The Old Town Breweries and Distilleries Tour

Fort Collins has a serious beer reputation, but this small-group tour adds spirits to the mix. In about two hours, you visit Mobb Mountain Distillers and Hello Brew Company, learning how alcohol is made while hearing how it fits into the story of Old Town.

I like the compact route and the balance between a distillery and a mom-and-pop brewery. I also like that the group is limited to 10 people, which should make it easier to ask questions. The catch is simple: alcohol is not included, so tastings and drinks cost extra, and you must be at least 21 with proof of age.

Key points to know before booking

• Two different stops: Compare the work of distilling spirits with the smaller-scale craft of brewing beer.
• Old Town starting point: Meet at 19 Old Town Square at 2:00 pm and finish back there.
• A personal guide matters: Shane has been praised for explaining both Fort Collins history and the role alcohol played in it.
• Drinks cost extra: The tour covers instruction and admission, not alcoholic beverages. Each venue may offer specials.
• Small group size: A maximum of 10 people creates a more personal setting than a large bus tour.
• Adults only: Every participant must be 21 or older and ready to show identification.

Why this two-hour Fort Collins tour works

This experience is best understood as a guided introduction rather than a full afternoon of drinking. You get two stops, about 30 minutes at each, and a guide who connects the production methods to Fort Collins.

That distinction matters. If you want several hours of tastings, food, and free time at multiple breweries, this tour may feel brief. If you want a tidy way to learn where beer and spirits fit into Old Town, the two-hour format is useful.

The experience begins at 19 Old Town Square, right in the center of Fort Collins. It returns to that same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate pickup or figure out where the tour ends. The meeting time is 2:00 pm, giving you a clear afternoon plan.

The group limit of 10 is one of the better practical features. A smaller group allows the guide to explain equipment and answer questions without turning every stop into a lecture. It also makes the experience less awkward for anyone who is interested in the process but does not know much about beer or spirits yet.

Mobb Mountain Distillers: a 30-minute look at spirits

The first stop is Mobb Mountain Distillers, where you learn about the distilling process. Admission is included, but alcohol is not. The venue may offer specials for you to purchase, so bring a payment method if you want to sample or order a drink.

The value here is the chance to see how a distillery differs from a brewery. Beer begins with a brewing process, while spirits require distillation to concentrate alcohol. The tour description does not promise a specific spirit, production scale, or tasting flight, so you should treat this as an educational stop rather than assume a full tasting experience.

Thirty minutes is enough for a focused explanation, especially in a group of no more than 10. It is not enough for a long technical class or an extended visit with several pours. I would see this part as a useful introduction for anyone who has visited breweries but has never had a clear explanation of how a distillery works.

You also get a chance to connect the production method to the place itself. Fort Collins is known for craft drinks, and adding a distillery to the route keeps the tour from becoming a standard brewery crawl. The contrast gives the afternoon more variety.

If you are mainly interested in beer, this stop may be less exciting than the brewery. If you are curious about spirits, it gives you a second point of comparison and helps explain why different drinks require different production methods.

Hello Brew Company: a small brewery with an inventive side

The second stop is Hello Brew Company, described as a small, mom-and-pop brewery. You can expect a selection that includes familiar standard beers along with more inventive brews.

That mix is important. A brewery with standard choices gives you a safe point of entry, while unusual beers let you try something outside your normal order. The exact beer selection can change, so do not book this expecting one particular style to be available.

The tour includes a guided explanation of the brewing process. Alcoholic drinks are extra, but Hello Brew Company may offer specials for the group. You should ask the guide or venue staff what is available before ordering, since the tour itself does not include beverages.

I like the local scale of this stop. A small brewery can feel more personal than a large production facility, and the focus is likely to be on the people, methods, and choices behind the beer. The information provided does not promise a meal or food pairing, so plan this as a drinks-and-learning stop, not a substitute for lunch.

The 30-minute visit keeps the pace moving. You get a taste of the brewery’s character without spending the whole afternoon in one room. At the same time, beer fans who want a long tasting session may wish for more time.

The guide and the story behind Old Town drinks

A strong guide is especially important on a short tour. There is not enough time for the guide to cover every technical detail, so clear explanations and good local context make a real difference.

Shane has been praised for explaining Fort Collins history and the role alcohol played in that story. If Shane leads your group, you can expect the tour to include more than a description of tanks, ingredients, and distilling equipment. You may also hear how drinking and production fit into the town’s past.

That local connection is one of the most appealing parts of the experience. You are not simply moving from one beverage business to another. You are learning how the town’s identity and alcohol culture developed alongside each other.

The tour does not list a fixed guide for every departure, so I would not book solely on the assumption that Shane will lead your group. Still, the format gives a local guide room to make the history useful and specific rather than treating the stops as unrelated businesses.

What the included admission really covers

The tour includes guided instruction about brewing and distilling, along with admission to both stops. Alcoholic beverages are separate.

That arrangement is common for a production tour, but it changes how you should judge the value. You are paying for access, structure, and explanation, not an all-inclusive tasting package. Your final spending depends on whether you buy drinks or take advantage of specials at either venue.

Because no tour price is provided here, I cannot calculate a precise cost per stop. The sensible comparison is this: you receive two guided visits, a local history component, and a small-group format in two hours. If you value context and a planned route, that can be worthwhile. If your main goal is the maximum number of pours, paying separately for drinks may make the experience feel less economical.

You should also decide in advance how much you want to drink. Since the tour ends where it begins and takes place near public transportation, you have a practical way to avoid driving after drinking. The information provided does not promise transportation between stops, so be ready for the route to involve walking around Old Town.

Timing, meeting point, and group size

The meeting point is 19 Old Town Square, Fort Collins, Colorado, with a 2:00 pm start. The activity ends back at that location.

That central start and finish are helpful if you are already exploring Old Town. You can plan other activities around the tour without arranging a taxi pickup at the end. The tour lasts approximately two hours, though you should allow a little flexibility around the stated duration.

A maximum of 10 people is a strong fit for anyone who dislikes crowded tastings. You should have a better chance to hear the guide, ask about the brewing or distilling process, and move between stops without the delay of a large group.

The tour is offered in English. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. It is also near public transportation. The information does not specify the exact walking distance, step-free route, or seating at each venue, so contact the operator if those details are important to you.

Who will get the most from this experience

I would recommend this tour to an adult who wants an organized introduction to Fort Collins’ drink culture. It suits a first-time visitor who wants local context, a beer fan curious about distilling, or a couple looking for a short afternoon activity.

It is also a good option if you prefer conversation and explanation over a large tasting event. The small group gives the guide more room to adjust the discussion to the people present.

You may want something else if you are seeking a full brewery crawl, a large number of samples, or a meal built into the outing. The tour includes two stops, and the drinks are purchased separately. That makes it focused, but not a complete evening itinerary.

Since all participants must be 21 or older and show proof of age, this is strictly an adults-only activity. A driver should avoid drinking, or you should use public transportation or another safe way to get around.

Weather, cancellation, and booking flexibility

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The same choice applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the 2:00 pm start are not accepted for a refund.

That policy is reasonable for a small operation with scheduled venues, but it means you should avoid booking it too close to a changing outdoor plan. Confirmation is provided at booking, so check the meeting details and age requirement as soon as you reserve.

Should you book the Old Town Breweries and Distilleries Tour?

Book it if you want a short, well-structured introduction to Fort Collins drinks, with both beer and spirits in the same outing. The central meeting point, return to Old Town Square, English-language guiding, and 10-person limit all make it easy to fit into an afternoon.

The strongest reason to choose it is the mix of local history and production knowledge. A guide such as Shane can turn the route into a story about Fort Collins, not just a sequence of drink stops.

Skip it if you expect alcohol to be included or want a long tasting session. You will pay separately for drinks, and each stop lasts about 30 minutes. For curious adults who value local context and a manageable pace, it offers a sensible way to sample the city’s brewing and distilling culture without giving up an entire day.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at 19 Old Town Square, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 2:00 pm.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends back at the meeting point in Old Town Square.

Which venues are included?

The tour visits Mobb Mountain Distillers and Hello Brew Company.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included, though each venue may offer specials for you to purchase.

How old must participants be?

All participants must be at least 21 years old and must provide proof of age.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 10 participants.

Is cancellation free?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.