14 DAY TRIAL // In late March 2013, the news broke that a bunch of people in Japan were busy turning endangered fin whales into dog food. Green group WDC (Whale and Dolphin Conservation), whose members were involved in exposing this practice, is now saying that equally dreadful things are happening in Iceland.
On its website, the conservation group writes that a brewery in said country claims to have figured out a way to add one very special ingredient to one of its beers: whale meat.
The green group does not specify which species the whale meat comes from.
What's more, they greenheads are not even sure that the beer actually contains this peculiar ingredient, seeing how all they have to go on is the word of the brewery's owner.
Still, it would be odd for the latter to make such statements if they weren't true, chiefly because that would get his business some very bad publicity.
“Whale beer’ is the brainchild of the Steðjar brewery and fin whaling company, Hvalur hf. and claims to contain whale meal,” WDC says.
“Its launch is timed to coincide with the Icelandic mid-winter festival of Þorrablót (Thorrablot) held in honour of the Norse god, Thor, a time when hearty food is served,” the green group adds.
By the looks of it, Steðjar brewery's owner, i.e. one Dabjartur Arilíusson, is quite convinced that this so-called whale beer is not just tasty, but also nutritious.
Thus, he says that the whale meat ups the beer's protein content and therefore makes it surprisingly healthy. More so given the fact that no sugar is added to the drink.
“This is a unique beer, brewed in collaboration with Hvalur hf. Whale beer will include, among other things, whale meal,” Dabjartur Arilíusson reportedly said in a statement.
Furthermore, “Whale meal is very protein rich, and has almost no fat in it. That, along with the fact that no sugar is added makes this a very healthful drink, and people will be true Vikings drinking it.”
According to WDC, the brewery's owner is well aware of the fact that some people might not like the idea of chugging down this beer. Still, he believes that the drink will be appealing to folks who enjoy trying new things.
“Doubtless some people won’t like it, there is a certain risk and we are aware of that. We hope Icelanders will like it as we're naturally addressing it to Thorrablot, when people eat and drink various things which they normally wouldn't,” Dabjartur Arilíusson said.