Skál!
Siggi Konn with Kaldi’s first beer straight from the tank - Photo from Kaldi’s instagram
There are a few Icelandic words every traveller learns quickly.
“Jökull.”
“Foss.”
And then — the one that matters most after a long day of exploring — Skál.
If you spend even one evening in Iceland, you’ll hear it. At a bar in Akureyri. Around a dinner table. In a geothermal pool at sunset. In a storm. In celebration. In comfort.
Skál.
But this small word carries far more weight than a simple “cheers.”
What Does “Skál” Actually Mean?
“Skál” (pronounced skaul) is the Icelandic word for cheers.
Historically, the word comes from the Old Norse skál, meaning bowl. Vikings would drink from shared bowls during feasts and ceremonies, raising them together in unity. When they lifted the bowl, they declared it — Skál.
Today, the bowl may be a craft beer glass or a crystal wine stem, but the sentiment remains the same:
Connection. Camaraderie. A shared moment.
When Icelanders say Skál, they are not simply acknowledging a drink. They are acknowledging each other.
The Curious Case of Beer Being Illegal (Until 1989)
Here’s a twist worthy of a Nordic saga:
Beer was banned in Iceland for most of the 20th century.
Yes — until March 1st, 1989, strong beer (over 2.25% alcohol) was illegal.
Why?
In 1915, Iceland voted to prohibit alcohol. Wine and spirits were gradually re-legalised over time due to trade pressure (particularly from Spain and Portugal, who were quite keen on selling their wines), but beer remained forbidden — largely because it was associated with Danish influence during Iceland’s time under Danish rule.
Beer became oddly symbolic.
So for decades, Icelanders could legally drink vodka — but not a proper pint.
When the ban was finally lifted in 1989, March 1st became Beer Day (Bjórdagurinn). And one can only imagine how loudly the nation said:
Skál.
The Rise of Icelandic Craft Beer
Fast forward to today, and Iceland has developed a vibrant, fiercely independent craft beer culture.
Small breweries dot the country, producing everything from crisp pilsners to experimental Arctic ales brewed with local ingredients.
And if you’re staying with us in North Iceland, one name deserves special attention:
Kaldi Brewery
Located in the tiny village of Ársskógsandur, just a short drive from Akureyri, Kaldi was Iceland’s first microbrewery of the modern era. Founded in 2006, it helped spark the craft beer renaissance across the country.
Their philosophy is beautifully simple:
Pure Icelandic water
Traditional Czech brewing methods
No shortcuts
The result? Clean, crisp, characterful beer that feels perfectly suited to the northern landscape.
A visit to Kaldi is part tasting, part pilgrimage. You stand in a small coastal village, snow on the mountains, sea air in your lungs, glass in hand — and someone inevitably says it:
Skál.
Why Skál Means More Here
In Iceland, the landscape is dramatic. The winters are long. The weather has a personality of its own.
Community matters.
When Icelanders gather — whether in a cosy bar in Akureyri, a fishing cabin by the fjord, or around a kitchen table — Skál becomes a small but powerful ritual. It marks the moment. It warms the room. It signals, we are here together.
You don’t need to be Icelandic to feel it.
All you need is a glass, good company, and the willingness to say it properly.
Raise it.
Look someone in the eye.
And say it with conviction:
Skál.
If you find yourself at Hotel Akureyri after a day of waterfalls, whales, or winter storms, we suggest continuing the tradition in our bar — perhaps with a local craft beer in hand.
After all, no Northern adventure is complete without at least one heartfelt:
Skál.
