Expected the new whale-beer to be criticized

One of the owners of the brewery  Steðji says it is to be expected that Hvalur 2, a new Thorri beer of the brewery, would be criticized.  However, he says that there is a lot of interest. Smoked testicles from fin whales are put into the beer for flavoring.

"We were quite prepared for some coverage and also some criticism. We were quite prepared for that. We expected that," Dagbjartur Arilíusarson says.



"All this coverage abroad has contributed to a lot of inquiries from abroad. We could actually sell individuals abroad all the beer if we wanted to", he says, adding that the beer will be more or less sold to Vínbúðin. "Then we consequently make a decision whether or not we continue with this or not."

See also: "Icelandic seasonal beer from whales' testicles"

Is it then possible that Hvalur 2 will be available throughout the year? "It is at least possible if the demand will be as it purports to be, then we need at least to consider what we will do," Dagbjartur says.

It may be possible to look at foreign markets to more extent than before. "Our position today makes us consider any possible markets and therefore we need to carefully consider whether we continue doing this or not," he says. "It depands a bit on a steady market abroad for this beer, but there is a huge interest and we've received a great deal of orders online and elsewhere."

Dagbjartur says that the whale beer is made in line with Thorri, not only for a promotional purpose. "First and foremost, this is done for the Icelandic Thorri and I've said that to media abroad, using the opportunity to introduce the Icelandic Thorri to people," he says.

Dagbjartur is much of a Thorri person and eats anything available at that time. "I was born in the countryside and I'm much of a Thorri person, eat anything that is brought on the table," he says.