Einstök Icelandic White Ale is a Belgian-style witbier brewed at the edge of the Arctic Circle, in a town roughly 60 miles from where the Arctic begins. It leans on pure Icelandic glacier water and a classic witbier recipe rather than anything unusual, but that setting is a real part of the story. Here’s what it actually is, how it tastes, and where it fits if you want to try one.
At a Glance
| Brewery | Einstök Ölgerð (Einstök Beer Company), Akureyri, Iceland |
| Style | Witbier (Belgian-style white ale) |
| ABV | 5.2% |
| Key ingredients | Wheat malt, pilsner malt, oats, Bavarian noble hops, coriander, orange peel |
| Where to buy | Available on Saucey (see the box above) |
Why an Icelandic Witbier
Witbier is a Belgian style, traditionally brewed around Hoegaarden with wheat, oats, coriander and orange peel. Einstök takes that recipe and brews it in Akureyri, a town in northern Iceland that sits close enough to the Arctic Circle that the brewery leans on it as a selling point, right down to printing the coordinates (N65°, W18°) on the can.
The actual ingredient list stays close to the classic style: wheat malt and pilsner malt for the base, rolled oats for body, Bavarian noble hops for a light bitterness, and coriander and orange peel added for the traditional witbier spice and citrus note.
What’s genuinely different is the water. Einstök brews with pure Icelandic glacier water, which the brewery credits for the “cool smoothness” in the finish. At 5.2% ABV, it sits in normal witbier territory, a little stronger than a session lager but nowhere near a heavy ale.
“A fresh, crisp, full taste that comes with a smooth, clean finish. You’ll notice a hint of orange at the end that pairs nicely with dishes from around the world.”, Total Wine & More, reviewer notes cited by Einstök
Tasting Notes
BeerAdvocate reviewer notes describe an unfiltered golden yellow pour with light, sustained carbonation and a thin egg-white head. The aroma leans wheat and citrus rather than heavily spiced.
On the palate, expect wheat, black pepper and coriander blending together, finishing light-bodied with gentle carbonation and a citrus edge. It’s consistently rated as an easy, refreshing drink rather than a complex sipper, which fits the “great year-round” positioning VinePair gave it when ranking it among the top seven best white ales.
- Genuinely drinkable year-round, not just a summer wheat beer
- A faithful, well-executed take on classic Belgian witbier, not a novelty gimmick beer
- Pairs well with seafood, poultry and vegetarian dishes according to brewery and retailer notes
- Faint aroma on some pours, per BeerAdvocate reviewer notes, meaning it can taste better than it smells
- Import pricing runs above domestic wheat beers of a similar style
- Not a strong choice if you want a spice-forward, funkier witbier, this one plays it fairly clean
Try These Too
Einstök also brews an Icelandic Arctic Pale Ale and a Toasted Porter using the same glacier-water base, worth a look if the witbier works for you and you want to try the brewery’s other year-round styles. For another benchmark witbier, our guide to session-style beers covers what makes a beer easy-drinking without sacrificing flavor.
FAQs
What kind of beer is Einstök White Ale?
A Belgian-style witbier at 5.2% ABV, brewed with wheat malt, pilsner malt, oats, Bavarian noble hops, coriander and orange peel.
Where is Einstök White Ale brewed?
In Akureyri, northern Iceland, using pure Icelandic glacier water.
What does Einstök White Ale taste like?
Wheat and citrus aroma, with wheat, black pepper and coriander flavor, finishing light-bodied with a citrus edge, per BeerAdvocate reviewer notes.
Where can I buy Einstök White Ale?
It’s available for delivery through Saucey (check the box above for current availability) and at many specialty beer retailers.
