WORLDWIDE · HISTORICAL TOURS
Every trip has one free afternoon too few. These 15 beer history tours justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to the glass.
Meet your German-speaking guide at AGIL Lädla by Domplatz for a 1.5-hour walk through Bamberg’s brewing past. See the Domberg, Sandstraße, Eisgrube, and old beer-war sites. Add four 0.1-liter samples for €5, including Bamberg’s smoked beer.
“Pünktlich, sehr netter Guide mit viel Fachwissen, toll erklärt!”
Meet your guide near Heumarkt and visit four traditional Old Town brewhouses. Order a Kölsch at each stop, learn why Cologne’s beer servers are called Köbes, and hear local stories from guides such as Nico, Mery, Chris, and Marina. Drinks cost extra.
“So much fun! Great way to see the brewpubs and meet fellow travelers! Tour guide was awesome!”
Walk through Pilsen’s 13th-century cellars, passageways, wells, and historic water tower with an English or German guide. See old brewing and storage spaces, learn how the underground aided defense, and finish with a 0.3l Pilsner Urquell voucher for visitors aged 18 and over.
Spend about three hours walking through Friedrichshain with guides such as Alex, Chris, Mike, or Rafael. Visit three beer venues, taste up to nine local brews, share vegetarian or vegan snacks, and learn how East Berlin shaped Berlin’s beer and street culture.
“This was a great tour! It is a good introduction to Berlin and craft beer and, in case you're worried, you definitely don't have to be an aficionado of craft beer. Chris, our guide for the evening, was hugely knowledgeable, poetic even, and imparted his knowledge in an interesting and clear manner with the all important samples to illustrate the points! The tour is well planned and paced, we visited three breweries, but never felt rushed and there is plenty of time for chatting and munching on the very nice snacks!”
Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with a beer-focused guide such as Wag, Iain, Christy, Sara, or Mhairi. Visit about three pubs, taste Scottish beer styles including cask ale and sour beer, and hear stories about brewing, trade, architecture, and the city’s past. Tastings are included.
“Iain did a great job talking us through the different styles of beers produced in scotland. We got to do a small tour around Edinburgh as well. Great time trying super unique beers :) Would recommend”
Start in Bruges’ Markt at 10 a.m. for a 3.5-hour walk through the medieval center, with a praline demonstration at Depla Chocolatier and a brewery visit at Bourgogne des Flandres. Guides such as Louis, Martin, Helga, and Nicholas bring local stories to life. Expect one beer and modest chocolate samples.
“My husband and I took this Best of Bruges tour on Christmas Eve (12/24/19) and we had a wonderful time getting to know more about the city. Our guide, Nicholas, was an excellent storyteller, and we learned so much about the history, culture, and people of Bruges. Our tour lasted approximately four hours and consisted of a chocolate demonstration/tasting, a sampling at one of the local breweries, and a crash course on the city's long and fascinating history. Nicholas walked us all over the historic district and delivered background information on major sites, buildings, and events in an entertaining and engaging way. We highly recommend this tour (and Nicholas) to…”
Start near St Giles’ Cathedral and follow an English, German, or French-speaking guide through Edinburgh’s Old Town, Royal Mile, Canongate, and Grassmarket. Visit three pubs, taste Scottish beers, and learn how brewing shaped the city. Guides such as Tilly, Sarah, Tom, and Ian tailor tastings to your preferences.
“very friendly and knowledgeable guide. beer tasted great too. I learned a lot.”
Start at the Hockey Hall of Fame and walk through Old Town Toronto with a beer-focused guide such as Jordan, Kieran, Dave, or Jason. Visit three distinctive pubs, enjoy two included small beers, browse St. Lawrence Market, and finish in the Distillery District.
“Dave is an excellent guide, he is extremely knowledgeable and engaging. We had a great day learning about Toronto and enjoying local beer!”
Join a group of no more than eight for a three-hour walk through St. Augustine with beer tastings at three locations, local snacks, and stories about old homes, Aviles Street, the Plaza, and the Castillo. Guides such as Alex and Steve add personal history and food tips.
“Alex was very personable and knowledgeable about the city’s history. We enjoyed the entire experience. The beer selections were great - a wide variety. And the snacks were perfectly timed.”
Walk Bamberg’s old town through the story of hops, malt, and rauchbier, then visit Schlenkerla brewery at Stephansberg. A German-speaking guide such as Erik or Doris explains the brewing process before a 0.1-liter Zwickelbier tasting. Expect hills, stairs, and an 8°C fermentation cellar.
“Sehr schöne Tour mit einem kompetenten Tourguide. Keine Frage blieb unbeantwortet. Man merkte ihm an, dass er für Bamberg und die Bierbrautradition brennt. Für die Tour sollte man einigermaßen fitt und gut zu Fuß sein, da es schon ziemlich bergauf ging und bei der Brauereibesichtigung etliche Treppenstufen zu meistern sind.”
Ride through Wilmington with guide Eric, stopping at Waterline, Edward Teach, and Flytrap breweries, plus Thalian Hall, Oakdale Cemetery, the Riverwalk, Bellamy Mansion, and the courthouse. Expect local stories, about two optional beers, family-friendly equipment, and a four-hour route.
“This was one of the best tours I have taken. The bikes are a breeze I was able see so much of Wilmington. The guide was amazing. A definite must do!”
Join Mathilda, the cheerful barmaid guide, for a four-hour German-language walk through Dresden’s old city. See the Zwinger, Semper Opera, Hofkirche, Fürstenzug, castle, and Frauenkirche while tasting Zwickel, Radeberger, Feldschlösschen, and Saxon dishes.
“Die Tour war interessant und mit Humor gestaltet. Die Zwischenstationen zum Bier trinken und essen waren an sich sehr schön und nett, um einen Eindruck zu bekommen, wo man vielleicht mal einkehren möchte. Etwas unglücklich war hier jedoch das Zeitmanagement. So musste man das Bier meist gefühlt "runterstürzen" und hatte teilweise nur wenige Minuten in den Locations, der Weg dahin musste auch sehr zügig bestritten werden. Ich denke es wäre sinnvoller, insbesondere wenn man nur 6 Teilnehmende hat, zu erzählen, während man gemütlich weiterläuft. So müsste man nicht so hetzen und hätte mehr Zeit in den Locations.”
Walk through Bruges with an English-speaking storyteller, stopping at Markt and Burg Square while tasting two pralines, fries with mayonnaise, waffles, and a 15cl Belgian beer. Guide Pascal is praised for his city stories, food knowledge, friendly manner, and helpful tips.
“It was fantastic. Very casual. Hit all the best in chocolate, beer, fry’s and waffles. Guide was full of great stories and very familiar with the city and history. Great you!!!”
Join Lalli or Lella for a three-hour walk through central Reykjavik, linking Hallgrimskirkja, public art, City Hall, and Parliament with five food stops and local beer. Expect traditional dishes, generous portions, Icelandic stories, and a group capped at eight people.
“Loved Lolly and experiencing traditional Icelandic foods! He told us so much history and background of Iceland, the rest of our trip wouldn’t have been the same without this! 10/10 recommend”
Walk from George Square through Merchant City with a small group, visiting three pubs and tasting Scottish craft and traditional beers. Guides such as Mhairi, Iain, Leigh, and James explain Glasgow’s brewing past, beer styles, and tasting methods. The afternoon schedule leaves your evening free.
“Such a great afternoon! Fran did an excellent job of teaching us about the different types of beer. It was a very informative and tasty afternoon. A must do tour”
