Calgary Brewery Tour

Calgary’s craft beer scene makes a fine short tour because you can visit three breweries in about three and a half hours without worrying about driving between them. At each stop, you receive a flight of beer samples, giving you a useful taste of different brewing styles rather than one large drink in one room.

I like the small maximum group of 14 and the air-conditioned vehicle, especially when you want a social afternoon without arranging taxis. I also like that guides such as Conner add local color during the drives, pointing out places of interest along the way. The main drawback is simple: hotel pickup is not included, and all departures and returns use the downtown meeting point.

Key Points

• Three breweries, three included flights: Sample beer at Bow River Brewing, OT Brewing Company, and Born Brewing Co.
• About 45 minutes at each stop: The schedule gives you time to taste without turning the afternoon into a long brewery lecture.
• Small-group transport: The vehicle carries no more than 14 people and is air-conditioned.
• Downtown start and finish: Meet at the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Calgary Downtown on 12 Avenue SW.
• A useful range of beer styles: The tour can include IPAs, lagers, and seasonal beers, with selections changing by brewery.
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead: You have a practical safety net if your Calgary plans shift.

Three Calgary Breweries in One Easy Afternoon

I see the main appeal here as convenience. Calgary is spread out enough that a brewery visit can become a driving and parking project. This tour takes care of the vehicle, keeps the tasting schedule moving, and returns you to the same downtown meeting point.

The experience lasts about 3 hours and 30 minutes. Each brewery receives roughly 45 minutes, while the remaining time covers driving and transitions. That pace is brisk but sensible. You get a real taste of each place without spending an entire day on a single beer stop.

You receive one flight of beer samples at each brewery. The exact beers are not fixed in the tour details, so your selections can depend on what each taproom is pouring that day. That is a plus for repeat visitors and anyone who prefers fresh, seasonal offerings, though you should not book this expecting a guaranteed list of particular beers.

The tour is offered in English, and confirmation arrives when you book. The mobile ticket keeps things simple: show up with your booking details and meet the vehicle downtown.

Starting at Fairfield by Marriott Downtown

The meeting point is the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Calgary Downtown, at 239 12 Ave SW. The activity ends at the same location, which makes planning easier if you are staying downtown or using nearby public transportation.

There is no hotel pickup. I would allow extra time to reach the meeting point, since a late arrival could be hard to absorb in a tightly timed small-group tour. The return to the starting point is useful if you have dinner plans or another evening activity in central Calgary.

The vehicle is air-conditioned. That detail may sound minor, but it matters when you are moving between several stops and want a comfortable ride between tastings. You are not expected to drive after sampling three flights, and the tour’s transportation removes that concern.

Bow River Brewing: A Broad First Taste

Your first stop is Bow River Brewing, where eight beers are on tap along with a selection of seasonal beers. This is a good opening stop because a broad tap list gives the guide room to present different styles to the group.

If you enjoy variety, pay attention to how the flight is arranged. The available details specifically point to IPAs and lagers as styles you may encounter, while the seasonal taps can add something less predictable. You might prefer one style over another, but the point of the flight is comparison: a few smaller samples can tell you more about your tastes than committing to a full glass at the first stop.

The scheduled 45 minutes is enough for a flight and a look around, but it is not a long sit-down session. I would treat this stop as your introduction to Calgary brewing rather than a chance to settle in for an extended meal. Food is not listed as included, so plan on the beer being the focus.

Bow River’s range also helps set a useful tone for the rest of the afternoon. You can start with familiar styles, then use the next two breweries to see how other brewers approach their beers.

OT Brewing Company: Pause Over a Brew

The second stop is OT Brewing Company. Its description centers on taking a moment and enjoying a beer, whatever your personal reason for being there. That makes this part of the tour feel less like a checklist and more like a chance to slow down between tastings.

You will have another 45 minutes and another included flight. By this point, you will have already sampled from Bow River, so you can make sharper comparisons. I suggest noting which beers you liked at the first stop before ordering the next flight. It is an easy way to avoid choosing three similar pours and to make the tasting more useful.

The tour does not promise a fixed beer menu at OT Brewing Company. Tap lists can change, and the supplied information does not specify exact styles for this stop. You might find a mix that broadens the day, but the most accurate expectation is simply another flight at a local brewery, guided by what is available during your visit.

Because the itinerary gives equal time to each brewery, you do not need to decide in advance which stop will be your favorite. The format lets you sample first and form your own opinion.

Born Brewing Co.: Beer With a Social Side

Born Brewing Co. presents itself as a place where people connect over beer, conversation, and stories. The setting is intended for social interaction, so this can be a natural stop for a group that enjoys talking as much as tasting.

You receive the third flight here, again with about 45 minutes at the brewery. Three stops can sound like a lot, but flights keep the portions manageable compared with ordering several full beers at every location. Still, you are drinking alcohol throughout the afternoon, so pace yourself and use the breaks between stops.

Born Brewing’s description focuses on its connection with Calgary and its welcoming social spirit. The tour details do not identify a particular specialty beer or brewing method here, so I would not book this stop expecting one signature item. Instead, think of it as the final tasting room, where you can compare the day’s beers and decide which styles or brewery you would like to revisit on your own.

That final comparison is one of the tour’s practical strengths. You leave with a better sense of what you enjoy, not just a single brewery experience.

What the Small Group Adds

The maximum group size is 14 people. That is not a private tour, but it is small enough to keep the vehicle from feeling unwieldy and to make guide interaction more realistic.

A guide such as Conner can do more than keep the schedule. During the drives, he has pointed out places of interest around Calgary and explained the beers being tasted. That combination is useful because the time between breweries becomes part of the city experience rather than dead travel time.

The guide’s role also matters when the beer list changes. Since exact pours are not guaranteed, a guide who can explain what is being served adds context to the flight. You can ask about the differences between an IPA and a lager, or simply use the tasting as a relaxed introduction to local brewing.

The small group has limits, too. You may be sharing the afternoon with people who have different levels of beer interest. Someone looking for a private tasting or a highly technical brewing lesson may find the format too general. This is better suited to a social outing with a little local sightseeing than to a formal beer course.

Is the $89.71 Price Worth It?

The listed price is $89.71 per person. To judge the value, count what is bundled: transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle, about three and a half hours of guided activity, visits to three breweries, and one beer flight at each stop.

That makes the price reasonable for anyone who would otherwise need to arrange several rides and pay separately for tastings. You are also paying for the guide and the structure. The value is not just in the beer itself. It is in being able to sample at three locations without choosing a designated driver or working out the route.

The price does not include gratuity. It also does not include hotel pickup, food, or anything beyond the listed beer flights. I would budget separately for a meal, since the tour is long enough to cover an afternoon but does not present itself as a food tour.

The value is strongest for a first-time visitor to Calgary who wants a simple introduction to local breweries. If you already know the city’s beer scene and prefer to linger at one taproom, paying for a multi-stop itinerary may feel less worthwhile.

Timing, Alcohol, and Practical Comfort

At 45 minutes per brewery, the schedule asks you to keep moving. You will have time to receive and taste a flight, talk with the guide, and get a feel for each place. You will not have unlimited time to study every tap list or sit through a long meal.

The three flights are the central activity, so pace matters. The supplied tour information does not state the number of samples or the exact pour size, though the pours have been described as generous. Treat the afternoon as a proper tasting session rather than a quick sip at three locations.

The air-conditioned vehicle provides a comfortable break between stops. The tour runs in English, and service animals are allowed. It is near public transportation, and most people can participate, though the supplier does not provide more detailed mobility information in the available details.

A mobile ticket is included, and confirmation is provided at booking. If your plans change, you can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. That policy gives you some flexibility, but it is still wise to arrive at the meeting point early.

Who Will Enjoy This Calgary Brewery Tour?

I would choose this tour for you if you want to:

• Sample several Calgary breweries in one afternoon
• Avoid driving between taprooms after drinking
• Try IPAs, lagers, and possible seasonal beers
• Meet other beer fans in a small group
• Add a little city commentary to the ride
• Start and finish downtown

It is especially practical for a couple, a small friend group, or a solo visitor who wants an organized social activity. The group size is limited, and the fixed route removes much of the planning work.

I would think twice if you want a private vehicle, a food pairing, a guaranteed beer list, or a long visit at each brewery. You also need to reach the Fairfield by Marriott on your own, since hotel pickup is not included.

Should You Book It?

Book this Calgary Brewery Tour if you value variety, safe transportation, and an easy downtown meeting point. Three flights over three stops give you a better introduction to the city’s brewing scene than a single taproom visit, while the small group keeps the outing fairly personal.

Skip it if your main goal is to spend several hours at one brewery or choose every beer yourself. For most visitors with one free afternoon, though, the $89.71 cost buys a well-organized route, plenty of samples, and a guide who can add local detail between stops.

FAQ

How long does the Calgary Brewery Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.

How many breweries does the tour visit?

It visits three breweries: Bow River Brewing, OT Brewing Company, and Born Brewing Co.

Are beer samples included?

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

Where does the tour start and end?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup is not included. You need to make your own way to the downtown meeting point.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 14 people.