Cake & Ice Creams

The Golden Circle is another one of those things that most tourists do when in Iceland.  It consists of three main stops and it has bothered me all day that it has been made into a circle because it really doesn’t need to be…I guess it’s more scenic going back a different way than you came but, really? Who made this a circle?!

The first stop on the Golden Circle is Thingvellir, Iceland’s most important historical site (home of their Parliament and social center from 930 to 1500) and national park.  Thingvellir lies within a rift valley caused by the separating of the American and European tectonic plates.  Also in the park is Thingvallavatn, Iceland’s largest lake.

The next main attraction is Geysir, which all other geysers around the world are named.  It used to gush water out, like a geyser should.  But thanks to tourists (probably Americans) who thought it’d be cool to throw rocks in it in attempt to set it off, it only erupts once or twice a day.  We did not leave empty handed though as Strokkur erupts every few minutes and there were other bubbly streams and steam vents scattered around the park.  Gullfoss, Iceland’s most famous waterfall was our final attraction on the Golden Circle.  It is massive in size and the sound of the falls was impressive.

That wasn’t enough for us.  We wanted a reason to make a circle out of this trip!  So, Ambrose found us a brewery!  We were all curious because all of the beers we’ve seen here are about 2% alcohol and Olvisholt Brugghus claimed to brew lagers.  We were also curious because the guide said “located just outside of Selfoss and is situated in old outhouses on the farm Olvisholt.  Um, 1. That was the extent of the directions and 2. outhouses?

Craving decent beer we all assumed JaSON would sniff it out.  KMJ and her mad navigation skills was all we needed though.  Once there, the guy was a little frightened by six Americans wanting to check out his barn, but he soon warmed up (what’s not to love?!).  We later learned that they do offer tours of the barn brewery and you are to sign up online.  We had sought out the website for more directions but it was in Icelandic – marketing tip #1.  If you don’t want PNWers driving up to your barn, get your website in English.  We like our micro-brews and we will find you!  It’s a small outfit as Icelanders don’t yet seem to have a taste for beer with more than 2% alcohol.  They are selling their beer in some liquor stores in Iceland, Sweden, Denmark and have just entered the Canadian market.  It passed our test as it was pretty tasty.  The brewer won us over too as he was super welcoming and excited to talk to people who have a taste for good beer!