Montreal Old Port: Craft Brewery and Beer Tasting Tour

Montreal’s Old Port is a fine place to learn that beer is more than a cold drink in a glass. This three-hour walking tour links three local breweries, nine samples, and three snacks, with guide Antoine adding stories about Montreal’s brewing past along the way. I like the direct access to a brewing facility and the easy pace between stops. I also like that the food is built into the tasting, from party mix to pretzel and cheese.

The main thing to consider is the amount of alcohol. Nine samples over three hours is not a quick flight at one bar, so eat beforehand, pace yourself, and wear comfortable shoes. The tour operates in all weather, and it is for adults only.

Key points at a glance

• Three Old Port breweries: Visit BreWskey Brasserie Artisanale, 3 Brasseurs St-Paul, and Bistro Brasserie les Soeurs Grises.
• Nine beer samples: Try three beers at each stop, with a mix of specialty brews and familiar styles.
• Three local snacks: Expect homemade party mix, a fresh pretzel, and local cheeses as the planned pairings.
• A walking tour with context: The short walks connect beer tasting with stories about Old Montreal.
• Brewing access: The tour includes special access to a brewing facility, not just a seat at a bar.
• Bilingual guiding: The tour is offered in English and French, with Antoine frequently leading the group.

Three breweries, one compact Old Port route

At $50 per person, this tour is priced as a guided tasting rather than a simple pub crawl. You are paying for nine pours, three food pairings, three brewery visits, a guide, local taxes, and access to a brewing facility. That makes the price reasonable if you would otherwise pay separately for several tasting flights and snacks.

The route also saves you planning time. You do not need to compare beer menus, work out which Old Port bars are worth visiting, or guess how much food to order. The stops are close enough to connect on foot, with one description of the route putting the walks at roughly 10 minutes between locations.

That walking matters. It breaks up the drinking and lets you see a little of Old Montreal between tastings. This is not a brewery tour in an industrial district. You are moving through one of Montreal’s best-known historic areas, hearing local stories as you go.

The pace sounds relaxed rather than rushed. You spend time at each brewery, then walk, talk, and reset before the next round. Still, the samples add up. Even small pours can make nine beers significant, especially if you are not used to tasting several styles in one afternoon.

Starting at BreWskey Taproom

Meet your guide inside BreWskey Taproom in the Old Port. If you do not spot the group at once, the brewery staff can direct you to the guide. This is a useful detail, since a taproom can be busy and the meeting point is indoors rather than on a street corner.

The first stop begins with three craft beer samples. The opening snack is homemade party mix, and one particularly specific food note from the tour is the roasted nuts served at BreWskey. That is a good match for beer: salty, crunchy food gives your palate something to work with without filling you up too early.

This first tasting sets the tone. You are not simply handed three glasses and left to make your own guesses. Antoine is known for explaining beer styles, brewing, and the ingredients behind what you are drinking. His style comes across as lively and friendly, with enough technical information to keep serious beer fans interested without turning the afternoon into a lecture.

Pay attention to the order of the samples. If the guide presents lighter beers before stronger or more unusual ones, that helps you notice the differences. You can also ask questions in either English or French. The tour is bilingual, and Antoine has led the explanation in both languages for mixed groups.

Walking through Old Montreal between tastings

The walks between breweries are part of the point. You get a change of scene, a few minutes without a glass in your hand, and a chance to hear about Montreal’s beer culture and the Old Port around you.

Do not expect a full city tour. The focus remains beer, but the guide adds historical facts as you move through the streets. That gives the route a stronger sense of place than a tasting held in one bar. You learn not only what is in the glass, but why Montreal is a good city for brewery visits.

The walking is manageable, but it is still worth wearing proper shoes. The tour lasts three hours, and you will be on your feet between stops. Bring weather-appropriate clothing, since the tour runs rain or shine. On a wet or cold day, the brewery interiors become especially welcome. On a warm day, the walks help keep the afternoon from feeling like three consecutive bar visits.

The group atmosphere can also shape the day. Past groups have included bachelor-party celebrations, couples, and people meeting other beer fans. The format encourages conversation, but you should book this expecting a social group setting rather than a private tasting.

Learning the brewing process at 3 Brasseurs St-Paul

The second stop is 3 Brasseurs St-Paul, described as a beautiful microbrewery. Here the focus shifts more directly to how beer is made. You get three additional samples and a fresh pretzel.

The pretzel is more than a token snack. After the first three beers and the walk, something warm and substantial helps. It also fits the setting and gives you a neutral, starchy bite between styles. If you are sensitive to spicy food or prefer gentle pairings, this stop may be the easiest one on the palate.

The brewing explanation is the main reason this stop earns its place. You can ask about the stages of brewing and how the finished beer reflects the process. For a first beer tour, this is useful groundwork. For an experienced beer drinker, the value is in having the guide connect the general process to the samples in front of you.

Beer selection is likely to be one of the tour’s strengths, but it is not fixed in a way that promises the same exact beers every time. The tasting has been described as a good mix of styles, including cloudy beers and a saison. One drinker did not care for the cloudy options, while finding the saison unexpectedly appealing. That is a fair warning: the tour may take you outside your usual order.

I like that uncertainty. A tasting should give you a reason to try something you would not normally choose. Just do not book this expecting nine versions of a familiar lager. The point is variety, and some styles may not suit your taste.

Finishing at Les Soeurs Grises

The final stop is Bistro Brasserie les Soeurs Grises, where you finish with three specialty beers and local cheeses. This is a pleasant way to close the tasting because cheese slows the pace and gives you a more filling bite after several samples.

The setting also shifts the mood. By the final stop, you have already learned the basic brewing vocabulary, tasted several styles, and walked through the Old Port. The last flight works as a chance to compare what you now notice in specialty beers.

Cheese is a flexible pairing, but it will not erase every sharp flavor. If you prefer light, crisp beers, a strong specialty beer may be more challenging than the first flight. That is part of the learning, and the guide can help explain why a particular beer works with the food.

The end of the tour appears intentionally unhurried. You finish the formal route at Les Soeurs Grises, and the relaxed format makes it easy to continue your afternoon in the Old Port afterward. You should not count on the tour as a full meal, though. The snacks add up, but you will want proper lunch or dinner before or after depending on your appetite.

What Antoine adds to the afternoon

A good beer route can still fall flat with a weak guide. Here, Antoine is the name that comes up repeatedly, and his role is central to the quality of the tour. He brings practical information about beer styles and brewing, plus stories about Montreal that make the walks useful rather than merely functional.

The strongest praise focuses on his enthusiasm and sense of humor. That matters because beer terminology can become dry fast. Antoine explains without making the group feel as though it is in a classroom, and he keeps the conversation moving between stops.

He also appears comfortable with mixed-language groups. The tour is available in English and French, and his bilingual delivery lets people follow along without needing separate tours. If you are booking with friends who are more comfortable in different languages, this is a real advantage.

The guide cannot control every part of the experience. Brewery crowds, the day’s beer selection, weather, and group chemistry will vary. But the route gives him several chances to make the afternoon personal, through questions, local context, and explanations of what is in each glass.

Nine samples and three snacks: is it enough?

For $50, the numbers are strong. You receive nine beer samples, food at all three stops, and a three-hour guided route. Compare that with buying three separate tasting flights, paying for snacks, and arranging your own visits, and the package offers fair value.

The better question is what kind of value you want. If you already know Montreal’s breweries and only want the cheapest possible beers, you could spend less by ordering one or two drinks at a single bar. You would also miss the guide, the brewing access, the historical context, and the chance to compare three venues in one afternoon.

If you are visiting Old Montreal for a short stay, the tour is more useful. It gives you a ready-made introduction to local beer without taking up a full day. The three-hour length leaves room for dinner, sightseeing, or another Old Port activity.

The snacks are tasting portions, not a banquet. You get party mix, a pretzel, and cheese as the planned food pairings. That is enough to support the tasting, but I would not book this instead of a meal.

The sample count also requires sensible pacing. Drink water when you can, take your time, and use the walks as a break. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or children under 18, and you need an ID card. A copy is accepted.

Who will enjoy this Old Port beer tour?

I would choose this tour if you want to understand Montreal’s craft beer scene without doing a lot of research first. It suits first-time beer tasters because the guide explains styles and brewing in plain language. It also suits experienced drinkers who enjoy trying unusual beers and comparing different brewpubs.

It is a good fit for:

• Couples looking for a social afternoon in Old Montreal
• Small groups and bachelor-party outings
• Visitors who want food with their beer
• English and French speakers traveling together
• Beer fans who enjoy local stories as much as tasting notes

You may want a different plan if you dislike walking, want a private group, or prefer to control every beer you order. You should also think twice if nine samples sounds like too much alcohol, even across three hours.

The tour operates rain or shine. Comfortable shoes and suitable clothing are not optional suggestions here, since the route includes outdoor walks. Flexible booking helps too: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later.

My verdict: book it for the guide and the route

This is a well-priced way to spend an afternoon in Old Montreal. The strongest reasons to book are the three-brewery route, the nine-sample format, the food pairings, and Antoine’s clear enthusiasm for both beer and Montreal.

I would book it if you want a guided introduction with enough variety to discover new styles. I would skip it only if you are seeking a full meal, a private tasting, or a low-alcohol outing.

For most adult beer fans, this tour offers more than a series of bar stops. You taste local beer, learn how it is made, walk through the Old Port, and finish with enough new ideas to choose your next Montreal pint with greater confidence.

FAQ

How long is the Montreal Old Port beer tour?

The tour lasts three hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $50 per person.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet your guide inside BreWskey Taproom, at BreWskey Brasserie Artisanale in the Old Port. Brewery staff can help you find the guide.

Which breweries does the tour visit?

The route visits BreWskey Brasserie Artisanale, 3 Brasseurs St-Paul, and Bistro Brasserie les Soeurs Grises.

How many beers and snacks are included?

You receive nine craft beer samplers and three snacks. The planned pairings include homemade party mix, a fresh pretzel, and local cheeses.

Is the tour offered in English and French?

Yes. The tour has a live guide and is offered in English and French.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and an ID card. A copy of your ID is accepted.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve your place and pay later.