Can you give us some background to KHB Brugghús and the drinks you make?
We’re a husband and wife team - Helgi Sigurdsson and Audur Vala Gunnarsdóttir -the dreamers behind KHB Brewery and Distillery, nestled snugly in the heart of Borgarfjordur Eystri in Iceland.
Our journey began in 2020, a tale spun from a shared love of craftsmanship and a thirst for something truly unique. It was then that we embarked on a journey that would lead us to the heart of tradition, and the cutting edge of modernity.
The beautiful location where KHB Brugghús is located in Iceland
Picture this: a quaint village, its streets winding around one of the oldest houses in the area, a relic of 1897. Within those weathered walls, we found our home, our sanctuary for brewing and distilling magic. Here, amidst the whispers of history, we set out to create something truly special.
What was it that prompted you to start brewing and distilling?
Our venture into distilling began with a chance encounter at a trade show in London. That's where we met the folks behind iStill, pioneers in distilling technology. Inspired by their vision, we dove headfirst into crafting Landi, the original Icelandic Moonshine.
Guided by Audur's sister, Esther Kjartansdóttir, a master distiller trained at the esteemed iStill University, we perfected the art of capturing the rugged spirit of our homeland in every drop.
But why stop there? In 2021, we unveiled KHB Gin, a tantalising blend of tradition and innovation. With eight hand-selected spices dancing alongside the vibrant notes of our homegrown lemongrass, each sip is a journey through the Icelandic landscape, a tribute to our roots.
And then there's beer — the golden nectar that brings people together. Our journey led us to the beer mecca of Plzen, where we crossed paths with Josef Krýsl, a brewing maestro with a legacy at Pilsner Urquell. Under his watchful eye, our master brewer, Þorsteinn Brandsson, honed his craft, learning the secrets of brewing that have been passed down through generations.
What was your awareness of the competition prior to entering and what motivated you to enter?
The medals that KHB Brugghús has won in the London Competitions
I was looking for some competitions to enter for our products as I wanted to get comparison with other brands. I knew we were doing some good stuff but wanted the international recognition which we could show to to buyers and distributors.
So we found details about the London Beer and London Spirits Competitions online and liked what we saw.
What has been the impact on the company as a result of winning the awards?
First we entered our KHB GIN in 2022. We received a silver medal and instantly the sales number grew here in Iceland. Here the gin market, like everywhere, is big and lots of brands, and specially in a small market like Iceland, where the big distributors have monopoly on the bars and restaurants, this was very important for us to showcase our gin.
We then entered again with the gin in 2023 and also our moonshine, Landi. The gin received another silver medal and the Landi got bronze.
Then our beers were sent this year and we have got a lot of attention as we received one gold and three silvers. As every beer is linked to a folk story and by scanning the barcode, you will go to our website where you can listen to the story in English — so, there is like a short play about each and every beer.
How have you communicated the awards to your customers?
We have sent out notice to all buyers in our region and also got a piece in the local newspaper. We have our awards on our printed materials, menus and so on.
How does it compare to other drinks competitions?
This is the only competition we enter.
Which markets would you like increase awareness and distribution?
Our focus is mainly on the domestic market and we are trying to get the attention of restaurants and bars.
How to enter 2024 London Competitions
To take advantage of the super early bird pricing that ends on August 31 go to the individual websites for the three competitions and follow the entry process:
Fee schedule
London Wine and London Beer Competition
Ј90 Super Early Bird - May 1 2024 to August 31 2024
Ј120 Early Bird - September 1 2024 to 30 November 30 2024
Ј140 Regular - December 1 2024 to 28 February 28 2025
London Spirits Competition
Ј110 Super Early Bird - May 1 2024 to August 31 2024
Ј140 Early Bird - September 1 2024 to November 30 2024
Ј180 Regular - December 1 2024 to February 28 2025
