REVIEW · BYRON BAY
Afternoon Brewery and Distillery session: Tastings & transfers
Book on Viator →Operated by Behind the Barrel Byron Bay · Bookable on Viator
Your afternoon gets a lot more delicious. This Byron Bay tour is all about generous tasting paddles at each stop, plus hands-on guided moments that turn beer and gin into something you can actually talk about. I also like the small-group feel (up to 13 people), where host Jarryd keeps things personal and friendly—perfect for meeting new folks. One practical catch: food at the venues costs extra, so bring a bit of hunger planning (or budget for meals).
You start at 2pm and roll through to the early evening, hitting two local breweries and a distillery (order can vary). Transfers from designated meeting points are included, and you use a mobile ticket—so you spend less time figuring out logistics and more time tasting. You’ll also get chances for guided tastings at key stops like Cape Byron Distillery and Stone & Wood.
In the mix, you may visit places such as Stone & Wood Brewery Byron Bay, Cape Byron Distillery, Husk Distillers, Lord Byron Distillery, and Seven Mile Brewing Co. I love that the lineup gives you both beer and spirits, so you can build your own “what I’m into” list. Just note: it’s an 18+ experience, since it’s centered on alcohol tastings.
In This Review
- Key highlights worth planning for
- The 2pm schedule that fits into a Byron Bay day
- Price and what you actually get for $111.17
- Small group energy, with host Jarryd in the lead
- Stop-by-stop: what each venue experience feels like
- Stone & Wood Brewery Byron Bay: beer you can talk about
- Cape Byron Distillery: guided tasting plus coastal mood
- Husk Distillers: tasting paddles and variety
- Lord Byron Distillery: spirits with a strong fan-friendly lineup
- Seven Mile Brewing Co: another brewery stop for your beer map
- What the tastings actually teach you (and how to taste better)
- Food at the venues: plan for extra costs, not surprise meals
- Transfers and timing: the hidden comfort feature
- Who should book this Byron Bay brewery and distillery tour
- Should you book this? My quick call
- FAQ
- What time does the tour start?
- How long is the tour?
- Is pickup available?
- How many people are in the group?
- What tastings are included?
- Which breweries and distilleries might be visited?
- Are meals included?
- What is the minimum age?
- How does the ticket work?
- What’s the cancellation window for a refund?
Key highlights worth planning for

- Included transfers from set meeting points, so you’re not juggling rides
- Tasting paddles at each venue, with guided tastings at some stops
- Small group size (max 13) for real conversation, not a crowd shuffle
- Choice between beer and gin vibes, and your host can work with your preferences when possible
- Scenic pairing at Cape Byron Distillery, with big views alongside the tastings
- Value focused pricing for 4.5 hours of guided, multi-venue drinking
The 2pm schedule that fits into a Byron Bay day

This is an afternoon-to-early-evening format, starting at 2:00pm and running about 4 hours 30 minutes. That timing matters in Byron Bay. You avoid the late-morning rush and you’re back in time to have a proper evening plan after you’ve had your fill of tastings.
The tour is designed around a simple idea: you hop between two breweries and a distillery (or the reverse). That keeps it varied enough that you don’t feel like you’re repeating the same thing. You’ll likely spend around an hour at the bigger guided-tasting stops, with shorter tasting moments at other venues.
Transfers are part of the package. You’re picked up from designated meeting points (and the meeting area is near public transport, in case you’re arriving on your own). The mobile ticket also means less time on paperwork and more time getting started.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Byron Bay.
Price and what you actually get for $111.17

At $111.17 per person, you’re paying for more than “a ride to a couple places.” You’re paying for three things that add up quickly if you tried to DIY it:
1) Transport between venues (included)
Moving between breweries and distilleries around Byron Bay takes planning, and taxis add cost fast—especially with groups.
2) Tasting paddles included at the venues
The tour’s core value is that tastings are baked into the experience. In a DIY plan, you’d be paying entry or tasting costs on your own at each location.
3) A host who sets the pace and gives context
You’re not just trying drinks; you’re learning what to notice as you taste. That’s part of why this tour tends to land well for first-timers.
Are there extra costs? Yes: meals are available at the venues, but only for an extra charge. So I’d treat this as a guided tasting afternoon, not an all-inclusive lunch-and-drinks package.
If you’re traveling in a group and you’d otherwise be paying for rides plus multiple tasting sessions, this format can feel like a good deal—especially with the small-group size keeping the day from turning into a slow, noisy bus tour.
Small group energy, with host Jarryd in the lead

One of the strongest impressions from the day is the vibe. This is capped at a maximum of 13 people, so you get more of that friendly back-and-forth instead of being one face in a line.
Host Jarryd shows up in multiple accounts as the kind of guide who mixes local knowledge with an easy, fun style. People also specifically mention his friendliness and the way he helps you feel comfortable, whether you’re more beer-focused or you’re chasing gin.
There’s also a hint of “this is a party, but with direction.” A few accounts mention photo help—so if you’re the friend who usually ends up taking pictures, you might actually come away with photos that show everyone’s smiling at the same time.
One more practical point: because the day involves multiple tastings, having a guide who can keep timing smooth helps. It’s not just about when you arrive—it’s about not getting stuck waiting around while other groups get their tasting slots.
Stop-by-stop: what each venue experience feels like

The day is built around tasting moments at breweries and distilleries. Which exact venues you hit can vary (the tour includes options such as breweries like Stone & Wood, Common People Brewing, Wandana Brewing, Earth Brewing, and Seven Mile Brewing Co, plus distilleries like Husk Distillers, Lord Byron Distillery, and Cape Byron Distillery). But the structure stays similar: you’ll do a mix of longer guided tastings at major stops and shorter tasting paddle moments at others.
Stone & Wood Brewery Byron Bay: beer you can talk about
Stone & Wood Brewery Byron Bay is one of the guided stops, with a tasting session included and about an hour set aside. This is a solid anchor in the lineup because it gives you time to learn what makes each beer style work—not just taste it and move on.
A good move here is to take notes (on your phone). Write down which one you’d order again later. It helps you compare across stops and makes the tasting feel purposeful instead of random sipping.
Cape Byron Distillery: guided tasting plus coastal mood
Cape Byron Distillery includes a guided tasting with about an hour allotted. One account also flags the views at Cape Byron as a major plus—so this stop can feel like a “drinks and scenery” moment, not just a back-room tasting.
If you’re the type who gets distracted by good scenery (like most of us), plan to pace yourself. Enjoy the views, then switch your brain back to tasting when the guided pours start.
Husk Distillers: tasting paddles and variety
Husk Distillers is listed as a tasting paddle stop. That means you get multiple pours to compare, but you may get less time than the guided-only hour stops.
Use this kind of stop to test your preferences. If you’ve decided you’re a gin person, focus on what hits your nose and what finishes cleanly. If you’re more beer-forward, treat the spirit tastings like palate training for later.
Lord Byron Distillery: spirits with a strong fan-friendly lineup
Lord Byron Distillery features tasting moments (and guided tasting is indicated). This is a stop that seems to hit hard with people because the lineup can include more buzz-worthy releases.
For example, one account specifically mentions trying Margot Robbie’s new gin at Lord Byron Distillery. You might not see the same lineup every day, but it’s a sign that this stop can offer more than just standard options—so it’s worth showing up with curiosity.
Seven Mile Brewing Co: another brewery stop for your beer map
Seven Mile Brewing Co appears as a tasting paddle stop. If your day is ordered so you get two breweries and one distillery, this is the kind of stop that helps you “map” what you like across different local brewing styles.
A practical approach: pick one beer to “compare” later. Your brain will thank you when you’re trying to remember whether that citrus note or roasty finish was the one you loved.
What the tastings actually teach you (and how to taste better)

This tour’s tastings come in the form of included tasting paddles, plus guided tastings at select stops. That combination is key: paddles give you range, and guidance helps you avoid tasting the way you sip at a bar where you’re just deciding what’s next.
Here are a few simple tasting habits that work well on a day like this:
- Start slow and sniff first. If you rush, everything starts tasting “alcohol-y.” Take a second before each pour.
- Pick one word per drink. Citrus, floral, pine, toasted, caramel, peppery—whatever fits. One word beats a paragraph.
- Watch the finish. You’ll often remember the last few seconds more than the first sip.
- Alternate pace with water. This isn’t a party where you power through; it’s a tasting circuit.
One account mentions trying drinks they would never normally choose, and that’s exactly the point of a multi-stop tour. You’re nudging your “safe order” instincts. If you always pick the same beer style, a guided paddle can flip your expectations quickly.
Food at the venues: plan for extra costs, not surprise meals

Meals are available at the venues for an extra cost. That’s normal for a tasting-focused tour, but it changes how I’d plan your day.
If you want to eat during the tour, set a budget ahead of time. If you don’t want to eat, you’ll still want snacks before you start, since you’re sampling multiple drinks across several stops.
The big thing: don’t assume the tour price covers meals. It’s built around tastings and transfers, not a full food plan.
Transfers and timing: the hidden comfort feature

A lot of Byron Bay activities sound fun until you realize you’ll lose half your day managing rides. Here, transfers are included from designated meeting points.
That means you can:
- keep the afternoon flowing without long gaps
- avoid parking stress and ride-hailing delays
- stay with the group pace (which helps when tastings are scheduled)
Also, because the meeting points are near public transportation and the tour uses a mobile ticket, it’s easier to plug into your broader travel plans. If you’re staying in the area, you’ll likely find it straightforward to get to the start.
Who should book this Byron Bay brewery and distillery tour

This tour is a great fit if you want:
- a small-group afternoon tasting circuit
- both beer and gin/spirits options
- a host to guide the order of tastings and keep the day moving
- a social vibe where you can meet new people without it feeling forced
It may not be the best choice if you:
- dislike tasting flights or you want strictly non-alcohol experiences (the focus here is tastings)
- need an early dinner the moment the tour ends (you finish in the early evening, but meal timing depends on your appetite and the venue options)
Because it’s 18+, it’s ideal for adult groups—friends on a weekend, couples doing something different, or anyone who wants a planned activity without surrendering control of the day afterward.
Should you book this? My quick call
Book it if you want an easy way to sample multiple Byron Bay breweries and distilleries with transfers handled and tastings included. At $111.17, the value is strongest when you factor in the ride convenience and the tasting paddles that you’d otherwise pay for one stop at a time.
Skip it only if you’re trying to build a strict food-centered plan or you want a non-tasting style tour. Otherwise, this looks like a well-tuned afternoon: enough time to enjoy, enough variety to stay interesting, and a host-led pace that keeps you from wasting hours between venues.
FAQ
What time does the tour start?
The tour starts at 2:00pm.
How long is the tour?
It runs for about 4 hours 30 minutes.
Is pickup available?
Yes. Transfers are included from/to designated meeting points, and pickup is offered.
How many people are in the group?
The tour has a maximum of 13 travelers.
What tastings are included?
You get tasting paddles at the venues, and guided tastings are included at certain stops.
Which breweries and distilleries might be visited?
The tour can include Stone & Wood Brewery Byron Bay, Seven Mile Brewing Co, Husk Distillers, Lord Byron Distillery, and Cape Byron Distillery, along with other local brewery options listed by the provider.
Are meals included?
Meals are available at the venues but only for an extra cost.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 18.
How does the ticket work?
You’ll receive a mobile ticket, and confirmation is received at booking.
What’s the cancellation window for a refund?
There is free cancellation. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.





