Celebrate Iceland’s Beer Day on March 1

There’s a celebration that takes place in Iceland every year at the beginning of March, and it’s one that makes our visitors quite curious. Beer Day is celebrated on March 1, and it marks the day in 1989 that beer became legal again in Iceland, after a ban that lasted 74 years.

A nationwide referendum in 1908 saw a ban on all alcoholic drinks, which came into effect on January 1, 1915.

Why did Iceland ban beer?

The ban grew out of a mix of politics, temperance ideals, and some interesting logic. The country implemented full prohibition in 1915, but economic pressure from Spain led Iceland to re‑legalize wine in 1922, and spirits followed in 1935. (Fun fact: Iceland depended heavily on exporting fish to Spain, and Spain threatened to stop buying Icelandic fish unless Iceland allowed Spanish wine back into the country.)

Beer stronger than 2.25% alcohol, however, stayed illegal for decades because lawmakers – especially those from rural areas and socialist parties – argued it would be too tempting and accessible for young people, who could be susceptible to drinking in heavy quantities. This created the unusual situation where hard liquor was legal but ordinary beer wasn’t.

The end of the beer ban

The ban was finally lifted in 1989 because public opinion had shifted, the ban had become increasingly impractical to enforce, and Iceland’s growing tourism and cultural openness made the restriction feel outdated. By the late 1980s, most politicians agreed that keeping strong beer illegal while allowing hard liquor made little sense.

On March 1, 1989, Iceland’s government voted to permit the sale of beer, ending 74 years of prohibition and giving Icelanders their first legal pint at home in decades.

Since 1989, there’s been a considerable amount of beer consumed in Iceland, and in the past decade or so, Iceland has begun making its own waves in the art of brewing.

There’s been a huge rise of mcrobreweries across the country, all busy crafting and championing new Icelandic ales. 

There are more breweries in Iceland, particularly in the greater Reykjavík area. For a list, check out the Independent Craft Brewers of Iceland page. The map is a little dated, but it’s a good indicator of the scope of brewing across the country.

RVK Brewing Company Fruity sours share space with easy-drinking lagers and hazy, hoppy IPAs. Visit the popular Tap Room in the capital.

Dokkan Brugghús The first brewery in the Westfjords, and possibly the most remote in Iceland. 

Segull 67 Brewery Fresh beer, fishing history, and views of Siglufjörður. Tours and tastings also available.

Bruggsmiðjan Kaldi Soak in a beer spa at the country’s oldest craft brewery. 

Húsavík Öl Expect creative saisons made with birch, rhubarb, juniper, or mint. 

KHB Brugghús Deep in the Eastfjords, KHB brews beer and distils small-batch gin and landi (Icelandic moonshine).

Austri Brugghús Creates beers using local produce including wasabi, barley, and lemon balm.

Beljandi Brugghús Approachable beers and a rustic vibe inside a former slaughterhouse in the east. 

Smiðjan Brugghús South-coast beers in a great setting in Vík. Try the pork ribs cooked in Icelandic stout. 

The Brothers Brewery Watch for puffins on the ferry ride to this island brewery in Vestmannaeyjar. 

Ölvisholt Brewery Don’t miss the chance to try Lava, a smoked imperial stout. 

Ölverk Pizza and Brewery Pair a tasty ale with the surprisingly delicious banana pizza. 

Ölverk also hosts the Ölverk Beer Festival in Hveragerði in October. An old plant greenhouse is converted in a festival venue for a weekend that celebrates Iceland’s beer scene (with special international guests, too).

The legal drinking age for buying and consuming alcohol in Iceland is 20 years old.

Restaurants, cafes, bars, and clubs across the country serve beer, wine, and spirits. Breweries themselves can also sell their products.

Supermarkets sell low-alcohol beer, but government-run Vínbúðin is the only retailer in Iceland allowed to sell alcoholic beverages above 2.25% ABV (alcohol by volume). You’ll find the locations and opening hours on Vínbuðin stores on the website. It’s worth noting that Vínbuðin stores are closed on Sundays, and most close around 6pm. Outside of the capital area, some stores have very restricted opening hours. It’s worth planning ahead if you plan to enjoy some wine or beer as you travel.

How to save money

If you enjoy a drink, you might suffer sticker shock in Iceland! Bring alcohol from home (in your checked baggage), or follow the locals’ lead and stock up at the duty-free store when you arrive at Keflavík airport.

Make use of the happy hours in various bars across Reykjavík and around the country. Most bars have a designated happy hour period when drinks are offered at a discount, usually in the early evening. There are listings websites that can guide you to the best deals in the capital, such as Visitor’s Guide or What’s on Reykjavík. The print version of the Reykjavík Grapevine (pick it up around town) lists happy hours, and the app Barhopp is a good one for this information, too.