Bristol has beer, and this tour makes it simple. In about 3.5 hours, you’ll hit craft bars and breweries, learn what you’re drinking, and taste 10 Bristol beers along the way. I like that it feels like a guided night out, not a lecture.

Two things I really enjoy: you get all drinks included, so there’s less math and more tasting, and the group stays small (max 20), which makes it easier to ask questions as you go. The guide—often praised under the name Nathan—brings a friendly, funny style that keeps the mood light while still explaining what you’re tasting.

One drawback to plan around: meals and snacks aren’t included. With no food built in, you’ll want to eat beforehand (and pace your sips) so the afternoon doesn’t turn into a wobble festival.

Key things to know before you go

• 10 Bristol beers: you’ll be sampling a range of styles, not just one neighborhood favorite
• All drinks included: tastings are part of the price, plus you’ll get entry included
• Small group (max 20): better conversation, less waiting around
• Start at Little Martha, finish at Left Handed Giant: the route ends near St Philips
• Beer-led guidance: you’ll learn as you drink, with a guide named Nathan getting consistent praise

A 3.5-hour Bristol beer shuffle starting at Little Martha

This tour is built for an easy start and a fun finish. You meet at Little Martha Brewpub, 23 Oxford St, Bristol BS2 0QT at 1:30pm, and you’re done around 3 hours 30 minutes later. From there, the day turns into a hop between craft venues, with tastings along the way.

What makes this schedule work is that it doesn’t drag. You’re not stuck in one bar for hours, and you’re not sprinting across town either. It’s more like a guided circuit that helps you find solid beer spots without guessing where to go.

Also, since you’re moving between venues, comfortable shoes matter. Even if it’s not a full-on walking marathon, you’ll still be on your feet for parts of the route.

Your guide and the tasting approach (the Nathan factor)

The biggest reason this tour gets strong scores is the human element. Guides are praised for being friendly and personable, and for having real talk about beer styles, brewing, and what to look for in a glass.

In the feedback you’ll see names like Nathan, with people calling out how he blends facts with humor. The result is you don’t feel like you’re being talked down to. If you’re a total beginner, you get explanations that make sense. If you’re a beer nerd, you get enough detail to keep your interest.

And you get breadth. One standout theme in the feedback is that the guide covers a spread of types—things like lagers, IPAs, and stouts—so you’re not stuck tasting only one end of the flavor spectrum.

Practical tip: bring a curious mindset. If you ask short questions—what’s the style, what should I notice, what’s the brewery known for—you’ll get more out of each stop.

Stop-by-stop: Little Martha, then Bristol craft bars and breweries

The tour’s launch point is Little Martha Brewing. The schedule lists an initial block of about 30 minutes, and that first stop sets the tone for the rest of the afternoon. This is where you’ll likely get your bearings, meet your guide, and start tasting right away rather than waiting until later.

After that, the tour moves through a mix of Bristol-based breweries and craft beer bars. The exact mix can vary, but the pattern stays consistent: you get guided tastings at different venues, then you learn how those beers connect to local brewing choices.

Two Bristol names come up in the route examples shared by participants: Left Handed Giant and Wiper & True. Even when every stop isn’t the same every time, the tour stays focused on the craft scene, not tourist traps.

Why this matters for you: Bristol’s beer culture is easy to miss if you only rely on the biggest, most obvious names. A guided route helps you sample what the city actually drinks, then gives you a framework for comparing flavors across breweries.

One more practical note: with 10 beers over about 3.5 hours, you’ll be tasting in multiple rounds. Don’t plan anything stressful right before or right after—this is meant to be your main event for the afternoon.

Price and value: $61.70 with drinks and entry handled

At $61.70 per person for roughly 3 hours 30 minutes, the main value isn’t just the guide. It’s that all drinks are included—plus entry/admission fees are covered, and you’re not paying extra at each venue for participation.

That combination is what makes this feel like a good deal. You can spend the tour budget once, then focus on tasting. And because the drinks are included, you can sample a range of styles without worrying that choosing a different beer will suddenly blow your spending plan.

The tradeoff is obvious: meals aren’t included. So think of it like a beer-focused experience where your food plan happens separately. Eat something solid before you arrive, and if you want extra snacks, grab them on your own before the tour starts or after it ends.

If you’re comparing options in Bristol, this is the kind of tour that usually wins for people who want structure and tastings without doing mental accounting every time they order.

Where you meet, where you end, and why timing helps

The tour starts at 1:30pm at Little Martha Brewpub on Oxford Street in Bristol. It ends at Left Handed Giant St Philips Brewery & Tap Room, located at Wadehurst Industrial Park, Unit 3 St Philips Rd, Bristol BS2 0JE.

That end point shift is important. You’re finishing in the St Philips area, not back where you started. So if you’re taking public transport or meeting friends afterward, build in a little buffer to get yourself sorted.

The good news: the tour is described as being near public transportation, and you’ll also get mobile ticket convenience. In other words, it’s mostly straightforward—show up, scan in, and start tasting.

Because it’s scheduled mid-afternoon, it’s also a smart option if you want an earlier start to your evening plans. You get the full beer experience, but you’re still not stuck until late night.

Group size, age rules, and the practical vibe

This experience caps at 20 people, which is the sweet spot for a tasting tour. You get a lively group without feeling like you’re stuck behind a crowd line at every venue.

It’s also 18+ only. If you look under 25, you’ll need to show ID. That’s standard for anything alcohol-based, but it’s worth remembering if you’re traveling with younger-looking friends or family.

On the vibe side, the tour is designed for people who enjoy craft beer and don’t mind walking through different spots as part of the fun. It also explicitly allows service animals, and most people can participate.

Finally, this tour depends on good weather, so if Bristol weather gets dramatic, you’ll need to be flexible. You should expect that the company may offer an alternate date or a refund if the tour can’t run as planned.

Who should book this craft beer tour in Bristol?

I think this tour is a great fit if:

• you want structure and someone to steer you toward solid beer stops
• you like learning basics as you drink—without getting talked down
• you’re traveling with a friend or two and want a social activity that’s not a club

It might be less ideal if:

• you want a food-heavy experience (since meals and snacks aren’t included)
• you dislike any alcohol tasting format at all (it’s built around drinking, obviously)
• you need a totally fixed route with no possible variations in venues (the tour is described as visiting a variety of Bristol venues)

Should you book Craft Beer Tour Bristol?

Yes—if you want the best kind of guided beer experience: organized, drink-included, and small enough to actually talk to your guide. For $61.70, paying once for 10 tastings plus entry is hard to beat, as long as you plan for food on your own.

My advice: book it early. The average booking time is about 33 days in advance, and with a 20-person cap, popular slots can fill up. If you’re visiting Bristol and want a beer route that takes you beyond the obvious hotspots, this is a smart way to do it without spending your first day guessing.

FAQ

How long is the Craft Beer Tour Bristol?

The tour runs for about 3 hours 30 minutes.

What does the tour cost, and what’s included?

It costs $61.70 per person and includes all drinks, entry/admission, and an in-person guide. Meals and snacks are not included.

Where do I start the tour?

You start at Little Martha Brewpub, 23 Oxford St, Bristol BS2 0QT, UK.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Left Handed Giant St Philips Brewery & Tap Room, Wadehurst Industrial Park, Unit 3 St Philips Rd, Bristol BS2 0JE, UK.

What time does the tour begin?

All tours start at 1:30pm.

Are there age requirements?

Yes. You must be 18+. If you look under 25, you’ll need to show ID.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers.

What if the weather is bad?

The tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.