Icelandic winter beer, made from whale testicles.
Many brewers make special seasonal beers. However few will go as far as the latest trend in Iceland. The brewery Steðji in the town Borgarfjörður made a special winter beer from smoked whale testicles. This beer that goes by the name Hvalur 2 contains 5 percent alcohol and is made after a traditional Icelandic recipe. So maybe we were wrong when we said that Iceland is a bad destination for alcohol tourism. Real daredevils might just love it.
Iceland is one of the few countries that still hunts for whales. At least it’s good to hear that every piece of these majestic creatures is used for something. To prepare whale testicles in the traditional Icelandic way they are first salted and then smoked. Per brewing at least one testicle is used according to Dagbjartur Arilíusson, owner of the Steðji brewery. “We wanted to make a tasty, quality winter beer that really caught the atmosphere of the winter. Smoked testes really give this authentic taste.”
It’s not the first time that an Icelandic winter beer raised some eyebrows abroad. Last year this season Steðji came with a special beer made from whale stomach and other organs. At first the beer was even prohibited in Iceland itself, because it contained also contained guts. But after a few days Sigurður Ingi Jóhannsson, minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, gave the green light.
For the fans of alcoholic beverages that contain meat, the new whale beer is available in stores in Iceland from January 23rd.
Micky Bumbar
Hmm interesting. I brew my own wine and have recipes for making booze out of just about everything under the sun but this is a new one on me…
LikeLiked by 1 person
True that…. I do have to admit that I am quite curious. Just not sure if I wanna go to Iceland for it.
LikeLike
It’s a long way for a strange beer. I will keep my eyes open locally, maybe my local shop will start stocking it. Stranger things have happened!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep… Well maybe we can order through internet too.
LikeLike
Good point. The marvels of modern living… Google is my friend, especially where bollock-beer is concerned haha
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha indeed it is! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
OH….did the consumer of the testes beer feel more masculine, I wonder?
This reminds me of the worm in mezcal…and the goat gonads implants from the thirties..all encouraged for the sake of virility.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahaha good question. Well the beers are not for sale until January 23rd but if there’s a major baby boom in Iceland in October/November this year, we know the reason! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope they dont birth extra large babies…ouch! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hahahaha now I understand why Scandinavians are so tall. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Linie Aquavit, the Norwegian drink that gets it’s unique taste from crossing the equator | Lords of the Drinks
Pingback: Sviðasulta, the traditional Icelandic hangover cure made from sheep’s head | Lords of the Drinks
Pingback: 10 terrible beers that are way too popular and pollute the international beer scene | Lords of the Drinks
Tell Stedji not to make beer from whale testicles, whale bones or any other whale bits! http://www.thepetitionsite.com/en-gb/232/744/255/tell-stedji-not-to-make-beer-made-of-whale-testicles-bones-or-anything-else/
LikeLike
Well why would you do that? I’m not pro whale hunting, but since animals are killed for their meat anyway, better use all parts, including testicles and bones.
Cheers,
Micky
LikeLike