Beer with a side of local lore. This 2.5-hour downtown Colorado Springs brewery tour turns lunchtime into a guided tasting route with VIP access at three stops, plus complimentary beer flights and food pairings that can genuinely cover lunch. I also like that the guide keeps things easy while adding local color, and you may end up with a host in the style of guides like Behr, Adam, Samantha, or Peter—people who clearly know how to make the Springs feel understandable fast.

You’ll taste 10+ beers across three breweries and get time with the staff and brew folks, not just a quick pour and a goodbye. The one real consideration: this isn’t a strong fit for gluten-free diners, so if that’s you, you’ll want to skip or double-check with the operator before booking.

Key Highlights (Quick Takes)

• Small group, max 12 people for a more personal, question-friendly outing
• VIP access at all three breweries with reserved seating and tasting time
• 3 beer flights plus food pairings that add up to a meal, not just snacks
• Meet the brewers and staff while you learn how beers get built and chosen
• Art and history walk between stops to tie the breweries into the neighborhood story

Why This Tour Feels Better Than a Random Brewery Crawl

This isn’t the usual scattershot plan where you try to hop between places on your own and hope you find a table. The tour is built around a tight downtown loop with three planned brewery stops and a guide who keeps the whole afternoon moving. The small-group cap of 12 matters more than you might think: you get time to ask questions, and the vibe stays social instead of loud and rushed.

It also works because the tour is designed to remove the decision fatigue. You don’t have to guess which beer to try first or whether a style “counts” as a good tasting experience. Your guide nudges you toward what’s available, what’s interesting, and what pairs well with the food courses—so even if you’re not a hardcore beer nerd, you’ll still end up feeling like you learned something.

Price and Value: Getting More Than Just Beer

At $68 per person, the math makes sense if you look at what’s included. You’re paying for three separate beer flights (with 10+ different beers total), plus savory and sweet pairings that are meant to cover lunch-level hunger. That’s already a big chunk of typical tasting cost when you price flights and food ala carte at breweries.

On top of the tastings, you also get:

• Admission tickets at each of the three brewery stops
• Fun beer facts and trivia throughout
• A commemorative brewery tour sticker
• An art-and-history walk between breweries
• A guide who helps you connect the beer to the people and the place

A quiet but important value point: each stop is timed so you’re not waiting around for half the tour to pass. In a normal visit, you might stand in line, order separately, and then spend time figuring out what to do next. Here, the tour handles the pacing, so you get more tasting time in less stress.

The 2.5-Hour Route: What the Afternoon Timeline Looks Like

The tour starts at 12:00 pm at the Mining Exchange (8 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs) and ends at the Carter Payne (320 S Weber St). The end point can be subject to change, but it’s still within the same downtown area.

Expect about 45 minutes at each brewery stop, with time for an art and history walk between them. That structure does two helpful things:

1. You get enough time to taste and talk without feeling stuck at one location too long.
2. The inter-brewery walking segment keeps the experience from turning into three identical drink sessions.

If you like walking through neighborhoods and picking up background details, this part is one of the smarter design choices. It helps the breweries feel connected to downtown Colorado Springs instead of feeling like random stops with matching menus.

Stop 1: Red Swing Brewhouse and the Maple-Swing Story

Your first stop is Red Swing Brewhouse, where the theme is tied to family and place. They’re known for honoring a red swing hanging from a 50-year-old maple, which becomes more than a quirky photo moment. It signals the kind of brewery culture they’re aiming for: creative beers plus a community feel.

In practice, the stop is set up for tasting right away. You’ll get a ticketed entry and join your guide for a tasting flight, and you should expect the conversation to lean toward how they create and adjust flavors. This is a good opening brewery because it sets the tone for the day—more welcoming and story-forward than “here’s a flight, good luck.”

One possible drawback for some people: because the vibe here is community-minded, the energy can feel more relaxed and chatty. If you prefer ultra-serious beer judging, you might have to ask for specific style details rather than waiting for them to dominate the room. That said, the format still keeps you on schedule.

Stop 2: Brass Brewing Company, Veteran-Owned With a Cause

Next up is Brass Brewing Company, a U.S. veteran-owned brewery with a chill, no-pressure feel. They run a 7-barrel setup, which gives you a chance to experience a brewery that’s scaled for craft attention rather than factory output.

What I like about this stop is that the story isn’t only branding. Brass Brewing Company donates 1% of profits to organizations that serve veterans. That means your tasting comes with context: you’re supporting a business that has a mission beyond beer sales.

Tasting-wise, you’ll receive another ticketed brewery stop and join your guide for your second flight experience as part of the overall tour structure. The guide’s job here is to help you connect what you’re tasting with what the brewery is trying to do, so it’s not just random sips. If you’re the type who likes learning the “why” behind flavors—more than just what they taste like—this middle stop usually delivers.

Stop 3: The Carter Payne Church Finish at Local Relic

Your final stop is The Carter Payne, where the concept is as memorable as the beers: it’s beer in an old church. The brewery scene here is anchored by Local Relic, an artisan brewery that’s one of five tenants inside the historic Carter Payne church.

This ending stop tends to land with people because the setting changes the whole feel. Instead of another brick-and-steel tasting room, you’re stepping into a building with a past—and that makes the final flight more of an experience than a checklist item.

It’s also the stop where you’ll likely get the most “meal-like” pacing. The tour includes savory and sweet food pairings enough for lunch, and the way it’s described suggests the last location is where pairing details really come into focus. If you want your tasting to end with the strongest sense of why food and beer work together, plan to be fully present here, not rushing to just finish the last drinks.

The Real Win: Flights, Food Pairings, and Trivia That Don’t Feel Random

A lot of tours promise food, then quietly provide something that barely slows the hunger. This one is different. You’ll get savory and sweet food pairings meant to be enough for lunch, and they’re paired alongside your flights so you can taste the connection instead of eating separately.

The tour also includes beer facts and trivia, which might sound gimmicky. In reality, it’s helpful because it gives you a mental hook for what you’re tasting. When someone points out what to notice—balance, hops character, malt weight, and so on—you taste more actively. You don’t just sip; you compare.

And yes, your guide answers questions, plus you get access to brewers and staff. That “ask-and-learn” time is one of the most valuable parts for me. If you’ve ever visited breweries and wished you could ask: How did you decide on that recipe? What makes this style different?—this tour format is built for that kind of back-and-forth.

Logistics That Matter: Weather, Mobility, and Fit

This experience requires good weather, so if you’re visiting in a rainy stretch, be ready for possible date changes or refund options if the weather doesn’t cooperate. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. It’s also noted as near public transportation, which helps if you don’t want to deal with parking.

You’ll also be outdoors part of the time, including the art and history walk between breweries. That doesn’t mean it’s a strenuous hike, but it does mean your choice of footwear matters.

The big “no” is for gluten-free needs. The tour is not recommended for gluten-free travelers, so if you follow a strict gluten-free diet, you’ll want another plan.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Should Skip)

This tour is a great match if:

• You want a guided beer education without doing homework
• You’re new to Colorado Springs and want a quick orientation to downtown
• You like structured plans that still leave room for questions
• You want to taste multiple breweries without juggling reservations

It’s not the best fit if:

• You’re gluten-free
• You only want beer, not food pairings (the tour is built around meal-like pacing)
• You prefer independent exploration with zero schedule and no group setting

Should You Book This Downtown Colorado Springs Brewery Tour?

If you like beer and you want a small-group day that covers three breweries without the usual chaos, I’d book it. The pricing feels fair because you’re not just paying for drinks; you’re paying for flights, food pairings, and real access to staff and brewers, with a guide who keeps the afternoon from turning into a guessing game.

My decision tip is simple: choose this if you want a guided tasting that also teaches you how to read beer and pair it with food. Skip it if you need gluten-free options, since the tour isn’t recommended for that situation.

FAQ

How long is the Downtown Colorado Springs brewery tour?

It runs about 2 hours 30 minutes.

How many breweries does the tour stop at?

You’ll visit three breweries: Red Swing Brewhouse, Brass Brewing Company, and The Carter Payne.

What’s included with the ticket?

The tour includes 3 beer flights (10+ beers total), savory and sweet food pairings (enough for lunch), beer trivia, a sticker, and an art and history walk between breweries.

Is the tour recommended for gluten-free travelers?

No. The tour is not recommended for gluten free travelers.

How big is the group?

The experience is limited to a maximum of 12 travelers.

What’s the start location and time?

The tour starts at the Mining Exchange, 8 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903, at 12:00 pm.