Beer And Booze Tour

Reykjavik: Beer and Booze Tour

★ 4.9 72 reviews

2 hours 30 minutes, free cancellation.

from $122 per person

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Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Cancellation: Free cancellation

Overview

Ten Icelandic craft beers across three bars in the city center, with a local guide explaining how each one fits into the country's odd drinking history. That is the core of this two and a half hour walk from Your Friend In Reykjavik. Beer lovers get the full tasting flight, and anyone who prefers spirits can swap to five samples of snaps instead. There is a real chance of trying something from a microbrewery that has not reached the market yet.

The route starts at Hlöllabátar on Ingólfstorg, spends about ten minutes on a guided walk through the square, then settles into Skúli Craft bar for an hour of beer and whiskey tasting. From there the group moves to Lemmy and Ölstofa, roughly forty five minutes in each, and the tour can finish at either Ölstufa or Bastarður Brew Pub. Along the way the guide covers the Viking era of brewing, the seventy four year beer ban, and the microbrewery revival that followed.

This suits travellers who want an easy first night out in Reykjavik, including people on a short stopover. Groups are kept small so conversation ranges beyond beer, and the listing encourages picking the guide's brain about where to eat or party once the tour ends. Bring ID: the legal age to purchase alcohol in Iceland is twenty, and nobody younger can join the tour or enter the bars.

What's Included

Included

10 craft beer or 5 snaps and spirits samples

Not Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off
Food
Gratuities

Itinerary

Meet at HlöllabátarThe group gathers at Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1, 101 Reykjavík. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.
Guided walk at IngólfstorgA short guided tour of the square lasting 10 minutes, with orientation for the city center along the way.
Skúli Craft barBeer and whiskey tasting over 1 hour at a dedicated craft beer bar.
LemmyAround 45 minutes at the second bar of the night, continuing the tastings.
ÖlstufaThe final stop, about 45 minutes, with more Icelandic beer.
Tour endsThe tour finishes at either Ölstufa or Bastarður Brew Pub, both central, so the night can continue from there.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will make the evening smoother, from what to carry to how the group feels.

Bring ID. A passport or ID card is on the listing's what-to-bring list. Iceland's drinking age is twenty, and the tour only admits people twenty or older.
Dress in layers. The listing advises wearing layers, since this is Iceland.
Small group feel. Groups are intentionally small, and several reviewers describe evenings that felt like drinks with a local friend rather than a formal tour. Some travellers even ended up with a near-private outing on quieter nights.
Non beer drinkers. The listing offers five snaps and spirits samples as an alternative to the ten beers. One reviewer also noted a guide found lighter, sweeter beer options for a friend who did not normally drink beer.
Snacks along the way. The listing does not include food in the tour, though more than one review mentions snacks being provided during the evening. Plan dinner separately regardless.
Ask the guide. The listing encourages picking the guide's brain about where to eat or party once the tour ends. One reviewer also reported getting great suggestions for the rest of their time in Iceland from their guide.

Common issues. The walking between bars is short but outdoors, so bad weather can make parts of the evening less pleasant without proper layers. One reviewer reported a mix-up over the meeting point, so it pays to confirm the address at Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1, before heading out. Another felt two of the three bars were only average, even though the last one stood out. Hotel pickup, food, and gratuities are not included, and the tour is restricted to people aged twenty and over, which rules it out for families with children.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

The price covers 10 Icelandic craft beer samples, or 5 snaps and spirits samples if you prefer. A local English-speaking guide leads the walk between three bars. Some reviews also mention a small snack provided along the way.

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

No. The listing states hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The group meets at Hlöllabátar, Ingólfstorgi 1, 101 Reykjavík, in the city center.

Can I Do This Tour With Children?

No. The legal age to purchase alcohol in Iceland is twenty, and the tour only admits people twenty or older. Icelandic law bars anyone younger from being inside the bars on the route.

Is Food Included?

Food is not included, and neither are gratuities. All drinks in the tasting are included. Reviews mention a small sweet snack during the tour, but plan for a proper meal separately.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Check the booking page for the full terms before reserving.

What Should I Bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, as the listing requires. Wear layers, as the listing points out this is Iceland, and there is outdoor walking between stops.