Segull 67 Brewery

Segull 67 brewery is located in the picturesque town of Siglufjörður, affectionately known as Sigló. I booked a private tour since I had a short window of opportunity during my visit and business hours are limited. It was a dense 60 minutes filled with history, family ties, alcohol legalities, and some of the best craft beer I’ve sampled.

When I arrived at the brewery, the door was locked. I peered inside and gave the door handle another jiggle before giving up. As I started to walk away, the door opened and a man in a white lab coat and hair net peered out. It was Marteinn, the owner. It was clear he had been preoccupied with brew-related activities. (I would soon learn the brewery was a three-man show). I stepped into the brewery and was immediately struck by the inviting atmosphere; a comfy beer lounge with a rustic feel and a nautical twist, exuding vibrant colors that had so far permeated my trip to Iceland.

Beer lounge at the entrance of the brewery

Appearing to catch his breath, Marteinn immediately grabbed a glass and settled me in with a generous sample of the original Segull 67 beer, an amber lager. What I was about to learn added to the charm and authenticity to this already unique experience. The building we were in was erected in 1934 and functioned as a fish processing plant until the late 1980s. Segull 67 opened in 2015 and is family-owned. Marteinn is the entrepreneur and his father and grandmother are co-owners. As Marteinn playfully puts it, he was able to “talk them into it.”

The name of the brewery itself communicates care, belonging, and the importance of family. Segull translates into magnet and the logo in the direction of north. This was chosen as a way to reassure that one can always find their way. The number 67 is significant for Marteinn’s family. This number appeared throughout generations and manifested in various forms related to professional functions and personal family details.

Various styles of and seasonal Segull 67 beers in bottles and cans

Marteinn led me towards the brewing area in the back where we paused at a stainless steel fermentation tank for a fresh pour of their Sigló IPA. We talked about the different styles and how the grains he uses for brewing are all imported. Although some grains can be grown locally (and are occasionally used in other Icelandic beers), Marteinn commented that much of the crops are better suited for livestock feed.

Marteinn the owner pouring a fresh Sigló IPA

We then made our way to the back lounge, having walked through a forest of steel pipes and wheel handles leftover from the freezing process of the fish processing plant. In between sips, I learned tidbits about the laws around the sale and consumption of alcohol in Iceland. With the third beer poured and ready to drink – the summer Belgian Wheat – I was surprised to find out that only since 2022 breweries been allowed to sell beer on the premises. I was used to the generous number of breweries back in the US where you can hardly throw a rock in urban areas without hitting a new and trendy brewery offering tastings, food, and expansive lounges where happy beer drinkers can socialize for hours.

Pipes from the previous fish processing plant remain intact adding character to the brewery

I had learned previously, in an attempt to purchase alcohol at a local grocery store, that the government controls the sale of beer and other alcohol, which are sold in Vínbúðins. Most shockingly, beer was illegal in Iceland until 1989. (I would later find out from the shuttle driver on my way from Siglufjörður to Akureyri that “Happy Beer Day” is unofficially celebrated on March 1st in recognition of its legalization.) Marteinn added that businesses are not allowed to advertise the sale of beer unless you’re selling the “0” (non-alcoholic) type. His only outlet for advertising is through social media.

Segull 67 Belgian Wheat with painting of Sigló on the back wall and rear lounge to the right

As the tour progressed, their seasonal Christmas brown ale now in hand, Marteinn proceeded to tell me about the bottling and canning process,. They recently moved towards canning for their new batches and limiting bottled beer to select occasions and brews. We walked by the canning line, which is artfully placed in front of a large, grid-style window with a tantalizing view of the snow-enveloped mountains that appear to stand guard over the town. A bright yellow can with white caught my eye. This was their Easter beer, the can emblazoned with large bunny ears. Admiring the artwork on this and the other colorful cans and bottles, I asked who designed the artwork. Marteinn with modest glee confirmed this was his job as well.

Rear lounge in back of the brewery where special events can be held with furniture including mock dock bar and tree stump pillows

Segull 67 is only sold in Iceland. When I asked Marteinn if he was planning to or interested in selling globally (because selfishly I would love to have access to this beer elsewhere) it seemed he hadn’t given it much serious thought. For one, his brews are unpasteurized, which has a shelf-life of roughly six months. To sell widely, he would likely need to pasteurize it, giving a boost to longevity but possibly compromising the quality and characteristics of the beer.

Consuming my last sample – a floral New England style Hazy IPA – the tour was coming to an end. Feeling full from the wealth of information and generous pours, I couldn’t help but feel that Iceland had quickly made leaps and bounds in the craft beer scene. The brewery is a long-time love of Marteinn who started brewing in his 20s, and it shows through the excellent taste, quality, and artwork. Segull 67 is a must-see for craft beer enthusiasts visiting Iceland. It is well-worth the journey up north, not only for the quality beer, but for the enchanting landscape of Sigló.   

Brewery link

Segull 67 is a must-see for anyone visiting North Iceland and who enjoys craft beer. Hours of operation and tours can be found on their website: https://www.segull67.is/