THE TOP 5 EASTER BEERS OF 2023

Iceland’s beer scene has been flourishing in recent years. While the expanding variety is evident on the shelves of the local Vínbúð shops year-round, it really jumps out at you at those times of the year when craft brewers mix up something special for the thirsty masses.

One of those times is Easter. Alcohol stores only stock seasonal Easter beers for ca. five weeks –don’t ask us why, only the beer gods know. They hit the shelves March 10 this year to give hop enthusiasts time to try all the páskabjór available before the holiday rolls around.

Here are five Easter beers we’ll be sipping this season.

JÚDAS QUADRUPEL (BORG)

Do you want to really get into the Easter spirit? Júdas won‘t betray you. At a whopping 10.5% alc, this Belgian-style Ale packs a punch. Júdas greets you with a kiss of rock candy and caramel, concealing in his hand a sly and malty aroma of ripe fruit, plums and blackberries.

PÁSKA TUMI (GÆÐINGUR)

PÁSKA BJÓR STOUT (THE BROTHERS BREWERY)

Over the past few years, the Westman Islands-based brewing compay The Brothers Brewery has grown into an Icelandic favourite. Their beers are perfectly simple –not a lot of thrills but crafted with care. Their Easter beer is no different. Simply named Easter Beer Stout, this dark beer is roasted with coffee, giving it a uniquely bittersweet taste. Crack one open after gobbling up the roasted lamb.

TVEIR VINIR OG ANNAR Í PÁSKUM (VÍKING BRUGGHÚS)

The Coca-Cola of Icelandic breweries (in that you can find it everywhere and it’s literally merged with the beverage giant in Europe), Víking Brugghús has released Tveir Vinir og Annar í Páskum to celebrate the season. The IPA promises to bring your taste buds on an Easter vacation to Florida, with hints of pineapple, passionfruit and mango, then drag you right back to Iceland with its piney undertones. Sounds like a real trip.

Another Easter IPA is available through craft brewery pioneers Gæðingur. Tumi is one of their most popular beers year-round. But it gets a face-lift for Easter, with some added cherry and barberry flavour to go with the classic cloudy and bitter taste.

PÁSKAÁLFUR (ÁLFUR BRUGGHÚS)

Make way for the Easter Elf! Nanobrewery Álfur Brugghús is staying on brand (álfur translates to ‘elf’) with its Easter Elf lager. The Easter Elf on the label looks to be a curmudgeonly little fella with hop flower beard, but the beer itself is a jovial Vienna lager with a characteristic malty sweetness. This is the beer we’ll be sipping while unwinding after work and easing into the long Easter weekend.

WHERE TO GET THESE ADULT EASTER TREATS?

Alcohol is only sold in the state-run Vínbúð in Iceland, or in licensed restaurants or bars. You should be able to find all the beers we’ve listed in any Vínbúð outlet, but if you want to try an Easter beer while hitting the town, just ask the waiter or bartender if they have any. Skál!