Iceland banned all alcoholic drinks from 1915. Full-strength beer became legal on 1 March 1989.
The beer ban and the day it ended
After the ban was relaxed, beer stronger than 2.25 percent alcohol stayed banned.
During the independence struggle, Icelanders associated beer with Danish lifestyles, which counted against it. Full-strength beer became legal in Iceland on 1 March 1989.
On the first day, drinkers ordered beer in scenes shown live on national television. Icelanders mark the return of beer each year as Beer Day.
The craft beer scene
Microbreweries have opened across Iceland. Some microbreweries pair beer with food.
Some microbreweries run taprooms. Many microbreweries draw on Icelandic nature.
Breweries around the country
Segull 67 is a brewery in Siglufjordur in North Iceland. Segull 67 runs brewery tours with tasting.
Olverk in Hveragerdi is a brewery and pizzeria. Olverk uses geothermal energy.
Husavik Ol is a brewery in Husavik in North Iceland.
Dokkan Brugghus is a brewery in Isafjordur in the Westfjords.
Smidjan Brugghus is a brewery in Vik in South Iceland.
RVK Brewing Co. runs a taproom in Reykjavik.
Bruggsmidjan, which makes Kaldi, is at Arskogssandur in North Iceland.
Every brewery by region is listed in the guide to breweries in Iceland.
For a beer spa beside a brewery in North Iceland, see the beer spa guide.
Buying beer in Iceland
The legal age for buying alcohol, and where and when to buy it, are covered in the guide to buying alcohol in Iceland.
Plan the trip
Every brewery is marked on the brewery map. Use the Driving Distance Calculator to help plan a trip between breweries.
Beer tours in Reykjavik
You can compare Reykjavik tours, including beer and brewery tours, to see the current options.
