If Reykjavik feels a bit too big at first, this makes it smaller. You get 10 Icelandic craft beer tastings plus a guided walk that gets you oriented quickly, and it is led by friendly guides like Kristjan and Arnar. The main catch: it is built for people who drink, since all samples are alcohol and food is not included.

What I love most is the mix of tasting and context. You do not just bounce between bars, you hear how Iceland’s drinking culture went from Viking-era roots to a long ban on beer, then back again with today’s microbreweries. One other heads-up: you are standing and walking between places, so dress for cold wind and plan for a fairly tipsy end to the evening.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• 10 craft beer tastings or 5 schnaps and spirits samples, included in the price
• Three main bar stops that give real variety, not just one place repeated
• City orientation in the center with a quick guided stop at Ingólfur Square
• Small groups so you can actually talk with your guide and each other
• Guides get people involved, with options for lighter or sweeter tastes when needed
• English-only with guides usually in a light blue jacket for easy spotting

Finding Ingólfur Square, then getting oriented fast

The tour kicks off right in Reykjavik’s center. You meet at Ingólfur Square by the two tall stone pillars (over 3 meters high). It is in front of Center Hotels Plaza, on Aðalstræti 6, near the start of Austurstræti. The guide is usually easy to spot too, in a light blue jacket with Your Friend in Reykjavik on the back.

This matters more than you might think. Reykjavik can feel compact but confusing when you are new, and street names can be tricky. Getting a quick walk-based orientation early helps you later, when you are deciding where to grab dinner or where to go for a second night.

Tip: If you are using your phone, use Google Maps and zoom in on the pillars. Also, aim to arrive at least 5 minutes early. Starting on time is hard when people show up late, and it puts everyone behind schedule.

The tasting setup: 10 craft beers or 5 schnaps, plus a warm buzz

This is billed as a beer and booze tour, and it lives up to that. You will sample either 10 Icelandic craft beers, or 5 different schnaps and spirits (so you still get variety). The idea is not to drink one kind all night. Instead, you sample across styles so you can find what fits your palate.

The best part is that the tastings are aimed at what is special about Iceland right now, including options that many people can only find there. If you are the type who usually sticks to one beer you like, you might be surprised by how many different directions the Icelandic scene can go.

And yes, it is designed to leave you with a warm buzz. Even if you slow down and pace yourself, you are still committing to a multi-stop alcohol experience. This is not the right tour if you want a dry, early evening stroll.

Stop at Ingólfur Square: a quick history-and-layout primer

Before you hit the bars, you get a short guided stop at Ingólfur Square. Plan for about 10 minutes here.

Why this matters: it gives you a mental map of the area, so the rest of the night feels logical instead of random. You also get a taste of the story the guide will keep tying back into what you are drinking. It is the kind of setup that makes you pay attention during the tastings rather than just focus on the next glass.

Skúli Craft bar: the long first taste, plus whiskey

Your first real bar stop is Skúli Craft bar, where you get about 1 hour of tasting. This stop is built around beer and whiskey.

This is a nice way to kick the evening off because you are not limited to beer alone. You get a chance to compare styles, then shift from beer flavors into spirits. If whiskey is a blind spot for you, this is one of the easiest ways to start learning without turning it into homework.

The review highlights are consistent here: people like the guide’s pacing and involvement, and they remember this as a key stop, not just a quick drink stop. The tasting time also gives you room to ask questions while your guide is in full storytelling mode.

Practical note: because it is a full hour, arrive ready to spend time. If you try to keep it too light at this stage, you may feel rushed later.

Session Craft Bar: beer focused, about 45 minutes

Next comes Session Craft Bar for about 45 minutes, and this leg is beer-focused.

This stop acts like the “second opinion” to what you tasted at Skúli. If you started with something darker or heavier, you may find lighter options here. If you started with lighter beers, this can help show what Icelandic brewers do when they go bolder.

One of the strongest themes in the feedback I saw is that the guides adjust to the group. If you are not a big beer drinker, guides can help you find lighter or sweeter options that actually feel like beer, not like an apology. That is a big deal in a tasting tour, because it prevents the tour from becoming a one-note experience.

Ölstofa: the final beer stop that often hits hardest

The last bar stop is Ölstofa, another 45-minute tasting. This is where the tour often lands at its best atmosphere.

Even when earlier bars are fine, people tend to remember the last stop as the one where things feel most fun and social. That fits the format well. By the time you reach Ölstofa, you have already learned enough to appreciate what you are sampling, and you have settled into the rhythm of the evening.

One review specifically called out a tasting of Black Death at one of the stops. If that is on the menu during your visit, it is the kind of name that makes you curious, and the kind of beer that can shift how you think about Icelandic styles.

How your guide changes the whole experience

The quality of this tour is closely tied to the guide. The ratings are extremely high for a reason: the best guides do two things at once, they teach and they keep it lively.

I saw repeated praise for guides who are friendly, funny, and great at getting everyone involved. Names that came up include Kristjan, Arnar, and Ástþór. Aster/Astor also got shout-outs for entertainment and for making the night feel like a group event, not a classroom with beer.

This is not small talk. Guides are sharing stories that connect directly to what you drink, including Iceland’s legal history around alcohol. You also get the practical “how to think about beer here” perspective, which makes your later tastings on your own more enjoyable. You are less likely to grab the first thing that looks familiar, and more likely to pick something that matches the flavors you learned from the tour.

Price and value: what $112 buys you in Iceland

The price is $112 per person for about 2.5 hours. That is not cheap on paper, but the math makes more sense once you factor in Iceland pricing for drinks and the amount included.

You are getting either:

• 10 craft beer samples, or
• 5 schnaps and spirits samples

And everything is included, so you are not doing the annoying “pay again” feeling that can happen on some walking tours. One review also mentioned how alcohol is not inexpensive in Iceland, and this tour is priced in a way that lets you try good beers without paying full bar prices for each one.

If you split your time like this, it is also a solid starter plan for a first night in Reykjavik. You get drinks, you get context, and you walk through the center so you can navigate later.

Food, pacing, and the cold: the only real things to plan

Food is not included. That means you should eat before the tour if you want your evening to feel smooth. If you arrive hungry, you might feel it more than you expect, especially since you are sampling alcohol over multiple stops.

Also, bring layers. Iceland weather is famously unpredictable, and this is a walking tour with time outside between bars. Comfortable shoes help too, because you are doing an evening that mixes short walks with actual time seated at tastings.

If you are pregnant, this tour is not suitable. And if you are under 20, you cannot join. Iceland’s legal age for purchasing alcohol is 20, and the bar rules on tours follow that closely.

Who should book this Reykjavik beer and booze tour?

This tour is a great match if:

• You are visiting Reykjavik for the first time and want an easy orientation in the city center
• You like craft beer or you want to learn what makes Icelandic beer distinct
• You want a fun, social activity without needing to plan bar hopping yourself
• You want guided context, not just tasting for tasting’s sake

It is not the right fit if:

• You do not drink alcohol or you need a zero-alcohol plan
• You are hoping for food-focused dining
• You want a calm, early, quiet night

It is also worth knowing that the tour is in English, and it is available as a private group if that helps your schedule or your comfort level.

After the final stop: how to keep your night going

At the end, the tour returns to the meeting point. The itinerary also lists possible end points connected to Ölstofa and Bastarður Brew Pub. Either way, you will finish in a part of the city that is already set up for your next move.

My practical advice: think of this tour as your first chapter. Before you set out for dinner or a later bar, ask your guide where they would go next based on your taste. That way you are not guessing. You already have the flavor map from the tastings, and you know how the bars in the center feel after a bit of local storytelling.

Should You Book This Reykjavik Beer and Booze Tour?

If you want a high-value night in Reykjavik that mixes Icelandic craft beer tastings with real city orientation, I think this is an easy yes. At $112, you are paying for drinks that would cost plenty on your own, and the format keeps it fun without turning it into a chaotic pub crawl.

Book it if you like guided stories, you are okay with walking in layers, and you are excited to try beers that are harder to find elsewhere. Skip it if you want food included, you avoid alcohol, or you need a very quiet evening.

In short, this is one of the best ways to start learning Reykjavik fast, with a glass in your hand and a guide who actually makes the history matter.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point for the Reykjavik beer tour?

You meet at Ingólfur Square in the center of Reykjavik, by the two tall stone pillars. The square is in front of Center Hotels Plaza, on Aðalstræti 6, near the beginning of Austurstræti.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 2.5 hours.

What drinks are included in the tour price?

Your tasting includes 10 craft beer samples or 5 varieties of schnaps and spirits.

Is food included?

No, food is not included.

Do I need to bring ID?

Yes. You should bring a passport or ID card.

What is the minimum age to join?

You must be 20 or older. People under 20 cannot join.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant women?

No, it is not suitable for pregnant women.

What language is the tour guide?

The tour is guided in English.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point. The itinerary also lists drop-off locations at Ölstofa and Bastarður Brew Pub.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $112 per person.