Private Reykjavik Beer & Booze Tour

Beer tells a funny Icelandic story. This private Reykjavik tour combines three central bars with Icelandic craft beer, schnapps, and a guide who explains why beer was banned for 74 years. I like the relaxed private format, and I like that the drinks are included rather than added one by one at each stop. The main drawback is the price: at $172.48 per person, it makes the most sense if you value personal attention and would rather have a guide choose the bars and drinks for you.

The tour lasts about two to two and a half hours, beginning at Ingólfur Square and ending near Hallgrimskirkja. You walk between stops, so it is easy to fit into a day in central Reykjavik. Still, this is an alcohol-focused outing, not a quick tasting. You need to be at the meeting point five minutes early, and you must be at least 20 years old to drink.

Key points to know before booking

• Three Reykjavik bars: Skuli Craft Bar, Session Craft Bar, and Olstofa Kormaks og Skjaldar each bring a different angle to the evening.
• Beer and schnapps included: You sample Icelandic drinks without paying separate bar tabs during the tour.
• Private group setting: Only your own party takes part, making it easier to ask questions and set the pace.
• A useful history lesson: The guide explains Iceland’s 74-year beer ban and the country’s changing drinking culture.
• A guide-led tasting: At Session Craft Bar, you try four different Icelandic beers, or a couple of local schnapps instead.
• A central walking route: The tour starts at Ingólfur Square and finishes at Hallgrimskirkja, with no hotel transportation included.

Why Icelandic beer makes a good walking tour subject

Iceland is not the first country most people associate with beer. That is part of the fun. The country had a long ban on beer, lasting 74 years, and that unusual fact gives the tasting a stronger sense of place than a standard pub crawl.

I like tours that explain the odd details behind a drink. Here, the guide talks about the history of alcohol in Iceland while you sample local beers and schnapps. The stories help you understand why Icelandic drinking culture developed differently from that of many other European countries.

This is also a practical way to sample styles you might not order on your own. Reykjavik has plenty of bars, but choosing three good ones takes time. A private guide removes that guesswork and gives you a person to ask about local life, drinks, and other things to do in Iceland.

The tone appears to be informal and social. One guide named Arnar has been praised for spending time on questions about life in Iceland and offering ideas for the rest of a visit. That sort of conversation can be as useful as the tasting itself, especially if this is your first evening in Reykjavik.

Starting at Ingólfur Square

The meeting point is Ingólfur Square, at Austurstræti 4 in central Reykjavik. You should arrive five minutes before the scheduled start. The first five minutes are set aside for meeting the guide and getting moving toward the first bar.

The starting point matters because you are not being collected from your hotel. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to Ingólfur Square. The area is near public transportation, which helps if your lodging is outside the center.

The route finishes at Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavik’s well-known church, at Hallgrímstorg 1. That gives you a clear landmark at the end of the evening. It also lets you continue with dinner, a walk, or your own plans without returning to the starting point.

The tour operates in all weather. Reykjavik weather can change quickly, so I would wear a waterproof outer layer and comfortable shoes. You are moving between bars on foot, and rain or wind can make a short walk feel longer than expected.

Skuli Craft Bar: the first taste of Iceland

The first full stop is Skuli Craft Bar, where the tasting begins with a selection of Icelandic craft beers or a schnapps. The scheduled stay is about 45 minutes, long enough to settle in and listen rather than simply drink and leave.

This is where the guide introduces the unusual history of alcohol in Iceland. The discussion of the old beer ban gives the rest of the tour a useful frame. You are not just trying something local. You are hearing why beer became such an interesting part of modern Icelandic life.

I like starting with a longer stop. It gives you time to meet the guide, ask questions, and work out what kinds of drinks you prefer. If you are more interested in schnapps than beer, the tour allows that option. If you want a broader sample of local beer, you can begin there instead.

Because this is a private tour, your group can ask questions without worrying about holding up a large crowd. That is a real advantage for anyone curious about daily life in Iceland, not only the drinks.

Session Craft Bar and four Icelandic beers

The second stop is Session Craft Bar, with about 50 minutes set aside. This is the main tasting stop. You sample four different Icelandic beers, or a couple of Icelandic schnapps if that suits your group better.

Four beers in one sitting is enough to show contrast, but it can also be a lot if you drink quickly. I would take the tasting at an easy pace and listen to the guide’s explanations between samples. The tour description notes that this part includes tips, tricks, and stories about the Icelandic craft beer and booze scene.

This stop seems designed to become more conversational as the group relaxes. The guide is there to explain what you are drinking and share humorous stories, not simply place glasses on the table. That makes it a good match for people who enjoy asking questions and comparing impressions.

The private format has another benefit here. Your group can focus on beer, switch to schnapps, or ask for more detail about the local drinking scene. The exact balance depends on your guide and group, but the options are clearly built into the experience.

One caution is simple: four beer samples can affect you more than expected, particularly if you have already been drinking or have not eaten. The tour lasts only a couple of hours, so pace yourself. The point is to taste and learn, not to turn the final walk into a test of balance.

Olstofa Kormaks og Skjaldar and the final local specialty

The final stop is Olstofa Kormaks og Skjaldar, where you sample a unique award-winning Icelandic beer and hear more about its background. The planned time is about 45 minutes.

This stop gives the tour a distinct finish. The drink is described as something you cannot find anywhere else, so it is not simply another general beer bar. The focus is on one special Icelandic beer and the story connected to it.

I appreciate that the final stop is not just a repeat of the second. The first bar introduces the subject, Session Craft Bar gives you variety, and Olstofa Kormaks og Skjaldar offers a more focused final taste. That progression makes the short tour feel planned rather than random.

The conversation also returns to the beer ban. By this point, the history has more meaning because you have sampled the modern result of Iceland’s craft beer culture. The old restriction is no longer an isolated fact from a guidebook. It becomes part of the story you have been hearing across the evening.

What the private format really adds

This is a private experience for your own group. That does not mean you receive a completely custom route or unlimited drinking. It means you are not combined with strangers, and you can speak directly with the guide throughout the evening.

I see the private setup as the strongest reason to consider the price. If you are traveling as a couple, family group, or small circle of friends, you get a more personal setting for questions and conversation. You can ask about Icelandic life, local bars, or ideas for the rest of your visit.

The private arrangement also suits mixed interests better than a fixed group tour. Some people may prefer beer, while others may want schnapps. The itinerary gives both options at several points, though you should not assume every person can switch freely between every sample without checking with the guide.

A private tour can feel less lively if your group is very quiet or does not enjoy conversation. The guide’s personality matters, and the available feedback is limited. The strongest praise focuses on the guide being fun, easy to talk with, and helpful beyond the scheduled tasting.

Is $172.48 per person a fair price?

At $172.48 per person, this is not a budget pub crawl. You are paying for the drinks, a professional local guide, the private group arrangement, and the time saved researching Reykjavik’s bars.

The value is easier to see if you would otherwise pay for several tastings and hire a guide separately. You also get a route that begins and ends at useful central landmarks. The guide’s stories and personal recommendations add value that you would not receive by simply ordering a beer at a bar.

Still, the price may be hard to justify if you only want one local beer or prefer choosing your own nightlife. Reykjavik’s central bars can be visited independently, and this tour does not include hotel transportation. You also need to account for your own food before or after the experience, since meals are not listed among the inclusions.

Group discounts are offered, so the price may work better for a larger private party. The booking pattern suggests people reserve about 17 days ahead on average. I would not leave it until the last moment if your dates are fixed, particularly because the private format may have limited availability.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would choose this for someone who wants an easy introduction to Reykjavik’s beer scene without spending an afternoon comparing bar menus. It suits people who enjoy local stories, guided tastings, and informal conversation.

It is especially useful early in your Iceland visit. A guide can point you toward other things to do, as Arnar did for one group, and you can use the evening to ask practical questions about life in Iceland.

This is also a good fit for a private celebration or a small group of friends who want the night to feel organized but not formal. You have a guide, several bars, and drinks included, but you are not on a large coach with a fixed crowd.

I would think twice if you do not drink alcohol, dislike walking between venues, or want a quiet cultural tour. The experience centers on beer and schnapps. Most participants can take part, but the minimum drinking age is 20.

The tour runs in all weather, so it is not ideal if you want an indoor-only activity. Reykjavik’s weather is part of the practical calculation. Bring suitable clothing and expect to walk outdoors between stops.

Booking, timing, and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided when you book. The tour is near public transportation, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Meet at Ingólfur Square five minutes before departure, and plan your route in advance.

The total time is listed as approximately two to two and a half hours. The stop times add up to about 140 minutes, including the short introduction, so allow the full window rather than scheduling another activity immediately afterward.

The tour may be canceled if the minimum number of participants is not reached. In that case, you receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Reykjavik beer tour?

I would book it if you want three central bars, Icelandic beer and schnapps, and a private guide who can explain the country’s unusual alcohol history. The strongest feature is the conversation. You are not left to decode unfamiliar drinks alone, and you can ask about Iceland beyond the bar counter.

I would skip it if $172.48 feels high for an evening of drinks or if you would rather choose your own bars. For everyone else, this is a well-organized way to meet Reykjavik through its craft beer scene, with a useful local voice and enough variety to make the short route worthwhile.

FAQ

How long does the private Reykjavik beer tour last?

The tour lasts approximately two to two and a half hours.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Ingólfur Square, Austurstræti 4, 101 Reykjavik.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Hallgrimskirkja, Hallgrímstorg 1, 101 Reykjavik.

Which bars are included?

The route includes Skuli Craft Bar, Session Craft Bar, and Olstofa Kormaks og Skjaldar.

How many Icelandic beers do you sample?

At Session Craft Bar, you sample four different Icelandic beers, or a couple of Icelandic schnapps instead.

Are alcoholic drinks included in the price?

Yes. Beverages and alcoholic beverages are included.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Pickup is offered as a feature, but the stated meeting point is Ingólfur Square.

What is the minimum drinking age?

The minimum drinking age for this tour is 20.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

Yes. The tour operates in all weather conditions, so you should dress appropriately.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your own group participates in the private tour or activity.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.