Pilsner beer brands
Today, they even have a bar, called Kaldi, where you can get Blonde on tap, as well as many of their other unique and delicious labels.īruggsmiðjan Kaldi is a notable brewery in the sense that it does not add any sugar or preservatives to any of its beers. Its popularity allowed the craft supplier to flourish, and produce many other brands. Kaldi Blonde was the first beer produced by the brewery Bruggsmiðjan Kaldi, which was formed in 2006. At 5% proof, it is a great ‘after-work’ beer at the bottom of the bottle, you are sure to be refreshed with the weight of the day off your shoulders. Brewed in the Pilsner tradition and inspired by Czech lager, it is a coppery, golden colour, with a smooth texture and tantalising, bitter taste from the roasted malt. Kaldi Blonde is the most popular bottled beer in Iceland, and it is little wonder why. Úlfur is 5.9% proof, but as it is usually served in bottle-form for a higher price than the beers on tap, this brew is better for the cultured drinker seeking refreshment, rather than the party-goer looking to forget a great night. Úlfur is just one of dozens of beers produced by Borg Brugghús, a craft brewery that started delighting the palates of Icelanders in 2010 and now has its own bar. It is available in Vinbuðin, in bottles at many bars, and occasionally on tap in a few, such as Slippbarinn. Though a few find its bitter aftertaste conflicts with its sweetness, it is still very popular. It has a vivid golden colour, a frothy head, and a strong, sweet aroma. Úlfur, which translates to ‘Wolf’, is an Indian Pale Ale that is renowned for its hoppy taste, with active elements of grapefruit and pine. If you are into craft beers only and want to experiment with what is on offer, be sure to also check out this guide to the Best Bars for Craft Beer in Reykjavík. To make this list, the beer has to be brewed in Iceland by Icelandic residents, to make sure you are getting an authentic taste of this quirky nation. I have, therefore, compiled the following list to guide you through a hazy evening of drinking the best beer the country has to offer. To do so, however, would rob yourself of a unique taste of Icelandic ingenuity. Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Danninja. From modest beginnings, a culture of craft breweries blossomed into the giant it is today.īut what is the best beer out there? With so many brands on tap and on the shelves (although, sadly, these shelves refer only to those in government-run alcohol shops called Vinbuðin, and of course those at the airport), you could be forgiven for overlooking the Icelandic options and going for a safe, internationally-known choice such as Stella. The first beer was served at the bar Gaukurinn, which today is a premiere venue for live events, particularly heavy metal and drag shows.Īfter initially getting over the excitement of being able to enjoy a nice cold lager or warm ale, however, Icelanders decided that it was not just economical to start brewing their own beverages this was also a way by which they could bottle and market their national identity. In 1989, the government finally came around to the idea of legalising the sweet nectar, starting to value the freedom to choose your beverage over antiquated stereotypes of the traditional beer drinker, and the nation rejoiced.
The reason it took so much longer for beer to finally be legal again was the belief that it fed into loutish, anti-social behaviour.Īs a Brit who has been dragged to several football games, I reluctantly can concede I understand regardless, most Icelanders grew to share my opinion that such a ban was nothing short of appalling. Initially, this was part of a complete prohibition throughout the country wine and spirits, however, were decriminalised within two decades. It is almost inconceivable, therefore, that beer has only been legal in Iceland for around three decades it was banned for nearly a century, from 1915 to 1989. It seems that half of the country is invested in the craft-beer mania, with new labels and microbreweries emerging all the time. Photo from Locally Hosted Reykjavik Beer & Food Tour at the Old Harbor