Calgary Brewery Tour

Calgary’s craft beer scene comes into focus one brewery at a time on this compact tour. You visit three local breweries in about three and a half hours, with a flight of samples included at each stop and an air-conditioned vehicle handling the transfers.

I like the small maximum group of 14 people, which should make the ride and brewery visits easier to manage. I also like the local touch from guide Conner, who points out places of interest while driving between breweries. The main drawback is the fixed schedule: 45 minutes at each brewery gives you a useful taste, but not much time to linger.

Key points to know

• Three breweries in one afternoon: Bow River Brewing, OT Brewing Company, and Born Brewing Co. each get about 45 minutes.
• Three included beer flights: You receive one flight of beer samples at every brewery.
• Small-group format: The vehicle holds no more than 14 people.
• Guide Conner adds local context: The drive includes points of interest around Calgary, not just brewery transfers.
• Downtown meeting point: The tour begins and ends at the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Calgary Downtown.
• Plan ahead: It is booked an average of 59 days in advance, so last-minute spaces may be limited.

Three Calgary breweries in three and a half hours

This is a tasting tour first, and a brewery tour second. You are not given a long technical lesson at one production facility. Instead, you move through three different Calgary beer rooms, sample several beers at each, and let the contrast between the breweries shape the afternoon.

The tour lasts about 3 hours and 30 minutes. Each brewery receives 45 minutes, for a total of 2 hours and 15 minutes on site. The remaining time covers driving, boarding, and transitions. That rhythm keeps the day moving without turning it into a rushed checklist.

I see this as a good way to sample Calgary’s brewing scene when you have limited time. You can try a range of beer styles without arranging transportation between breweries or deciding who will drive. You also get a little city orientation along the way, since Conner points out places of interest from the vehicle.

The schedule does ask you to keep an eye on the clock. A 45-minute stop is enough for a flight and a short look around, but it is not designed for a long meal, extended conversation with brewery staff, or a leisurely second round.

Bow River Brewing starts the tasting

Bow River Brewing is the first stop. The brewery has eight beers on tap, along with seasonal selections, so the flight can offer a broad sample of its current lineup.

That variety matters. If you are still figuring out your Calgary beer preferences, a larger tap list gives you a better chance of finding something that suits you. The available beers may include familiar styles such as lagers and IPAs, and seasonal beers can add something less predictable to the tasting.

You receive one flight of beer samples here as part of the tour. The pours have been described as generous in size, so you should expect more than a token taste. Still, the exact beer choices can change with the tap list and season.

The 45-minute stop works well as an opening round. You can get settled, sample the beers, and begin comparing what you taste with the next two breweries. If you prefer to study every label or order extra drinks, this part of the schedule may feel brief.

OT Brewing Company brings a different stop

The second visit is OT Brewing Company. Its description centers on taking a moment to enjoy a good brew, which fits the tour’s middle-stop role. By this point, you have already sampled one brewery and can start paying attention to differences in beer style, setting, and approach.

The supplied information does not list a fixed number of taps or a specific beer lineup at OT Brewing Company. That is worth keeping in mind if you are booking mainly for one particular beer. The included flight gives you a chance to try what is being served, but the exact selection is not promised.

You receive another 45-minute visit and another included flight. I like the structure because you are not dependent on one brewery having the perfect beer for your taste. Three stops spread the risk, and the range of IPAs and lagers mentioned for the tour gives you a familiar place to begin comparing.

The practical tip is simple: pace yourself. You will be sampling at three locations, and the portions can be generous. Treat the flights as tastings rather than three full rounds, especially if you want to stay comfortable for the entire ride.

Born Brewing Co. closes with a social feel

Born Brewing Co. is the final stop. Its stated aim is to give people a place to connect with Calgary, share good beer, and swap stories. That makes it a fitting end to a small-group outing, when everyone has already had time to get acquainted.

The brewery presents itself as a social place where strangers can become friends over beer. You should not read that as a guarantee of a particular event or entertainment program. It simply suggests that the atmosphere is part of the visit, along with the beer itself.

Your third flight is included here. With three tastings behind you, this is a good point to think about which styles you preferred and which brewery you might want to revisit on your own. The 45-minute limit remains in place, so you may need to choose between lingering over the final flight and spending more time chatting.

Born Brewing Co. also gives the tour a clear sense of place. The outing is not only about sampling alcohol. It is about seeing how local breweries create spaces for people to meet, sit, and build a connection with the city.

What the included beer flights are worth

The $89.71 price includes one flight at each of the three breweries. That is the heart of the value. You are not paying only for a ride between taprooms, and you do not need to buy three separate tasting flights during the afternoon.

You also receive transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle. That matters in Calgary when you want to keep the group together and avoid arranging a designated driver. The tour begins and ends at the same downtown hotel, so you are not left finding your way back from the last brewery.

The value is strongest if you plan to visit several breweries anyway. On your own, you would need to organize the route, account for transportation, manage timing, and decide how to sample responsibly. Here, those pieces are arranged for you.

The value is weaker if you want a slow, detailed brewery tour with plenty of free time. The fee does not include gratuity, and hotel pickup is not provided. You should budget for a tip if the service suits you, and you must reach the meeting point on your own.

Conner adds more than transportation

Guide Conner is an important part of the experience. While driving around Calgary, he points out places of interest rather than treating the vehicle as a silent shuttle.

That extra context helps connect the breweries to the city around them. You get a short moving introduction to Calgary between tastings, and the drive breaks up the afternoon. The available information does not provide a full sightseeing route, so you should think of these comments as added local orientation, not a separate city tour.

Conner also discusses the beers and helps explain what you are tasting. His role is useful for anyone who knows only a little about craft beer and wants more guidance than a printed tap list provides.

The tour is offered in English. If you want a guide who can help keep the visit organized, explain the samples, and add some city notes during the ride, this format should suit you.

A small group makes the schedule easier

The group is limited to 14 people. That is small enough to make boarding and brewery transitions more manageable than they would be with a large coach group.

A smaller group can also make the tasting more social. You have fewer people to keep track of, and it should be easier to hear the guide and compare impressions with the people around you. The exact vehicle layout and seating arrangement are not specified, so do not assume that every seat has the same view.

The tour uses a mobile ticket, which keeps check-in simple. You need to arrive at the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Calgary Downtown, at 239 12 Ave SW. Hotel pickup is not included, but the meeting point is near public transportation.

The experience ends back at that same meeting point. That return is useful if you are staying downtown or want to continue exploring Calgary from a familiar location.

Who will enjoy this brewery outing

I would recommend this tour to you if you want an easy introduction to Calgary breweries and prefer someone else to manage the driving. It suits beer drinkers who enjoy trying several styles rather than committing to one taproom for an entire afternoon.

It is also a practical choice for visitors who have only a short stay. Three and a half hours leaves room for other plans before or after the tour, while three brewery stops give you a stronger sample of the city’s beer scene than one visit would.

The tour may also work well for a group of friends. The included flights remove the need to coordinate individual tasting orders, and the shared ride lets everyone sample together.

I would be more cautious about booking it if you are looking for a full meal, a detailed production walk-through, or a long stay at any single brewery. Those details are not part of the stated program. You should also consider your drinking pace, since three flights arrive during one afternoon.

Practical details before you book

Confirmation arrives at the time of booking, and the ticket is mobile. You do not need to arrange a hotel transfer, but you do need to reach the downtown meeting point independently.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The tour is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying elsewhere in Calgary. No further mobility details are provided, so you should contact the operator if you need specific information about vehicle access or brewery facilities.

The experience is offered in English. It is generally booked about 59 days in advance, which is a useful planning clue. If your Calgary dates are fixed, booking early makes sense, especially because the group is capped at 14.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund. That gives you some room to adjust plans, but the cutoff still matters.

Should you book the Calgary Brewery Tour?

Book this tour if you want three Calgary brewery stops, three included flights, round-trip transportation, and a guide who adds city context between tastings. The $89.71 price is easiest to justify when you value convenience and do not want to drive.

Skip it if you prefer to set your own pace or spend a whole afternoon at one brewery. The 45-minute stops are efficient, but they leave little room for lingering. For a first look at Calgary’s craft beer scene, though, this is a sensible, social introduction with a clear plan and manageable group size.

FAQ

How long does the Calgary Brewery Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Which breweries does the tour visit?

The tour visits Bow River Brewing, OT Brewing Company, and Born Brewing Co.

How long do you spend at each brewery?

You spend approximately 45 minutes at each brewery.

Are beer samples included?

Yes. One flight of beer samples is included for each person at each of the three breweries.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transportation is provided in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Calgary Downtown, 239 12 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta T2R 1H7, Canada.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends back at the original meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup is not included.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 14 people.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.