Conservationists have criticised the sale in Iceland of a beer which its makers claim contains dead whale.

Icelandic brewery Steojar has teamed up with whaling company Hvalur to launch the beer, which is said to contain whale meal.

The 5.2 per cent beer, produced in time for the Icelandic mid-winter festival, is described by the brewery as healthy because whale meal is full of protein and is very low in fat, while the drink has no added sugar. The brewery’s website claims people who drink it become “true Vikings”.

But environmental group Whale and Dolphin Conservation criticised the latest use of whale meat in products, following earlier concerns that whales were ending up in dog food.

The beer will only be sold in Iceland during the midwinter month and is not being made for export.