Iceland experienced a unique and prolonged period of prohibition, banning beer for 74 years from 1915 to 1989. This was part of a broader temperance movement influenced by both domestic politics and international trade. The initial ban covered all alcoholic beverages, but over time, restrictions were eased for wine and spirits, while beer remained illegal due to concerns over excessive drinking. The ban finally ended on March 1, 1989, a date now celebrated annually as Beer Day in Iceland. The article explores the political and cultural factors behind the prohibition and how its end shaped Iceland‘s drinking culture.
