Calgary Brewery Tour

Craft beer, Calgary style. This three-and-a-half-hour outing links three local breweries with beer flights, a small group, and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle. I like the easy downtown meeting point and the chance to try several IPA and lager styles without arranging rides between taprooms.

I also like the personal touch from guide Conner, who shares beer knowledge and points out places of interest during the drive. The main drawback is simple: hotel pickup is not included, and the tour is focused on sampling rather than a full brewery production tour.

Key details before you book

• Three breweries in about three and a half hours: You visit Bow River Brewing, OT Brewing Company, and Born Brewing Co., with about 45 minutes at each stop.
• One beer flight at every brewery: Your ticket includes a flight of beer samples at all three locations, so you can compare different brewing styles across the afternoon.
• A maximum of 14 people: This is a small-group outing, not a large coach tour, which helps keep the experience more personal.
• Downtown starting point: Meet at the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Calgary Downtown at 239 12 Ave SW.
• Air-conditioned transportation: You ride between breweries instead of figuring out taxis or transit after each tasting.
• English-language tour with mobile ticketing: Confirmation arrives when you book, and you can show your ticket from your phone.

Three Calgary taprooms, one easy afternoon

Calgary’s brewery scene rewards a little planning. Taprooms are spread around the city, and a self-guided tasting day can quickly become a puzzle of transit, parking, and deciding who should drive. This tour removes much of that work.

You meet at the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Calgary Downtown, then travel by air-conditioned vehicle to three breweries. The total time is about three hours and 30 minutes. Each stop lasts roughly 45 minutes, leaving the rest of the time for transportation and commentary along the way.

That timing gives you a useful taste of each place without turning the day into an all-afternoon commitment. You will not have hours to settle in at one brewery, order food, and work through a large tap list. Instead, you get a guided sampler of Calgary’s craft beer scene.

The maximum group size is 14 people. That is small enough to make questions practical and large enough to keep the outing social. If you prefer a quiet, private tasting, this may not be your format. If you like comparing notes with other beer fans, the group setup should suit you.

Bow River Brewing starts with choice

The first stop is Bow River Brewing, which has eight beers on tap along with seasonal offerings. That gives the stop a broad starting point. You might find a style that suits you right away, or you can use the flight to test something outside your usual order.

A tap list with eight options matters because craft beer fans rarely agree on one ideal style. One person may lean toward an IPA, another toward a lager, and someone else may want to try a seasonal beer. Bow River’s range gives the first tasting enough variety to keep the group interested.

You have about 45 minutes here, including your included beer flight. That is enough time to sample and ask questions, but not enough to work through every tap. I suggest treating the flight as a comparison exercise rather than trying to order extra drinks before moving on.

The stop also sets the pace for the day. You are beginning with a brewery that offers choice, then moving on before the tasting becomes too heavy. Keep an eye on your timing, since the group needs to leave together for the next brewery.

OT Brewing Company keeps the focus on the moment

The second stop is OT Brewing Company. Its message centers on pausing to enjoy a good brew, and that fits the middle of the tour well. By this point, you have tasted the first brewery’s selection and can start making direct comparisons.

The supplied details do not list the number of taps or a particular house style at OT Brewing Company. That is useful to remember. You should expect a guided tasting and a flight, but not assume a specific lineup or a fixed set of beers.

Your included flight gives you another chance to sample several beers without committing to full pours. This is one of the stronger parts of the package. Three separate flights make the $89.71 price easier to assess, especially if the pours are generous, as they were for one reported outing.

The 45-minute stop leaves room for a relaxed tasting, but the tour is still on a schedule. If you find a favorite beer, you may wish you had more time to sit with it. That is the trade-off for seeing three breweries in one outing.

Born Brewing Co. brings the social finish

The final stop is Born Brewing Co., a place built around beer, conversation, and connection with Calgary. Its stated aim is to give people room to write their own story, and the relaxed social spirit makes it a fitting final stop.

Born presents itself as a place where strangers can become friends over beer and stories. You can expect the last flight to be part of the social side of the afternoon, not just a checklist item. After two earlier tastings, you will also have a better sense of the beer styles you prefer.

Again, the visit lasts around 45 minutes. The available information does not specify the brewery’s exact tap list, food offerings, or production setup, so I would not book this expecting a detailed behind-the-scenes brewing tour. The value here is the chance to taste its beer in the taproom as part of a guided route.

Ending at Born also gives the outing a natural finish before the vehicle returns to the original meeting point. Since the tour ends where it begins, you can plan the rest of your Calgary day from downtown without arranging a separate return ride.

What the beer flights really add

The ticket includes one flight of beer samples at each of the three breweries. In practical terms, that means you are sampling across all three stops rather than paying only for transportation and guide service.

That matters because full pints at three breweries would add up quickly, and carrying on with large pours can make the last stop less enjoyable. Flights let you compare styles and keep your tasting more controlled.

One account of the tour described the pours as generous and mentioned trying a range of IPAs and lagers. That gives you a useful sense of what a tasting might include, but beer selections can change. The exact beers available on your date are not provided.

If you already know your favorite style, use the flight to test the edges of your taste. If you are new to craft beer, ask the guide to explain the differences between the samples. Conner was praised for explaining the beers clearly, so if he is leading your outing, you may get helpful context instead of simply receiving a tray of samples.

Remember that beer is included, but gratuity is not. You should also pace yourself. Three flights in three and a half hours can be plenty, particularly if the pours are generous.

The ride matters as much as the taprooms

The air-conditioned vehicle is more than a comfort feature. It connects three breweries without asking you to navigate unfamiliar parts of Calgary or decide who will stay sober enough to drive.

The vehicle also gives the guide time to add local context between tastings. Conner was specifically praised for pointing out places of interest while driving around Calgary. That small detail helps the tour feel like more than a series of bar stops.

Still, you should understand the limits. The tour does not include hotel pickup. You need to reach the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Calgary Downtown on your own, and you return there at the end.

The meeting point is near public transportation, which makes the start easier to reach. The activity is offered in English, uses a mobile ticket, and confirmation is provided at booking. These details are basic, but they reduce friction on a busy sightseeing day.

Is $89.71 fair for the afternoon?

At $89.71 per person, this is not the cheapest way to drink beer in Calgary. You could visit one brewery on your own for less. The better question is what the price replaces.

You are paying for transportation between three breweries, a guide, and three included flights. You also avoid planning a route, arranging rides, and deciding who will drive. For a small group, that convenience has real value.

The price is easier to justify if you want variety in one outing. You get three different brewery settings and a range of samples instead of spending the whole afternoon in one taproom. It is less compelling if you already know Calgary’s brewery scene or prefer to order full pints at your own speed.

The tour is also booked about 59 days ahead on average. That suggests you should not wait until the last minute if your dates are fixed, especially if you want a particular day. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund, which gives you some flexibility when planning.

Who will enjoy this Calgary brewery tour?

I would recommend this outing to adults who want a straightforward introduction to several Calgary breweries. It suits you especially well if you are staying downtown, want transportation included, and prefer sampling several beers to spending hours at one taproom.

It also works for a small group of friends. The maximum of 14 people keeps the outing from feeling like a large bus excursion, while the shared flights and vehicle create an easy social rhythm.

You may want a different plan if you are seeking a technical brewery tour with detailed production access. The supplied details describe taproom visits, beer flights, and guide commentary, not a tour of brewing equipment or a formal lesson in production.

It may also disappoint you if you want hotel pickup or a long, unhurried visit at each brewery. The schedule is carefully divided into three 45-minute stops, so the strength of the tour is variety and convenience, not freedom to linger.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. If accessibility is important to you, the available information does not provide detailed vehicle or brewery access specifications, so ask the provider before booking.

Should you book it?

Book this Calgary brewery tour if you want three brewery tastings, included flights, and simple transportation in one compact afternoon. The strongest reasons are the small group, the variety of beers, and the guide commentary, especially if Conner leads the tour.

Skip it if your ideal brewery day means choosing your own pace, ordering full pours, or staying for food and long conversations at one location. For everyone else, $89.71 is a reasonable price for a guided introduction to three Calgary taprooms, with the practical bonus of not having to drive between them.

FAQ

How long is the Calgary Brewery Tour?

The tour lasts approximately three hours and 30 minutes.

How many breweries does the tour visit?

You visit three breweries: Bow River Brewing, OT Brewing Company, and Born Brewing Co.

How long do you spend at each brewery?

The planned visit is about 45 minutes at each brewery.

Are beer samples included in the price?

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

Where does the tour start?

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

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup is not included. You need to make your own way to the downtown meeting point.

How large is the tour group?

The tour has a maximum of 14 participants.

Is transportation provided between breweries?

Yes. An air-conditioned vehicle is included.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket.