Iceland farm day to showcase whisky, popcorn and beef

Whisky, gin and products ranging from beef to popcorn will be showcased at the fourth annual Beint frá býli farm day, mbl.is reports. Seven farms around Iceland will host small producers on Sunday, August 23.

One of the hosts is Bjálmsholt, a family farm where the Eimverk distillery recently moved its brewing and distilling operations. It is the first time Eimverk has hosted the event, although the company is taking part for the second time.

“This is the second time we are participating, but the first time we are hosts,” Eva María Sigurbjörnsdóttir, Eimverk’s production manager, told Morgunblaðið.

At each host farm, other small producers will gather to present and sell their products. The event aims to raise awareness of local production, strengthen ties between consumers and sellers, and encourage more small producers to enter the sector.

The other host farms are Eysteinseyri in Tálknafjörður, Syðra-Holt in Svarfaðardalur, Hólmi Farm in Hornafjörður, Sölvanes in Skagafjörður, Laugar in Sælingsdalur, where farmers from Ásgarður will host, and Blómabær in Egilsstaðir. At Blómabær, the event will be held as part of Ormsteiti, a harvest and cultural festival in Fljótsdalshérað.

Whisky and handmade goods

Eimverk’s products will be presented alongside goods from numerous small producers. Visitors will be able to buy pork, beef, kombucha, mustard, popcorn, handmade yarn and soaps made by Spunasystur from residues left over from Eimverk’s production.

Eimverk will also showcase its Flóki whisky brand, as well as Vørgin gin, Kría vodka and vinegar. The company’s production is expanding, with the move increasing capacity from 300-litre equipment to 3,000-litre equipment.

Eimverk has used Icelandic grain from the beginning. “We have never used imported barley for production,” Eva María said.

Visitors to Bjálmsholt will also be able to see the farm’s grain-drying facilities, whisky cellar and combine harvester. The farm grows grain and has no livestock apart from 12 chickens.

“People can come inside and see our grain drying and the whisky cellar downstairs. We also have a combine harvester, and I imagine not many people in Iceland have seen one,” Eva María said.