Downtown Colorado Springs 2.5-Hour Brewery Tour

Fresh beer tastes better with a story. This 2.5-hour Colorado Springs brewery tour pairs 10-plus beers with enough food for lunch, then adds local history and art between three downtown stops. I like the small maximum of 12 people, and I like that your guide can arrange time with brewery staff and brewers. The main drawback is clear: this is not a good fit for anyone avoiding gluten.

You meet at noon outside The Mining Exchange and walk between Red Swing Brewhouse, Brass Brewing Company, and Local Relic at The Carter Payne. Guides such as Behr, Adam, Peter, and Samantha have been praised for making the tour easygoing while adding useful city background. Since all three breweries are within walking distance, you do not spend your afternoon in a van or worrying about parking.

At $68 per person, the price makes sense if you value a proper tasting meal rather than a few sample pours. You still need to budget for a 15 to 20 percent guide tip, and the tour depends on good weather and meeting its minimum group size.

Key Points Before You Book

• More than 10 beers at three breweries: You receive three flights, with four pours at some stops and a varied selection across the afternoon.
• Food is part of the experience: Savory and sweet pairings are included, with enough food to replace lunch.
• A true walking tour: The breweries are close together, with art and city history woven into the route.
• Small groups matter: The maximum is 12 people, and smaller departures can feel almost private.
• Guides add local character: Behr, Adam, Peter, and Samantha have all been singled out for friendly guidance and city background.
• The final stop has the best setting: Local Relic brews beer inside the historic Carter Payne church.

Why This Colorado Springs Brewery Tour Works

I like brewery tours that give you more than a succession of plastic tasting cups. This one has a sensible shape: three stops, about 45 minutes at each, food along the way, and enough walking to break up the drinking.

The route also gives you a quick introduction to downtown Colorado Springs. You are not simply dropped at three unrelated taprooms. Your guide fills the spaces between breweries with art and local history, which helps the afternoon feel like a city tour with beer attached.

The timing is useful, too. The tour begins at noon, right when many people are thinking about lunch. By the time you reach the final brewery, you have tasted more than 10 beers and eaten several savory and sweet pairings. That makes the $68 fee easier to judge. You are paying for a guided experience, three flights, food, and access to local brewery staff, not just beer samples.

I would still keep your expectations in check. This is a sampling tour, not a full brewery production visit. The information promises access to brewers and staff, plus beer trivia and brewing know-how, but it does not promise a detailed look at every brewing room or piece of equipment.

Starting at The Mining Exchange at Noon

The meeting point is The Mining Exchange, at 8 South Nevada Avenue. A noon start gives you a simple plan for the day: arrive ready for lunch, meet your guide, and begin on foot.

You should plan to arrive a little early, since the experience starts at a fixed time. Your mobile ticket is accepted, and confirmation arrives when you book. The tour ends at The Carter Payne, at 320 South Weber Street, although the final point can change.

The walking format is one of the tour’s practical strengths. All three breweries are within walking distance, so you can see a little of downtown rather than spending the entire afternoon seated in transportation. The route includes art and history, although the exact sights and commentary will depend on your guide.

That guide can make a major difference. Behr has been praised for his relaxed manner, city background, and ability to make the group feel comfortable. Adam has been singled out for answering questions and handling a very small group well. Peter has been praised for taking people to places they might otherwise pass, while Samantha has been noted for combining local history with the brewery visits.

The tour is capped at 12 people. That limit is important in a tasting room. A small group can sit together, hear the explanations, and ask questions without competing with a large crowd. If the departure is especially small, the experience may feel nearly private, though you should not count on that when booking.

Red Swing Brewhouse: A Family-Minded First Stop

The first stop is Red Swing Brewhouse, named for a red swing hanging from a 50-year-old maple tree. That detail gives the brewery a warm, personal identity before you taste anything.

The brewery focuses on new flavors and community. Your 45-minute visit includes a flight, food, and time for questions. The selection can help you get a sense of the brewery’s creative side, rather than simply drinking the most familiar style on the menu.

This is a good first stop because the tour is just getting started. Your guide can explain how flights work, introduce basic beer terms, and help you compare styles. If you are new to tasting beer, do not worry about having the right vocabulary. The point is to notice what you like and to ask why one beer tastes different from another.

The food pairing matters here. You are not asked to drink on an empty stomach, and the included bite gives the first flight a lunch-like role. Exact dishes are not specified, so I would treat the pairings as a pleasant part of the tour rather than expect a particular menu.

Red Swing may appeal most to people who like independent breweries with a strong neighborhood feel. If you prefer a formal tour of brewing machinery, this stop may feel more focused on tasting and conversation than on production details.

Brass Brewing Company and Its Veteran Mission

The second stop is Brass Brewing Company, a U.S. veteran-owned seven-barrel brewery. Its stated mission combines approachable beer with charitable giving, including a donation of 1 percent of profits to organizations serving veterans.

That background adds a useful layer to the tasting. You can talk about the beer while also learning how a small brewery connects its business to a cause. Your guide can help explain the beers, and the format leaves room for questions rather than rushing you from one pour to the next.

The brewery is described as relaxed, which suits the middle of the route. After the first flight, you have a better idea of what you enjoy. This is the point where you can compare the beers at Brass with what you tasted at Red Swing and ask more specific questions.

Each flight contains several pours, and the full afternoon includes 10 or more beers. Do not think of that as 10 full pints. These are tasting portions, but the number still gives you a wide sample of Colorado Springs brewing.

Brass is also a reminder to pace yourself. Three flights in 2.5 hours can add up, even when the pours are small. Eat the included food, drink water when available, and do not plan to drive afterward. The tour is designed around walking between stops, so that is the sensible way to enjoy it.

The Carter Payne: Beer in a Historic Church

The final stop is The Carter Payne, a former church at 320 South Weber Street. Local Relic operates there as one of five tenants, giving the last stop a setting unlike the first two breweries.

The building itself is part of the appeal. Beer in an old church sounds unusual, and the setting gives the final flight a sense of place. Local Relic is described as an artisan brewery, so this stop brings the tour to a fitting finish: one more set of beers, more food pairings, and a memorable downtown location.

The final stop also receives special attention for its beer and food pairings. The afternoon includes both savory and sweet items, and the last brewery is where the beer pairing element is most clearly highlighted. That can help you understand how food changes the way a beer tastes.

Because the end point may change, check your confirmation before making plans afterward. The stated end is The Carter Payne, but you should avoid scheduling a tight connection or an activity that requires you to leave at an exact minute.

For many people, this will be the most distinctive stop. The church setting gives you something to remember beyond the beer list, and it helps the tour finish with a stronger sense of place than a standard crawl through three similar taprooms.

What You Actually Receive for $68

The included package is generous for a 2.5-hour experience:

• Three beer flights with more than 10 different beers
• Savory and sweet food pairings
• Enough food to serve as lunch
• Beer facts and trivia
• Art and history along the walking route
• A commemorative brewery tour sticker
• A guide who helps connect you with brewery staff and brewers

At $68, the value depends on how you normally experience breweries. If you would already buy several flights and lunch, the fee is easier to justify. You also avoid the work of choosing three places, arranging the route, and deciding what to order.

The guided access is another part of the value. A good guide can explain the beers, answer questions, and provide context that you would not get from a tap list alone. The strongest comments about Behr, Adam, Peter, and Samantha focus on exactly this combination of friendliness, answers, and local background.

The sticker is a small extra, not a reason to book. The food and three flights do the real financial work. Remember to add a 15 to 20 percent tip for the guide, since gratuity is not included.

Is the Walking Route Right for You?

You should be comfortable walking between the three downtown locations. The tour does not provide a vehicle transfer between stops, but the breweries are close enough to make the route practical.

Walking has two benefits. It lets you see parts of downtown Colorado Springs, and it gives you a short break between tastings. It also means the tour is less suitable for anyone who wants a fully seated experience or has difficulty walking for the duration of the route.

The experience is near public transportation, which can help you reach the starting point. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. The tour requires good weather, so a cancellation caused by poor conditions results in a different date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. The same 24-hour rule is based on local time, so check the clock carefully if your plans change.

Who Will Enjoy This Brewery Afternoon?

I would recommend this tour to someone visiting Colorado Springs who wants an easy introduction to local breweries without planning a route from scratch. It also suits people who have just moved to town and want to find places they can return to later.

The tour works well for beer drinkers with different levels of experience. Beginners get explanations and a guided way to compare beers. More experienced drinkers get access to several local taprooms and the chance to ask staff about their work.

It is also a good choice for people who care about setting and community. Red Swing has its family story, Brass supports veteran organizations, and Local Relic occupies part of a historic church. Those details give the breweries distinct personalities.

I would not choose it if you need a gluten-free meal or beer plan. The experience is specifically not recommended for gluten-free people. I would also skip it if you want a late-night crawl, a large party atmosphere, or a detailed technical lesson focused only on brewing equipment.

Seven Tips for a Better Afternoon

Arrive ready to eat, but do not have a heavy meal beforehand. The included pairings are intended to provide enough food for lunch, and you will want room for the flights.

Wear comfortable shoes. The route is walkable, and the movement between breweries is part of the design.

Ask your guide about the city as well as the beer. The strongest part of the experience may be the local context between stops, especially if you are new to Colorado Springs.

Tell the guide what styles you usually like. Even with a set flight, questions can help you pay closer attention to the differences between pours.

Pace yourself. Ten-plus beers sounds modest when the pours are small, but three flights over one afternoon still require care.

Keep your afternoon flexible after the tour. The end point can change, and the timing may vary slightly.

Plan a safe way home. Since the route is on foot and includes several tastings, driving is a poor match for this outing.

Should You Book the Colorado Springs Brewery Tour?

Book it if you want a small, friendly introduction to downtown Colorado Springs with enough beer and food to make a full afternoon. The best reasons are the three distinct brewery settings, the included meal-sized pairings, and guides who add city stories instead of simply pointing you toward the next taproom.

The $68 price is fair when you count the flights, food, walking route, and personal guidance. It is less appealing if you only want one or two beers, need gluten-free options, or prefer to choose every brewery yourself.

For most beer fans, new residents, and first-time visitors, this is a well-planned way to meet the Springs beer scene. Book it when the noon start and walking route fit your day, then leave room to linger over the final beer inside The Carter Payne.

FAQ

How long does the brewery tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, with about 45 minutes at each of the three brewery stops.

How many beers are included?

You receive three beer flights with more than 10 different beers in total.

Is food included?

Yes. Savory and sweet food pairings are included, with enough food for lunch.

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at noon at The Mining Exchange, located at 8 South Nevada Avenue in Colorado Springs.

Where does the tour end?

The listed ending point is The Carter Payne at 320 South Weber Street. The end point may change.

How large is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 12 people.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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