food-focused experience (food isn’t included)

If you’re the kind of person who worries about keeping up with alcohol tastings, the tour’s structure helps. You’re not forced into big pours. You’re sampling, and guides tend to steer you toward options that match your preferences.

Pace, what to wear, and small planning tips

The schedule is built for a steady flow over 150 minutes. You’ll likely spend time standing and walking briefly in between bar stops, then settle indoors for tastings.

Bring:

• passport or ID
• layers (Iceland has a way of changing the temperature without asking)
• a mindset that this is a walk-and-taste evening, not a long sightseeing day

Food is the one missing piece. The tour includes drinks, but you’ll still want to eat enough beforehand so you don’t end up thinking about snacks between pours. Some reviews mention sweet snacks or small bites happening during stops, but since food isn’t listed as included, treat that as a bonus, not a plan.

One more consideration: if you’re booking for a Monday or a slower night, you might end up with a smaller group. Several reviews mention tours running with very small groups, which can make the experience feel more like a private hang than a group event.

Should you book the Reykjavik Beer and Booze Tour?

I think you should book it if you want a quick, high-value way to understand Reykjavik’s modern drinking culture while getting real tastings and a bit of city orientation. The included drinks make the price easier to swallow, and the pacing keeps it fun without feeling like a sprint.

I’d pass if you mainly want food, or if alcohol is a hard “no” for you. Also, it’s not the right choice if age restrictions or pregnancy rules affect your group.

If you do book, show up warm, eat first, and come ready to ask questions. Guides like Chris, Kristjan, and Arnar are the type that turn tastings into conversations. That’s the difference between tasting beer and tasting a place.

FAQ

How long is the Reykjavik Beer and Booze Tour?

The tour lasts about 150 minutes.

What’s included in the tour price?

Your price includes 10 craft beer samples or 5 different schnaps and spirits samples.

What age do I need to be to join?

You must be 20 or older, since the tour only allows people who are old enough to purchase alcohol in Iceland.

Where do I meet the guide?

You meet outside Hlöllabátar the Sandwich Shop, facing Ingólfstorg Square and the two tall stone pillars.

Is food included?

Food is not included.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant women?

No. It’s not suitable for pregnant women.

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