I have read many articles on the internet about the best beers in Iceland or the most popular ones. Reading these as a local, an Icelander in 2023, they all seem to be extremely wrong or just plain guesses. Most of these have been written by professional travel bloggers or content creators hired by travel companies to improve their SEO.
So here is an attempt to write an informed article, based on facts and statistics.
In short, this is the list. Click on one for more information
So the question is
„What are most popular Icelandic beers“
A definitive answer I do not have. The main statistic I will be looking at is litres sold per year by the state wine monopoly a.k.a Vínbúðin, a.k.a ÁTVR. For more info, click here for more 2022 statistics.
As Vínbúðin is the only legal retail seller of alcohol in Iceland, their data should give us a good indication of what truly are most sold beers in Iceland. The data doesn‘t include the number of litres of beer they export, sell to restaurants and bars, or the duty-free shop.
As in most countries, if not all, Lager beer is the most popular type of beer in Iceland. The wine monopoly (Vínbúðin) sold in the year 2022 a total of 17,449,966 litres of Lager beers. The 10 highest-grossing beers consisted of 41% of that figure (up from 37% in 2021). To put that in perspective, another category the wine monopoly has is „Ales and other types of beer“. The total litres sold in that category was only 1,160,545 liters which is barely 7% of lager beers sold in Iceland.
Iceland is no different from other countries in that the beer market is controlled by very few companies and I would not be surprised that the global beer market will be controlled by 2 or 3 countries in the near future. Dylan Roach wrote that back in 2016, 5 beer makers own more than 50% of the world‘s beer. Now 7 years later the market is most likely even more consolidated.
The Icelandic beer market reflects this trend, the 10 most sold beers in the wine monopoly are sold by 3 companies. The biggest being Ölgerðin ehf and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, followed by Dista ehf.
The Icelandic beer market is in general controlled by Ölgerðin ehf and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, who control the soft drink market as well. Incidentally one sells Pepsi and the other one Coca-Cola. The battle between Coca-Cola and Pepsi is reflected in the battle between the Egils brand and the Viking brand. Pepsi is winning.
1. Gull Lite. 4.4%, 50 cl
Translated to English "Golden lite". Icelanders seem to want to drink more but ingest fewer calories. American-Style Low-Carbohydrate Light Lagers are on the rise and taking some of the top spots in Iceland. Also being a Vegan and gluten-free beer it contains only 145 calories per 500 ml beer as opposed to the 238 calories of the runner-up Viking Gylltur. In 2006, it won the Gold medal in its category at the world beer cup
Where is Egils lite available in Iceland?
In the wine monopoly, duty-free, various bars and restaurants. If the restaurant or bar carries Pepsi it most likely will carry the Gull lite
Style: American-Style Low-Carbohydrate Light Lager
Brewery: Ölgerðin ehf a.k.a Brewery Egill Skallagrímsson
Size: 500 ml (17 oz)
The following is, as of April 2023
Prices:
FROM THE STORE 409 kr / 3.00 $ / 2.73 €
FROM A BAR OR RESTAURANT: Great price - 1200 kr / 8.80 $ / 8.00 €
Normal price - 1400 kr / 10.31 $ / 10.00 €
Rip-off price - 1500 kr / 11.00 $ / 9.34 €
* Most places have started serving 400 ml instead of 500 ml, so keep that in mind
* These are not happy hour prices, they are normally 30% lower or more.
Reviews
2.75 out of 5 with 1432 unique ratings
2.28 out of 5 with 9 ratings
2. Víking Gylltur, 5.6 %, 50 cl
Translated to English "Golden Viking". Originally made by Viking Brewery, which today is owned by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners. In 2021 the beer won the Gold medal in the category of international style pilsner at the European beer challenge. Had the nr.1 spot in Iceland for many years until 2022 with the changing drinking habits of the Icelandic people.
Where is Viking Gylltur available in Iceland?
In the wine monopoly, duty-free, various bars and restaurants. If the restaurant or bar carries Coca-cola it most likely will carry the Viking brand. More popular in the north of Iceland as the Viking brand comes from Akureyri.
Style: International lager
Brewery: Coca-Cola Europacific Partners a.k.a Viking brugghús
Size: 500 ml (17 oz)
The following is, as of April 2023
Price of the beer in Iceland:
FROM THE STORE:
FROM A BAR OR RESTAURANT:
Great price - 1200 kr / 8.80 $ / 8.00 €
Normal price - 1400 kr / 10.31 $ / 10.00 €
Rip-off price - 1500 kr / 11.00 $ / 9.34 €
* Most places have started serving 400 ml instead of 500 ml, so keep that in mind
* These are not happy hour prices, they are normally 30% lower or more.
Reviews as of April 2023:
3.12 out of 5 with 16.388 unique ratings in
69 out of 100 with 47 ratings
3. Gull lite. 4.4%, 33 cl
The same beer as in nr.1, but in a smaller serving size.
The only beer on the list that is not 500 ml. Which tells you how popular the beer and beer style has become in the country.
Where is Gull Lite available in Iceland?
In the wine monopoly, duty-free, various bars and restaurants. If the restaurant or bar carries Pepsi it is more likely it will carry the Gull Lite
Style: American-Style Low-Carbohydrate Light Lager
Brewery: Ölgerðin ehf a.k.a Brewery Egill Skallagrímsson
Size: 330 ml (11.2 oz)
The following is, as of April 2023
Price of the beer in Iceland:
FROM THE STORE 329 kr / 2.42 $ / 2.19 €
FROM A BAR OR RESTAURANT:
When the bars and restaurants started to serve 400 ml instead of 500 ml, many of them have seized to serve beers in 33 cl, which used to be the norm. Being so close in size as well as the hassle to keep an extra set of glasses is why this serving size is fading away in bars.
FROM THE DUTY FREE, Departure store (at the airport)
Only available as a 12-pack at 2990 kr, which brings the price per unit to
Reviews
2.75 out of 5 with 1432 unique ratings
2.28 out of 5 with 9 ratings
4. Boli Premium, 5.6 %, 50 cl
Translated to English "Bull Premium". Although the trend and tastes
of the Icelandic people are moving towards lower calorie and lower alcoholic beers, they still drink mostly stronger types of lagers. Viking Gylltur was for many years the best-selling beer in Iceland, and Boli premium is the answer of Ölgerðin ehf (the other beer giant in Iceland) to Viking Gylltur. Similar to having a preference for Pepsi or a preference for Coke, Icelanders have a preference for Boli or Víking.
Where is Boli Premium available in Iceland?
In the wine monopoly, duty-free, various bars and restaurants. If the restaurant or bar carries Pepsi it is more likely it will carry the Boli Premium
Style: International lager
Brewery: Ölgerðin ehf a.k.a Brewery Egill Skallagrímsson
Size: 500 ml (17 oz)
The following is, as of April 2023
FROM THE STORE 479 kr / 3.53 $ / 3.19 €
FROM A BAR OR RESTAURANT:
Great price - 1200 kr / 8.80 $ / 8.00 €
Normal price - 1400 kr / 10.31 $ / 10.00 €
Rip-off price - 1500 kr / 11.00 $ / 9.34 €
* Most places have started serving 400 ml instead of 500 ml, so keep that in mind
* These are not happy hour prices, they are normally 30% lower or more.
Reviews
3.14 out of 5 with 10.915 unique ratings in
76 out of 100 with 20 ratings
5. Egils Gull, 5.0 %, 50 cl
Translated to English "The gold of Egill (a character from the sagas)". This is the beer that
most visitors of Iceland (non-locals) are familiar with. This brand/logo you will see on many bars/restaurant signage when you come to Iceland. In the world of lager beers, this beer is the medium, the average, the most normal. Compared to Boli Premium (the strong, 5.6%), and Gull Lite (the weak, 4.4%) this one stays in the middle with a comfortable 5% of ABV. Also won an award, silver, at the world beer cup in 2008.
Where is Egils Gull available in Iceland?
In the wine monopoly, duty-free, various bars and restaurants. If the restaurant or bar carries Pepsi it is almost certain it will carry Egils Gull.
Style: International lager
Brewery: Ölgerðin ehf a.k.a Brewery Egill Skallagrímsson
Size: 500 ml (17 oz)
The following is, as of April 2023
FROM THE STORE 479 kr / 3.53 $ / 3.19 €
FROM A BAR OR RESTAURANT:
Great price - 1200 kr / 8.80 $ / 8.00 €
Normal price - 1400 kr / 10.31 $ / 10.00 €
Rip-off price - 1500 kr / 11.00 $ / 9.34 €
* Egils Gull on tap has a different ABV than a can. On tap, it is 4.7%
* Most places have started serving 400 ml instead of 500 ml, so keep that in mind
* These are not happy hour prices, they are normally 30% lower or more, but time restricted
Reviews
3.02 out of 5 with 26.260 unique ratings in
67 out of 100 with 95 ratings
6. Tuborg Grön, 4.5 %, 50 cl
Translated to Iceland "Tuborg Green". Having strong cultural ties to
Denmark, Danish beer is, and has always been popular with the Icelandic people. The Danish beer market, is, like Iceland, dominated by two Brands. Tuborg & Carlsberg is equivelent to Ölgerðin ehf & Coca-Cola Europacific Partners. The biggest difference is that Carlsberg has owned Tuborg since 1970 and has a monopoly in the Danish market through the Carlsberg group, whereas, Iceland still has 2 competing companies with 2 competing brands. Tuborg Grön is produced in Iceland, with a license from the Carlsberg group by Ölgerðin ehf. It should have a slightly different taste than its counterpart in Europe due to the softness of Icelandic water. Also known as one of the cheapest beers in Iceland.
Where is Tuborg Grön available in Iceland?
In the wine monopoly, duty-free, various bars and restaurants. If the restaurant or bar carries Pepsi they might carry Tuborg Grön
Style: International lager
Brewery: Ölgerðin ehf a.k.a Brewery Egill Skallagrímsson
Size: 500 ml (17 oz)
The following is, as of April 2023
FROM THE STORE 355 kr / 2.61 $ /2.37 €
FROM A BAR OR RESTAURANT:
Great price - 1200 kr / 8.80 $ / 8.00 €
Normal price - 1400 kr / 10.31 $ / 10.00 €
Rip-off price - 1500 kr / 11.00 $ / 9.34 €
* Most places have started serving 400 ml instead of 500 ml, so keep that in mind
* These are not happy hour prices, they are normally 30% lower or more, but time restricted
Reviews
2.84 out of 5 with 130.754 unique ratings in
65 out of 100 with 320 ratings
7. Tuborg Classic, 4.6 %, 50 cl
One of the most popular beers on tap in Iceland. Why, you might ask?
Because it has a slightly darker color than a normal lager beer. Bars and Restaurants contracted to Ölgerðin ehf, with little to no beer ambition will usually pair Egils Gull & Tuborg Classic as their beer on-tap offerings. Usually served in large footed glassware
See more info about producer Tuborg @ Tuborg Grön
Where is Tuborg Classic available in Iceland?
In the wine monopoly, duty-free, various bars and restaurants. If the restaurant or bar carries Pepsi they might carry Tuborg Classic
Style: International lager (Amber/Vienna)
Brewery: Ölgerðin ehf a.k.a Brewery Egill Skallagrímsson
Size: 500 ml (17 oz)
The following is, as of April 2023
FROM THE STORE
FROM A BAR OR RESTAURANT:
Great price - 1200 kr / 8.80 $ / 8.00 €
Normal price - 1400 kr / 10.31 $ / 10.00 €
Rip-off price - 1500 kr / 11.00 $ / 9.34 €
* Most places have started serving 400 ml instead of 500 ml, so keep that in mind
* These are not happy hour prices, they are normally 30% lower or more, but time restricted
Reviews
3.07 out of 5 with 58.047 unique ratings in
72 out of 100 with 70 ratings
8. Faxe Premium, 4.6 %, 50 cl
The only beer on the list that is not brewed in Iceland and not sold by
the giants Ölgerðin ehf & Coca-Cola Europacific Partners.
Faxe is a Danish brewery that is owned by the Danish brewing & beverage company Royal Unibrew. Also, the only beer is not in any bars or restaurants. The beer that we get must be specially brewed for the Icelandic market because in Denmark it is normally 5% in ABV.
Where is Faxe Premium available in Iceland?
In the wine monopoly.
Style: International lager
Brewery: Faxe bryggeri, imported by Dista ehf.
Size: 500 ml (17 oz)
The following is, as of April 2023
FROM THE STORE
FROM A BAR OR RESTAURANT:
Great price - 1200 kr / 8.80 $ / 8.00 €
Normal price - 1400 kr / 10.31 $ / 10.00 €
Rip-off price - 1500 kr / 11.00 $ / 9.34 €
* Most places have started serving 400 ml instead of 500 ml, so keep that in mind
* These are not happy hour prices, they are normally 30% lower or more, but time restricted
Reviews
2.98 out of 5 with 75.620 unique ratings in
68 out of 100 with 224 ratings
9. Víking Lite, 4.4 %, 50 cl
With the success of Gull lite, Viking Brewery had to make its own brand.
Recently advertised with a "new recipe", indicating that the old recipe was lacking, Viking Lite is the alternative to the best-selling beer Gull Lite. As the underdog trying to catch up, this beer is most often slightly cheaper than its competitor.
Where is Viking Lite available in Iceland?
In the wine monopoly, duty-free, various bars and restaurants. If the restaurant or bar carries Pepsi they might carry Viking lite.
Style: International lager
Brewery: Coca-Cola Europacific Partners a.k.a Viking
Size: 500 ml (17 oz)
The following is, as of April 2023
FROM THE STORE
FROM A BAR OR RESTAURANT:
Great price - 1200 kr / 8.80 $ / 8.00 €
Normal price - 1400 kr / 10.31 $ / 10.00 €
Rip-off price - 1500 kr / 11.00 $ / 9.34 €
* Most places have started serving 400 ml instead of 500 ml, so keep that in mind
* These are not happy hour prices, they are normally 30% lower or more, but time restricted
Reviews
2.71 out of 5 with 3.728 ratings in
72 out of 100 with 14 ratings
10. Víking Lager, 4.4 %, 50 cl
According to Viking Brewery this beer should always be the cheapest
Icelandic lager beer. I would say it competes with Tuborg grön, both in taste and quality. Mostly sold in packs of 10 but rarely you see this beer in bars or restaurants.
Where is Viking Lite available in Iceland?
In the wine monopoly, duty-free, various bars and restaurants. If the restaurant or bar carries Pepsi they might carry Viking lite.
Style: International lager
Brewery: Coca-Cola Europacific Partners a.k.a Viking
Size: 500 ml (17 oz)
The following is, as of April 2023
FROM THE STORE
FROM A BAR OR RESTAURANT:
Great price - 1200 kr / 8.80 $ / 8.00 €
Normal price - 1400 kr / 10.31 $ / 10.00 €
Rip-off price - 1500 kr / 11.00 $ / 9.34 €
* Most places have started serving 400 ml instead of 500 ml, so keep that in mind
* These are not happy hour prices, they are normally 30% lower or more, but time restricted
Reviews
2.71 out of 5 with 3.728 ratings in
72 out of 100 with 14 ratings
Most popular Icelandic beers : Conclusion
You could put these beers into 3 subcategories.
High-alcohol lager beers. Beers that are five-point something in alcohol.
Low carb, gluten-free lager beers and are less than four point something in alcohol.
Normal lager beers. Lager beers that are 4.5 to 5% in ABV.
In general, these are all very similar beers, they have very little difference in taste. None of them is reviewed much higher than others. Víking beers are brewed in the north, while Egils beers are brewed in the south. Most of them are sold by one of 2 huge companies(for Iceland). One is Icelandic owned and does not export the profits out of the country, and the other one isn't.
Would I say these are local beers?
Not really,
Yes, they are made in Iceland but much like US-made Bud Light is not considered to be a local-beer in Milwaukee.
They are definitely domestic beers. Much like Heineken is a domestic beer of the Netherlands. But I am pretty sure that if you are located in Rotterdam, nobody would point at Heineken as a local beer in Rotterdam.
There are however more than 20 breweries located all around Iceland, that I would argue are local beers. They have not been able to establish themselves as local producers. There are many reasons for this, a few big ones being the following.
Young beer culture in Iceland
Difficult conditions for new products to enter the Icelandic state monopoly
The dominance of the big 2 in the market
Size of market
Importance of marketing in the world of beer
In the end, people normally just buy the brand that has the most relevant marketing to them personally and is most easily available to them.
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