Calgary Brewery Tour

Calgary’s craft beer scene is best sampled one brewery at a time, and this tour gives you three stops in three and a half hours, with a beer flight included at each one. You get a taste of different local brewing styles without worrying about driving between taprooms.

I like the small maximum group of 14, which should make the ride and brewery visits easier to manage. I also like that the guide adds some Calgary sightseeing along the way, rather than treating the tour as a simple ride from one bar to the next. The main drawback is that each stop lasts about 45 minutes, so you will get a useful sample of each brewery, but not much time for a long meal or leisurely tasting.

Key points to know before booking

• Three breweries in one afternoon: Visit Bow River Brewing, OT Brewing Company, and Born Brewing Co.
• Three beer flights included: You receive one flight of beer samples at each brewery.
• Small-group transport: The air-conditioned vehicle carries no more than 14 people.
• A guide adds city context: Conner, the guide named in the available feedback, also pointed out places of interest during the drive.
• Downtown starting point: Meet at the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Calgary Downtown on 12 Avenue SW.
• A sample-focused tour: The schedule allows about 45 minutes at each brewery, so plan on tasting rather than settling in for a full evening at one location.

Three Calgary breweries, one compact afternoon

This is a tasting route built for variety. Instead of spending your whole afternoon at one taproom, you move through three Calgary breweries and sample what each has on offer.

The total duration is about 3 hours and 30 minutes. That is long enough to make the outing feel substantial, but short enough to fit around other Calgary plans. You begin and end at the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Calgary Downtown, so you will not need to arrange separate transport back to the city center.

The included transportation matters here. You can pay attention to the beer and the city outside the windows instead of planning a sober driver. The vehicle is air-conditioned, a useful comfort feature during warmer weather or after several tastings.

The group limit is 14 people. That is not a private tour, but it is much more manageable than a large coach outing. You should have a better chance to hear the guide, ask questions, and move through the brewery visits without a long line of people ahead of you.

Bow River Brewing starts with broad beer choices

Your first stop is Bow River Brewing, where eight beers are on tap along with seasonal selections. That range gives the opening tasting a useful spread. You may find familiar styles alongside beers that change with the season.

The best part of starting here is choice. If your group has mixed tastes, an eight-tap lineup gives the tasting a better chance of pleasing everyone than a brewery with only a narrow house selection.

You receive a beer flight as part of the tour. The provided details do not specify the number or size of pours in the flight, but one account describes the samples as generous and includes both IPAs and lagers. That suggests you should expect more than a quick sip, though you should still treat the outing as a tasting rather than a full drinking session.

The 45-minute stop is enough to sample the flight and get a feel for the brewery. It is less suited to lingering over a full pint, ordering food, or spending a long time studying the tap list. If you want a relaxed pub afternoon, the schedule may feel brisk. If you want variety, it works well.

OT Brewing Company brings a second point of view

The second stop is OT Brewing Company. The supplied details do not list specific beer styles or tap numbers here, so I would treat this visit as a chance to compare the brewery with Bow River rather than arrive expecting one particular beer.

That comparison is part of the value of the route. You can pay attention to the differences in the beers, the taproom setting, and the way each brewery presents itself. With a flight included, you do not have to commit to one full glass before knowing what suits you.

The stop lasts about 45 minutes. That creates a steady rhythm: arrive, hear about the brewery, taste the samples, and move on. It also means you should avoid filling up before the tour if you want to make the most of all three flights.

Your guide can help turn the tasting into more than a list of beer names. Conner is specifically praised for explaining the beers and pointing out places of interest during the drive. If he is leading your departure, expect some city commentary between stops as well as help making sense of what is in your glass.

Born Brewing Co. closes the tasting route

The final stop is Born Brewing Co., a brewery built around meeting people, sharing beer, and making space for local stories. Its stated aim is to offer an authentic connection with Calgary, so this stop may feel more social than purely technical.

That makes Born a sensible final visit. By this point, you have sampled two other breweries and can compare the different personalities of the places you have seen. The 45-minute visit gives you time to enjoy the last flight without turning the tour into an all-day commitment.

The description does not provide a fixed beer list at Born Brewing Co. Seasonal taps and current availability can change, so you should see the flight as a snapshot of what the brewery is pouring during your visit.

The stop is also a reminder that craft beer is not only about hops, malt, and alcohol percentage. A good taproom gives you a place to talk, and Born’s focus on conversation and local connection fits that role. Still, the short schedule means you will get an introduction rather than a long evening in the brewery.

What three included flights add to the price

The listed price is $89.71 per person. You receive one flight at each of the three breweries, transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, and a guided route that connects the stops.

To judge the value, think of the tour as three separate costs bundled together: transport, guided hosting, and beer samples. You are paying for the convenience of visiting three breweries without arranging a driver, plus the structure of moving through a carefully timed route.

The price makes more sense if you want to sample several beers. Buying full pours at three breweries could leave you with more alcohol than you want, while ordering individual samples on your own can become costly and confusing. The flights let you try a wider range in smaller portions.

The value is weaker if you plan to drink only one beer or already know the breweries you want to visit. You may prefer to choose one taproom and spend the afternoon there. This tour is aimed at variety and convenience, not the cheapest possible way to have a drink.

Gratuity is not included. Set aside extra money for the guide if you feel the service deserves it. Hotel pickup is also not included, so you need to reach the downtown meeting point yourself.

The downtown meeting point keeps the plan simple

The tour begins at the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Calgary Downtown, at 239 12 Ave SW. It ends back at the same meeting point.

That return is useful if you have dinner plans, a hotel nearby, or another downtown activity afterward. You should allow enough time to reach the starting point before departure, since the tour does not include hotel pickup.

The mobile ticket makes the practical side easy. Confirmation is received at booking, and the experience is offered in English. If you need another language, this tour is not presented as a multilingual option.

The route is near public transportation, which gives you another way to reach the meeting point. The exact transit route is not provided, so check your own map or local transit information before setting out.

How the timing affects your afternoon

Each brewery visit lasts about 45 minutes. Three stops account for 2 hours and 15 minutes, leaving the rest of the 3.5-hour schedule for driving, introductions, and movement between venues.

This timing is efficient, but it leaves little room for delays. You should not count on an extended meal, long shopping stop, or extra time at a favorite brewery. If you find a beer you love, you may have to make a note of it and return independently another day.

The tour also works best when you approach it as a tasting lesson. Sample carefully, listen to the explanations, and compare the beers from stop to stop. The guide’s city observations add a second layer to the experience, especially if you are new to Calgary and want more than a string of taproom visits.

One available account praises Conner for explaining the beers and pointing out places of interest while driving. That combination is a strong feature of the tour. You are not only being moved from brewery to brewery, and the drive can help you get your bearings in the city.

Who will get the most from this brewery tour

I would recommend this tour to you if you want to try Calgary craft beer without building your own route. It suits first-time visitors, couples, small groups of friends, and anyone who prefers a planned outing to researching tap lists and transport.

It is also a good fit for people with mixed beer tastes. Bow River Brewing has eight beers on tap plus seasonal choices, while the three-flight format gives you repeated chances to find something you like. The route includes IPAs and lagers in the tasting mix, according to the available account.

You may want a different plan if you are a serious beer fan who wants technical brewery details, extended conversations with brewers, or time to order full pours. None of those extras is promised, and the 45-minute schedule keeps the experience moving.

Families with children may also need to think carefully. The tour is built around alcoholic tastings, and the provided information does not describe a separate nonalcoholic option. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but the beer-centered format will not suit every group.

Practical details worth knowing

The experience accepts service animals and is near public transportation. Most people can participate, and the maximum group size is 14.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. That gives you some flexibility if your Calgary plans change, but a last-minute cancellation does not qualify under the stated policy.

The tour is offered in English. Bring your mobile ticket and arrive at the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Calgary Downtown. Since hotel pickup is not provided, plan your own way to the meeting point.

The tour is booked, on average, 59 days ahead. That does not guarantee that every date sells out, but it is a useful reason to reserve early if your Calgary schedule is fixed.

Should you book the Calgary Brewery Tour?

Book it if you want a convenient, social introduction to Calgary’s craft beer scene, especially if you like trying several styles instead of ordering one full beer at a time. The included flights, air-conditioned transport, small group limit, and city commentary give the $89.71 price a reasonable purpose.

Skip it if you want a slow afternoon at one brewery, a full meal, or a highly technical brewing tour. The schedule is tight, and each stop is an introduction.

For most first-time visitors who want to taste local beer without driving, I think the route is a sensible choice. Keep your expectations focused on variety, guided sampling, and a pleasant afternoon moving through three breweries, and the experience should deliver good value.

FAQ

How long does the Calgary Brewery Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Which breweries are included?

The route visits Bow River Brewing, OT Brewing Company, and Born Brewing Co.

How many beer flights are included?

One flight of beer samples is included for each person at each of the three breweries.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transportation is provided in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Calgary Downtown, at 239 12 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta T2R 1H7.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the same downtown meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup is not included, so you must make your own way to the meeting point.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 14 participants.