A brewery tour in Calgary is a smart way to sample the city’s craft scene fast. This one strings together three breweries in about 3.5 hours, with included beer flights and an air-conditioned ride between stops. I love that it’s built for people who want variety without spending the whole day hopping around.

What really makes it work is the drink selection and the guide. You get IPA and lager options through the flight-style tastings, and the host, Conner, brings real beer knowledge plus pointers on things to watch for while you drive through the city. It also keeps the pace friendly since each stop runs about 45 minutes.

One thing to keep in mind: it’s firmly an alcohol-focused tour. If you don’t want to sample beer at each stop, or you drink slowly, you’ll need to plan your pace and budgeting (gratuity is not included).

Key things to know before you go

• Three breweries, three separate beer flights (one flight at each stop)
• 45 minutes per brewery, so you get time to taste and talk without feeling rushed
• Small group max of 14, which usually means easier conversation and better attention
• Air-conditioned vehicle between stops, plus a guide who shares details as you travel
• Mobile ticket in English, with service animals allowed
• Stops are admission free, so your cost is mostly for the tour experience and transport

Why this Calgary craft beer route makes sense

If you’re in Calgary for a short visit, this tour is a practical way to taste more than one brewery without doing logistics yourself. You’re not trying to coordinate taxis, parking, or timing. The tour handles the between-stop travel, and you spend your energy where it counts: at the taps and in the tasting rooms.

I like that the experience is structured around beer flights rather than one “big” tasting somewhere. That format gives you an easy way to compare styles across three places—especially when the flight includes a mix like IPAs and lagers.

You also get the benefit of a guide who doesn’t only talk beer. Conner also pointed out places of interest from the vehicle, which can help you understand what you’re seeing around town even if you’re not doing a full sightseeing day.

Timing, group size, and what the day feels like

This is roughly a 3 hours 30 minutes experience, and it ends where it starts at the meeting point in downtown Calgary. That makes it easier to build around other plans—dinner later, a walk afterward, or an early night if you want your next day to start fresh.

The group stays small, with a maximum of 14 travelers. In a small group, it’s easier to ask questions, hear the guide over the table noise, and actually have conversations with the people next to you. It also tends to reduce the “everyone moves at once” chaos you get on larger bus tours.

You’ll use a mobile ticket, and the tour runs in English. Since it’s near public transportation, it’s also an option if you don’t want to rely entirely on a car.

Meeting point: Fairfield by Marriott Downtown

You start at Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Calgary Downtown, 239 12 Ave SW. Having a clear downtown hotel address matters because it keeps your morning stress low. You’re not hunting for a vague “meet near the arena” kind of spot.

The tour also finishes back at that same meeting point. For me, that’s a big deal on a beer day. You can just plan to head off from there without needing to figure out transportation after you’ve had samples.

Note: hotel pick-up isn’t included, so you’ll want to get to the start point on your own.

Stop 1: Bow River Brewing and a tap-driven tasting

Your first stop is Bow River Brewing, and the vibe here is clear: this place puts the tap list in front of you. They have 8 beers on tap, including a variety of seasonal beers. That’s a great setup for travelers who want options without guessing what to order.

Each brewery visit runs around 45 minutes, which is long enough to do the flight at a comfortable pace and still chat with someone at the bar. Admission is free for the brewery stop, so your included cost is tied to the tour organization plus the sampling.

One practical advantage of starting here: you’re still fresh from the ride, and your taste buds haven’t been “trained” by the earlier samples yet. You can catch the differences across styles more easily once you get into the rest of the day.

Stop 2: OT Brewing Company and their two-letter attitude

Next up is OT Brewing Company, and their description makes one thing obvious: they’re focused on being in the moment and enjoying a solid brew. They even tease meaning behind the two-letter name, but the key takeaway for you is the welcome tone—this isn’t only about tasting, it’s about hanging out.

You’ll have another 45-minute window here, plus a beer flight included again. That repeat structure is helpful. You’re not wondering whether the day suddenly turns into “only one pour.” Instead, you can compare what you liked at Bow River Brewing versus what’s on offer at OT.

A tour like this works best when stops feel different. The first stop is tap-list heavy; the second keeps the mood casual. That mix helps the experience feel like more than just a checklist.

Stop 3: Born Brewing Co. and Calgary-style storytelling

Your final brewery is Born Brewing Co., which frames the experience as something social and city-minded. They talk about bringing you into the space to engage with Calgary, with strangers turning into friends over good brews and laughs.

What I like about a stop like this is the chance to slow down and talk. With the flight portion included again, you can focus on tasting while also enjoying the room. And since the description specifically mentions writing your own story, it feels like the space is meant to be interactive rather than purely transactional.

After three separate breweries, the last stop often becomes the one where you remember the most. You’ve already learned what styles you like. Now you can use that knowledge to pick which beers to pay attention to (within the format you’re given) and to enjoy the conversations without rushing.

Beer sampling: what you actually get for the price

This tour costs $89.71 per person, and it runs 3.5 hours with transport. The big value point is that you’re not paying for “access” alone. You get alcoholic beverages in the form of one flight of beer samples at each of the 3 breweries.

So your included tastings aren’t a token pour. You’re sampling at every stop, which means your money is going toward repeated opportunities to try different styles and breweries in one organized day.

Also included: an air-conditioned vehicle. On a craft beer tour, that matters more than you might think. Between tastings, you want your comfort handled—no cold rides, no waiting, no parking hunt.

The only costs you should budget for are gratuity (not included) and the fact that hotel pick-up isn’t included. That’s normal for this style of tour, but it’s still good to plan ahead so the total doesn’t surprise you.

Who this tour suits best (and who should skip it)

This is a strong match if you:

• Want to sample craft beer from three different breweries without doing the planning
• Like structure, with 45-minute stops and included flights at each place
• Enjoy guided context while driving around Calgary, not just sitting in a restaurant and tasting

It’s less ideal if you:

• Don’t want alcohol-focused stops (it’s built around beer flights)
• Prefer to control your own schedule and tasting pace without time limits

If you’re traveling solo, this kind of small-group format can be friendly. If you’re a couple or a group of friends, it’s also a simple way to keep everyone on the same plan without splitting into separate rides and timing.

How to make the most of the stops

A few practical moves will help you enjoy the day instead of “powering through” it:

• Pace yourself at each brewery so you can actually taste the differences. A flight format rewards slow sipping, not chugging.
• Ask your guide about what to pay attention to. Conner’s style included beer knowledge and city pointers from the drive, so you’ll likely get better guidance if you ask.
• Don’t treat the flight like a race. You’re tasting across multiple breweries, so your goal is remembering what you liked, not finishing first.
• Plan a casual meal later. With multiple tasting flights included, you’ll feel better if food isn’t hours away.

Also, since the max group size is 14, you can often request a moment to ask questions or clarify what’s on offer at the taps, especially when the bar area isn’t jammed.

Booking timing: when to lock it in

The tour is commonly booked about 59 days in advance on average. That’s a hint that it can sell out, especially during busy periods. If you have a tight itinerary, it’s smart to book earlier rather than “wait and see.”

You can cancel up to 24 hours before for a full refund, which is reassuring if plans change. Still, if you’re traveling in peak season, earlier booking is the safer move.

Should you book this Calgary Brewery Tour?

I’d book it if you want a clean, organized introduction to Calgary’s craft beer scene in a half-day time block. The value is real because you’re getting three included flights across three breweries, plus transport and a small-group guide who knows his stuff and adds city context.

I’d skip it only if you strongly prefer non-alcohol activities or you want total freedom to wander at your own pace. For everyone else, this is one of those tours where the planning is handled for you, and you can focus on tasting, conversation, and enjoying the day.

FAQ

How long is the Calgary Brewery Tour?

The tour lasts about 3 hours 30 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $89.71 per person.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Calgary Downtown, 239 12 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 1H7, and ends back at the same meeting point.

What’s included in the price?

You get an air-conditioned vehicle and one flight of beer samples at each of the three brewery stops.

Are the brewery stops included, or do I pay separately?

Admission at each brewery stop is free as part of the tour.

Does the tour include hotel pick-up?

No, hotel pick-up is not included.

Is gratuity included?

No, gratuity is not included.

Can I get a refund if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.