Beer and Reykjavik go together too well.

This tour is a walking night out built around Icelandic craft bars, with a quick orientation so you start the evening knowing where you are.

I love that you get 10 craft beer samples (or 5 varieties of schnaps/spirits) with drinks included, not a basic “wander and order” pub crawl. I also like how the guides connect the tasting to Iceland’s drinking culture and beer history, from old rules to today’s microbrew scene.

One thing to consider: there’s no food included, so you’ll want a snack before you go and to pace yourself on the walking schedule.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel

• Three bar stops, not a random circuit so you can taste, compare, and talk.
• 10 Icelandic craft beer samples or 5 spirits with drinks included.
• Ingólfur Square orientation that helps you navigate downtown fast.
• Skúli Craft Bar time for beer plus whiskey tasting (a longer, deeper first pour).
• Small groups that make it easier to ask questions and get involved.
• A possible pre-release pour from an Icelandic microbrewery that’s not widely available yet.

How the 2.5-Hour Reykjavik Beer Walk Really Works

This is a guided beer tasting tour built for a relaxed downtown pace. You’re out for about 2.5 hours, which is just long enough to learn the local scene without wrecking your whole night.

You’ll taste your way through three of the city’s craft-focused bars and sample a total of 10 craft beers or 5 schnaps and spirits. The big practical win: the drinks are included in the ticket price, so you can enjoy the tasting without surprise costs piling up mid-tour.

The setting is casual, but it’s not a sloppy pub crawl. You’ll walk, sit down at each stop, and get a thread of context—why Icelandic beer looks the way it does, and how locals ended up with such a distinctive approach to alcohol.

Finding Ingólfur Square (and Not the Wrong Statues)

You meet at Ingólfur Square, right by the two stone pillars (they’re over 3 meters high). The square sits in front of Center Hotels Plaza on Aðalstræti 6, and it’s at the beginning of Austurstræti (near Austurstræti 1).

Plan to arrive at least 5 minutes early. It sounds small, but in Reykjavik’s center it can be hard to track late arrivals once the group is moving.

Also, don’t aim for the nearby icons like the statue of Ingólfur Arnarsson at Austurvöllur or the statue of Jon Sigurdsson. Your guide is specifically waiting at Ingólfur Square by those tall pillars. A helpful tip: use Google Maps or similar, because Icelandic street names can be tricky.

In most cases, your guide wears a light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back, so it’s usually easy to spot them.

Stop 1: Ingólfur Square Orientation in 10 Minutes

Before the first pour, you get a short guided orientation at Ingólfur Square. It’s only about 10 minutes, but it matters because Reykjavik’s center is compact—you’ll be walking familiar streets right after this.

This is where you’ll likely get the “how to read the city” basics: what areas are where, how to move through downtown without backtracking, and what to pay attention to as you go bar to bar.

If you want to use the rest of the evening well—dinner, a second drink stop, or late-night plans—this quick orientation makes the whole night easier.

Stop 2: Skúli Craft Bar for Beer and Whiskey Tasting (About 1 Hour)

Your first long tasting block is at Skúli Craft bar, where you spend about 1 hour. This stop includes beer tasting and whiskey tasting, which gives you a broader look at Icelandic “craft” beyond just beer.

This is also the kind of place where the guide’s stories land best. You’re not only sampling flavors—you’re learning how Iceland’s brewing culture developed, including the role of freshwater and how beer became part of Iceland’s identity.

If you’re the type who likes to understand what you’re drinking, this is the stop where you’ll get that context. And if you’re more into tasting than theory, the longer time still gives you room to compare beers and ask questions without feeling rushed.

Stop 3: Session Craft Bar for a Focused Beer Stop (45 Minutes)

Next up is Session Craft Bar, with about 45 minutes for beer. This is where the pacing starts to feel like a real tasting tour instead of a quick checklist.

In practical terms, 45 minutes is enough time to settle in, try multiple beers, and have the guide explain differences—like why one beer might lean lighter or sweeter while another feels more assertive. If your group includes different beer styles (or different beer lovers), this is often the part where choices start to click.

One of the most useful parts of a small-group format is that you can ask what you should be tasting at each stop. That’s the moment many people end up discovering a style they didn’t expect to like.

Stop 4: Ölstofa for the Final 45 Minutes (Where Atmosphere Matters)

The final tasting stop is Ölstofa, also about 45 minutes. This is where the tour often feels like it becomes a true evening hangout, not just a scheduled event.

Ölstofa is a craft-friendly capstone, and it’s the kind of bar where the guide’s enthusiasm helps you slow down and enjoy the final flight. One tasting mentioned by guides and groups is Black Death, which is a memorable Icelandic option if it’s offered in the pour you get.

Even if you’re not chasing dark spirits or strong beers, the last stop is the moment to be brave. You’ll have enough background by then to notice what you liked earlier—and then see how the final bar’s lineup changes the story.

The tour finishes with drop-off options listed at Ölstofa and Bastarður Brew Pub. At the same time, the activity info indicates it ends back at the meeting point, so expect to wrap up in the central area near where you started.

What You’ll Actually Taste: 10 Beers or 5 Spirits (Not a Random Crawl)

This tour is built around real Icelandic craft beer access—many of the beers you sample are the kind you don’t regularly see outside Iceland. That alone makes the tour useful, especially if you want more than the standard international lager choices.

You’ll choose between two tasting formats:

• 10 craft beers across the stops
• or 5 schnaps and spirits varieties

That choice matters. If you’re a beer person, you’ll leave with a better map of Iceland’s brewing flavors—what’s common, what’s surprising, and what tends to hit best in a bar setting. If you prefer spirits, the schnaps/whiskey emphasis gives you a parallel look at Iceland’s alcohol culture without forcing you to drink beer you don’t enjoy.

The guide storytelling adds more than trivia. You’ll hear how beer went from Viking-era roots to a long period when beer faced strict limits. One fascinating detail you may cover: beer was banned in Iceland for 74 years, and later restrictions shaped how locals thought about alcohol. Hearing that helps you understand why today’s craft scene feels so proud and personal.

Guides Make or Break This Tour (Kristjan, Arnar, Ástþór, Astor, and Aster)

The best part of this experience isn’t just the bars—it’s the people walking you through them. The tour is led by live English guides, and the names you’ll see in past experiences include Kristjan, Arnar, Ástþór, Astor, and Aster.

Across these guide styles, a pattern shows up: they keep things fun while staying on topic. In practice, that means you get beer talk plus Reykjavik context, and you’re not left sitting silently while everyone else tastes.

One practical perk of small groups is that it’s easier to get your guide’s attention. If your friend isn’t into beer, guides have a way to point you toward lighter or sweeter options so the tour still feels enjoyable for everyone.

If you want to ask questions that go beyond the tour—where to eat afterward, or what area fits your vibe next—this is a great moment to do it. You’ll leave with local direction, not just a list of popular spots.

Price and Value for $112 in Reykjavik

At $112 per person for about 2.5 hours, this isn’t the cheapest thing in town. But it can be good value because the tour includes all drinks you taste: either 10 craft beers or 5 schnaps/spirits.

Do the simple math: if you get 10 beers, you’re paying roughly a bit over $11 per sample (before any local bar pricing comparisons). Since drinks in Reykjavik are rarely bargain-priced, the “included tasting” setup is the part that makes the ticket feel fair.

Also, you’re not just paying for alcohol. You’re paying for:

• a guided bar-to-bar route in central Reykjavik
• a city orientation at the start
• explanations that help you understand what you’re drinking

If you were trying to recreate this on your own, you’d likely spend more just figuring out where to go and what to order to get a real range.

What to Know Before You Go (So You Don’t Freeze or Overdo It)

Bring passport or an ID card, since the tour is restricted by Iceland’s legal alcohol age of 20. That means the tour only allows people who are 20 or older.

It also isn’t suitable for pregnant women, and it’s not appropriate if you’re under 20. This is a tour designed for bar settings, and bars have rules you won’t be able to sidestep.

Wear layers. Reykjavik weather can turn your “quick walk between bars” into a test if you’re underdressed. You’ll be moving on foot, so dress for cold and wind, not just indoor comfort.

And remember: food isn’t included. The tour may make you feel like you should just keep drinking, but your better plan is to eat beforehand and sip responsibly.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Might Not Love It)

This beer and booze tour is a strong fit if you want:

• a guided introduction to Reykjavik’s craft bar scene
• a tasting format that gives you range instead of one or two beers
• a fun group walk that stays social and informative

It can be less ideal if you want a food-heavy evening, since there’s no meal included. If you hate alcohol or want a full non-drinking experience, you’ll also probably feel out of place in bar environments where the main activity is tasting.

For beer lovers, it’s a quick way to get up to speed on what Icelandic craft tastes like. For spirits fans, it gives you a structured way to sample schnaps/spirits without guessing what’s worth ordering.

Should You Book the Reykjavik Beer and Booze Tour?

I think you should book if you’re visiting Reykjavik for a short time and want a compact night that does three things well: tasting, local context, and downtown navigation. The small-group setup and the mix of beer plus whiskey tasting give you more than “drink at three bars.”

You should skip it if you’re looking for food, or if you don’t fit the 20+ alcohol age requirement. And if you’re sensitive to alcohol, treat it like a planned tasting with pacing—because the whole point is multiple pours over a walk.

If you want an easy first-night plan that doesn’t require homework, this one is hard to beat.

FAQ

How many drinks are included?

You get either 10 Icelandic craft beer samples or 5 schnaps and spirits samples, depending on the tasting format you choose.

Where do we meet for the Reykjavik beer tour?

You meet at Ingólfur Square, by the two stone pillars in central Reykjavik. The guide is typically wearing a light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back.

How old do you have to be to join?

The tour only allows people who are 20 or older, since Iceland’s legal alcohol age is 20.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included on this tour.

How long is the tour, and is the guide in English?

The tour lasts about 2.5 hours, and it includes a live English speaking guide.

Can I cancel for a full refund, and can I pay later?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now & pay later to keep your plans flexible.