Beljandi Brugghus

In a village of 140 souls on the east coast of Iceland, the last thing you might expect to find is a craft brewery. Yet here, in a beautifully renovated former slaughterhouse on the edge of Breiddalsvík, Beljandi Brugghus has been quietly producing some of Iceland's most interesting beers since 2017.

The Brewery

Beljandi -- the name means "roaring" or "bellowing" in Icelandic, a reference to the nearby rivers -- is the kind of passion project that could only exist in Iceland. The founders converted the old slaughterhouse into a working brewery, preserving much of the building's industrial character while creating a taproom that is both atmospheric and welcoming.

The brewing operation is small and intentionally so. Four to five beers are typically available, brewed with local ingredients including glacial water from the surrounding mountains and Icelandic herbs foraged from the area. The result is beer with a genuine sense of place -- something that tastes of where it was made.

The Beers

The range typically spans from a crisp, easy-drinking lager through hoppy pale ales to a rich, dark stout. Each beer has personality. The pale ale, brewed with local angelica, has an herbal complexity that sets it apart from standard craft offerings. The stout, made with Icelandic chocolate malt and a touch of coffee, is warming and full-bodied -- perfect for cold East Iceland evenings.

Quality is consistently high. These are well-made beers with proper attention to ingredients and process, and they compare favourably with the better-known Reykjavik craft breweries.

The Experience

Drinking in the taproom is an experience in itself. The raw industrial bones of the building -- concrete floors, exposed steel, high ceilings -- create an atmosphere that feels both rugged and convivial. On summer evenings, with the long Icelandic light streaming through the windows and locals and travellers mingling at the bar, it is one of the most enjoyable drinking spots in eastern Iceland.

Getting There

Breiddalsvík sits on Route 1 between Egilsstadir and Hofn, making it a natural stop for anyone driving the Ring Road. The village itself is worth a brief exploration -- the surrounding Breiddalur valley is stunningly beautiful, with mountains rising sharply on all sides. A beer at Beljandi is the perfect way to end a day of driving through this dramatic landscape.