Craft Beer Tour Edinburgh

Beer can show you a different side of Leith. This 3.5-hour Edinburgh tour moves through local breweries and craft beer bars, with a good spread of styles from Scottish 80/- ale and lager to IPA, sour, and smoked beer. I like the small maximum group of 20, and I like that the route takes you to places you may not find on your own.

The tour also benefits from guides who care about the subject. Emily receives repeated praise for her friendly manner, clear explanations, and knowledge of local beer and breweries. The main drawback is practical: the tour begins at Lost in Leith and ends at Campervan Brewery Tap Room, so you need to plan for a different finishing point.

• Four Leith beer stops: Visit a mix of microbreweries and craft beer bars rather than standard city-centre pubs.
• A broad tasting range: Sample styles that can include Scottish 80/-, IPA, lager, sour, smoked beer, and unusual creations such as key lime pie beer.
• Emily is a highly praised guide: Her friendly delivery and clear beer explanations add much of the tour’s appeal.
• 3.5 hours on foot: The experience gives you time to explore Leith while moving between venues.
• Small group format: Numbers are capped at 20, which should make questions and conversation easier.
• Different start and finish: Begin at Lost in Leith and finish at Campervan Brewery Tap Room.

A beer tour with Leith at its centre

I like this experience because it treats beer as a way to understand an area, not simply as a reason to drink several pints. Leith has become one of the most interesting parts of Edinburgh for independent food and drink, and this route takes you into breweries and bars that can be easy to miss if you stick to the main sightseeing streets.

The tour starts at Lost in Leith, 82 Commercial Street, at 1:30pm. From there, you visit a series of local venues before ending at Campervan Brewery Tap Room in the Bonnington Business Centre on Jane Street. You do not return to the starting point, so the route works best if you are already planning to spend time in Leith or can make your own way onward from Bonnington.

The experience lasts about three hours and 30 minutes. That is long enough to try several beers without turning the afternoon into a rushed pub crawl. It also leaves room for your guide to explain the breweries, the beer styles, and the character of the area.

What you may taste across four venues

The exact beers change as each taproom updates its range. That is good news for repeat customers, but it means you should not book expecting a fixed tasting menu. The appeal is discovery.

The styles mentioned across the tour include a traditional Scottish 80/- ale, IPAs, lagers, sours, and smoked beer. These are not minor variations on one pale ale. You can expect a fairly wide lesson in how different beer can taste, from familiar and malty to sharp, fruity, bitter, or smoky.

One particularly unusual example was a key lime pie beer. That sort of pour will not suit everyone, but it shows the spirit of the tour. You are not only being offered safe, familiar choices. You may find a beer that sounds strange, try it, and decide that it works better than expected.

I appreciate that the range includes traditional styles as well as newer craft beers. A tour made up only of heavily hopped IPAs can become tiring, especially if you are not already devoted to them. Moving from Scottish ale to lager, sour, or smoked beer gives your palate a reset and makes the differences easier to notice.

Because the selection changes, I would treat the listed styles as examples rather than promises. The main point is the variety, not any single beer.

The opening at Lost in Leith

Your afternoon begins at Lost in Leith on Commercial Street. The first part of the experience lasts about 40 minutes, followed by the longer section visiting breweries and bars.

The information provided does not specify the exact beer poured at the opening stop, so you should think of this as the point where the group gets organised and the tasting begins rather than a fixed named attraction. It is also the place to meet your guide and fellow beer fans before the route continues through Leith.

That first 40 minutes matters because a good beer tour needs a little orientation. You want to understand what you are tasting and where you are going, rather than simply being moved from one bar to the next. The guide’s explanations help set that tone.

If you arrive early, allow time to find 82 Commercial Street without hurrying. The official start time is 1:30pm, and the tour is not described as one where late arrivals can easily join the group at another stop.

The main route through Leith’s breweries and bars

The central part of the tour takes about two hours and 50 minutes. It visits a variety of local breweries and craft beer bars, with four venues mentioned as part of the route.

The exact order and beer list may change, but the structure is clear. You move between distinctive small venues, taste different beers, and hear about the brewers and the Leith area. One of the strongest reasons to book is that several of these places are tucked away. You may live in Edinburgh or have visited before and still not know they are there.

I especially like this element for people who have already seen Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, and the Old Town. This is not a greatest-hits tour of the city. It points you toward a more local side of Edinburgh, where the reward is a good bar, an independent brewery, or a beer you would not have ordered without a little guidance.

The walking is part of the experience. You get to see Leith between tastings rather than sitting in one pub for the entire afternoon. At the same time, the tour is not described as a strenuous walk, and most people can take part. Wear shoes you are happy to walk in, but there is no indication that you need specialist equipment.

The route does not finish where it starts. You end at Campervan Brewery Tap Room, Bonnington Business Centre, 112 Jane Street. This is useful if you want to continue drinking locally or arrange your next stop around Bonnington, but it can be inconvenient if you have left belongings near Commercial Street or have dinner plans back in the city centre.

Why the guide can make or break the afternoon

Beer facts are easy to recite. Good guiding is harder. The strongest part of this tour appears to be the way Emily connects the drinks with the places producing them.

She is repeatedly described as friendly, funny, welcoming, and passionate about beer. Those qualities matter because a tasting can quickly become dry and technical if every conversation turns into a lecture about hops and fermentation. Her style seems to keep the information useful without losing the social side of the afternoon.

I would expect explanations of beer types, local breweries, and the Leith area, with enough room to ask questions. You do not need to arrive with a detailed understanding of ale, IPA, or sour beer. The tour suits beginners because you can learn as you taste, while more experienced beer drinkers still get the pleasure of trying small producers and changing tap lists.

The group size is capped at 20. That is not an intimate private tour, but it is small enough to feel manageable in independent bars and taprooms. A group of this size also gives the afternoon a social quality. Several descriptions of the experience point to people mixing easily as the tastings continue.

Keep in mind that the guide is one important part of the experience, but the precise guide may not always be Emily. The available details identify her by name and praise her work, yet they do not promise that every departure will have her.

What the $61.70 price buys you

At $61.70 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend an afternoon in Edinburgh. You could order several beers at ordinary pubs for less, especially if you choose standard local pours.

The value comes from the access and structure. You are paying for a guide, a planned route through four specialist venues, tastings across several beer styles, and the time saved by not having to find these places yourself. If you are curious about craft beer, that can be fair value.

I would be less enthusiastic about the price if you only want a couple of familiar lagers or ales. The tour makes more sense when you want to compare styles and visit breweries you would probably miss alone. It is also a useful introduction to Leith for someone who has already covered Edinburgh’s better-known sights.

The changing beer selection is another part of the value. Repeat customers may get a different afternoon on a later booking, although you should not expect the same pours each time. The experience is about exploring what is available now.

Food is not mentioned as part of the tour, so do not assume a meal is included. If you need a substantial lunch, plan that separately before or after the experience.

Timing, transport, and the change of venue

The 1:30pm start makes this an afternoon activity rather than an early-morning brewery visit. The finish should be around 5pm, although the duration is approximate.

The meeting point is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying elsewhere in Edinburgh. The tour itself appears to involve walking between venues, as the experience includes moving around Leith and visiting several local sites. Exact walking distances and transport arrangements between every stop are not specified, so I would avoid booking a tight connection immediately after the scheduled finish.

Your final stop is Campervan Brewery Tap Room. Make a note of the full address: Bonnington Business Centre, 112 Jane Street, Edinburgh EH6 5HG. The different finish is easy to overlook, and it is the one logistical detail most likely to catch you out.

A mobile ticket is provided, and the tour is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. Anyone aged 18 or over may join, but if you look under 25, you will be asked for identification.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend the tour to anyone who likes trying unfamiliar beer and wants a more local afternoon in Edinburgh. It suits a couple, a small group of friends, or a family group with adult children. One group even made brewery tours a Christmas tradition, which makes sense if you enjoy giving experiences rather than objects.

It also works well for people who already live in Edinburgh. The route can reveal venues you have never noticed, and the guide gives you a reason to explore Leith with fresh eyes. You may leave with a short list of places to revisit independently.

Beer beginners should feel comfortable here. The range of styles gives you a simple way to compare beers, and the guide can explain what you are drinking. You do not need to know the difference between an IPA and a sour before arriving.

I would hesitate if you dislike walking, prefer a fixed menu, or want to stay in one venue. I would also think twice if you need to finish back at the starting point. This is a moving route, and the changing tap lists are part of its character.

Booking, cancellation, and weather notes

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded for a late cancellation.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. It also requires a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation for that reason brings the same choice of another date or a full refund.

I would keep the afternoon flexible, especially if you are visiting Edinburgh for only a short time. The tour has a maximum of 20 people, but no minimum group size is specified.

FAQ

Where does the Craft Beer Tour Edinburgh begin?

The tour begins at Lost in Leith, 82 Commercial Street, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6LX, UK.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 1:30pm.

Where does the tour finish?

It finishes at Campervan Brewery Tap Room, Bonnington Business Centre, 112 Jane Street, Edinburgh EH6 5HG, UK. It does not return to the original meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The total duration is approximately three hours and 30 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $61.70 per person.

How many people can join?

The tour has a maximum group size of 20 people.

What beer styles might be included?

The range can include Scottish 80/- ale, IPAs, lagers, sours, and smoked beer. The beers change as the taproom selections change.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

Is there a minimum age?

Yes. You must be at least 18 years old. Anyone who looks under 25 will be asked for identification.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.

Should you book this Leith beer tour?

I would book it if you want to meet local breweries, try several beer styles, and see a side of Edinburgh beyond the usual sights. The strongest reasons are the varied tastings, the small-group limit, and the chance to visit four venues that are easy to overlook.

I would skip it if you want a cheap pub afternoon, a guaranteed list of specific beers, or a circular route back to Commercial Street. For everyone else, $61.70 is a reasonable price for a guided introduction to Leith’s independent beer scene, especially if Emily is leading your departure. Just arrive ready to walk, bring identification if you look under 25, and remember that the tour ends somewhere different from where it begins.