EP-120 Hinrik Carls Ellertsson + Steinn Stefansson

Despite what some politicians may rally against, there is plenty of value
of what a globalized society can bring. The different perspectives and
experiences that flow from one border to the next has created a
connectivity that enhance ideas the world over. It may come as no surprise,
that also lends itself to how people from different countries use hops and
malt, too.

On assignment for GBH, I traveled in February to Reykjavik, Iceland with
the goal of learning more about what that country’s beer scene is and what
it offers drinkers a world apart from my bubble stateside. It’s easy to get
caught up in an almost orthodox point of view of the global beer industry,
where the Old World - countries like England, Belgium or Germany - and the
New World - the United States - are the areas we most believe are worth our
attention. But the flip side of that is the influence and cultural cache
these places have, and how they’re helping to shape the way others think
about and make beer.

At KEX Hostel in downtown Reykjavik, I met with Hinrik Carl Ellertsson and
Steinn Stefansson to talk about their small-time gypsy brewing operation
and popular interests in the Iceland beer scene, which, no surprise, seem
to be trending toward the hoppy side of things as Scandinavians look to the
U.S. for inspiration. With visitors from around the world coming to Iceland
for an annual beer festival, we found a spot in the shared space of the
hostel where Hinrik and Steinn described what it’s like to work in a young
industry seeking inspiration from today’s biggest names in beer. Some that
will sound awfully familiar to American beer lovers.