One stop is never enough for beer lovers. You’ll get 12 beer tastings plus a burger dinner with chips, all wrapped into guided backstage tours across Hull and Aylmer. I love the mix of learning and eating, but this is very much an alcohol-centered evening—so come ready to pace yourself.

The whole night is set up to be easy from Ottawa and Gatineau: pickup from downtown, a small group (up to 14 people), and an English-forward guide experience. In at least one recent group, guide Brandon made a point of looping in non-French speakers so nobody felt left out, which matters when you’re touring breweries in Quebec.

Key things I’d circle before you book

• 12 tastings in 4 hours, across three brewery stops
• Backstage tours at every stop, including production/brew-room access
• Dinner included with burger and homemade chips, plus salad at the first brewery
• Pickup and round-trip transportation from downtown Ottawa & Gatineau
• Small group size (max 14), which helps you get real attention

A Four-Hour Craft Beer Run From Ottawa Into Quebec

This is one of those tours where the schedule actually makes sense for a weeknight: depart at 5:00 pm, keep moving, and still be back in time without turning the evening into a long slog. The total time runs about 4 hours, which is the sweet spot for tasting beer, eating dinner, and doing short brewery tours without feeling rushed.

What I like most is that you’re not just sampling beer. You’re getting a guided look at how it’s made—enough detail to sound smarter at the next bar you visit, without turning it into a technical lecture. If you want a social night that feels local to Quebec (not just a stop-by stop tasting), this format fits.

The price is $99.15 per person, and it’s easiest to judge value by what’s actually included: transportation from Ottawa and Gatineau, a guide, 12 tastings, dinner, and backstage access at each stop. If you tried to recreate that yourself (ride + guide + tours + tastings + dinner), it would likely cost more and feel more stressful.

First Stop in Hull: À La Dérive Tastings Plus a Real Dinner

You start in Hull at À La Dérive Brasserie Artisanale, and this stop sets the tone: tasting first, then a proper meal. You’ll get 4 beer tastings here, which is enough variety to sample styles without getting buried in one over-strong pour.

Then comes dinner: a pulled pork burger, homemade chips, and garden salad. That’s a big deal for a beer tour. Beer can sneak up on you; food helps you enjoy the flavors instead of just chasing the next sip to catch up. Also, the tour notes vegetarian and vegan options, so you’re not stuck if you don’t eat meat.

One practical thing: you’ll likely sit and eat earlier in the evening than at typical bar crawls. That’s a plus. You’ll be able to reset and keep the rest of the night enjoyable rather than heading into the next brewery already “tired.”

How to make this stop work for you

• Take notes on what you like, because later beers will start to blend if you don’t jot anything down.
• If you’re tempted by everything, pace yourself: you have multiple tasting rounds ahead.

Gallicus in Quebec: Oak Barrels and a Private Production Room Tour

Next up is Brasserie Artisanale Gallicus, and this is where the tour leans into the craft side. You’ll get 4 tastings plus a private tour of their production room. That behind-the-scenes access is exactly what turns a casual tasting into something you can talk about later.

Gallicus also has a specific identity: they’re known for using oak barrels and for constantly experimenting with beers. In plain terms, oak barrel methods can bring extra layers—spice, vanilla-like notes, woodiness, and a different kind of depth compared to plain fermentation alone. You don’t need to be an expert to appreciate the difference. The guide will help you connect the taste to the process.

This stop is also where you’ll likely notice the pacing of the evening. The tour runs on short, focused segments—about 1 hour here—so you’re tasting and learning without losing the social fun. It’s a good balance: enough structure to make it feel intentional, enough freedom that you still get to chat with your group and guide.

Possible drawback to plan for

Because this is Quebec and brewery staff are working, expect a tour vibe that may be a bit more workshop-like than party-like. If you want loud, playful energy at every second, you may have to lean into the quiet curiosity for a bit.

5e Baron in Old Aylmer: Brew-Room Behind the Scenes and a Full Beer

You finish at 5e Baron – Microbrasserie, located in the Old Aylmer community. This stop feels like the most “hang out and learn” moment. You get 2 tastings plus a full beer, and you’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at their brew room.

That mix—two tastings and then one full pour—is smart late in the tour. By now you’ll have favorites. A full beer lets you actually enjoy a style you chose rather than only sampling. And because the stop is designed for relaxation, it’s a nice landing before the ride back.

The tour also calls out the atmosphere here as a place to relax while you learn about brewing. That matters because by the last stop, a lot of beer tours start to feel repetitive. This one tries to reset the mood with a calmer environment and a slightly different tasting structure.

Tips for this last stop

• Decide early which beer you want your full pour to be.
• If you’ve been drinking faster than you planned, treat the “full beer” like the finale it is. Sipping slowly keeps it fun.

The Real Value: 12 Tastings, Dinner, Snacks, and Transportation

Here’s the value math that matters in real life: this isn’t just beer. You’re getting round-trip transportation from downtown Ottawa & Gatineau, a guide, backstage tours at each brewery, unlimited snacks in the minibus, and dinner.

That snack factor sounds small, but it makes the night easier. Your tastings will hit in different moments, and having something on hand in the vehicle keeps energy steadier. It also gives you a way to handle one of the most common problems on beer tours: the “I didn’t eat enough before we started” slump.

Food + drinks together are also why this tour works for most people. Beer tours can quickly become one-note if you only focus on alcohol. Here, dinner plus chips plus salad gives you a break in taste and texture so you keep enjoying the range of beers.

And because the group is capped at 14, the experience doesn’t turn into a factory line of strangers. You should get enough attention to feel like your questions matter, rather than just tagging along.

Timing, Pickup From Downtown Ottawa & Gatineau, and What to Bring

The start time is 5:00 pm, which is helpful because you can still do daytime plans and not feel like the tour eats your whole day. Pickup is offered, and you’ll receive a pickup time window (typically within 10 minutes) sent by email 45 minutes before the tour begins.

If you’re staying somewhere that isn’t obvious for pickup, the tour says you can message them with your address or even a map screenshot so they can confirm it. That’s a good sign of practical customer service—because most tour hassles come down to “Where do I actually meet?”

You’ll also get a mobile ticket, which usually cuts down on the “find the paper voucher” stress.

What should you bring? The tour notes that the email includes recommended things to bring and what to expect. Since the evening is outside of Ottawa proper and you’re moving around in wintery Quebec weather more than once, pack like it’s cold until you’re inside a brewery. In one group note, the guide team even sounded relieved that cold didn’t derail the fun—so dress for comfort on the ride and any short waits.

How the English Experience Works When Quebec Is French-Speaking

One concern people sometimes have on Quebec tours is language. The good news here: the tour is offered in English. And in at least one recent group, guide Brandon was specifically praised for making sure a non-French speaker felt involved and not left out.

That tells me the guide is paying attention to group dynamics, not just delivery of facts. You’ll likely get explanations in a way that helps you follow along even if you don’t speak French, and you can still ask questions without feeling awkward.

If you do speak a little French, you’ll have even more fun with the environment. But it’s not required to get value from the tour.

Who This Tour Is Best For (and Who Might Skip It)

This is best for you if:

• You want craft beer tastings with real brewery access
• You like structured group nights but still want a friendly vibe
• You’d rather sit down for dinner than do a pure stand-and-sip bar crawl

It’s less ideal if:

• You don’t drink alcohol or want a non-alcohol version (the tour includes alcoholic beverages)
• You prefer to control your pace and go at your own speed
• You want a tasting that focuses on only one brewery or one style (this is a three-brewery rotation)

The tour also fits well for people who want to get to Quebec from Ottawa without spending effort figuring out transport. The round-trip ride handles that part.

Should You Book the Quebec Craft Beer Tour From Ottawa & Gatineau?

I’d book this if your goal is a fun, guided craft beer night that also teaches you something. The mix of 12 tastings, backstage tours, and dinner makes it feel like more than a casual drinking tour, and the small group size helps the guide keep things personal.

I’d think twice if you’re sensitive to alcohol quantity or you hate being on a set schedule. This is paced for enjoying multiple tastings in a limited time. If you’re the type who gets tired fast after a couple drinks, go slower than you think you need to.

If you like beer, want an easy ride from Ottawa/Gatineau, and enjoy learning while you eat, this tour is a solid choice.

FAQ

What time does the Quebec Craft Beer Tour start?

The tour starts at 5:00 pm.

How long is the tour?

The duration is approximately 4 hours.

Is pickup available from Ottawa and Gatineau?

Yes. Round-trip transportation is included, with pickup from downtown Ottawa & Gatineau. Pickup timing details are emailed to you before the tour.

What’s the meeting/pickup timing?

You’ll receive a pickup time (typically within a 10-minute window) sent by email 45 minutes before the tour begins.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

What food and drink are included?

The tour includes alcoholic beverages (12 beer tastings), dinner with a burger and homemade chips, plus unlimited snacks in the minibus. Vegetarian and vegan options are available.

Do you tour inside the breweries?

Yes. You get backstage tours at each brewery, including tours of their production/brew areas.

How many people are in the group?

The maximum group size is 14 travelers.

Is there a mobile ticket?

Yes. The tour includes a mobile ticket.