Edinburgh: Underground Beer Tasting in Lost Close

Edinburgh keeps a few secrets below street level. This one-hour tasting takes you into The Lost Close, an old underground space beneath the Old Town, for four locally brewed beers and stories about the city above. I like the unusual setting, and I like the small group limit of 10 people, which should give the session a more personal feel. The main drawback is practical: the historic site is not wheelchair accessible.

I also like that the tasting focuses on Scottish breweries rather than generic beer brands. You will try beers from Campervan Brewery, Moonwake Beer Co., and Bellfield Brewery while an English-speaking host explains the breweries, the flavors, and the past of the close. At $31 per person, the price is fair if you want a compact experience that combines drinks with local history, though it may feel high if you are looking only for four small beer samples.

Key points to know before booking

• The tasting takes place underground: You get exclusive access to The Lost Close, a historic space beneath Edinburgh’s Old Town.
• Four local beers are included: The tasting features beers from Campervan Brewery, Moonwake Beer Co., and Bellfield Brewery.
• The session lasts one hour: This fits neatly into a day of sightseeing around St. Giles Cathedral and the Royal Mile.
• The group is limited to 10 people: The small format should allow room for questions and conversation.
• The meeting point is easy to spot: Start at John’s Coffee House & Tavern, opposite St. Giles Cathedral and behind the Mercat Cross.
• Access is limited: The underground site is not wheelchair accessible, and the experience is for adults aged 18 and over.

Why The Lost Close changes the tasting

Beer tastings can happen almost anywhere, but the setting matters. Here, you are not sitting in an ordinary bar with a flight placed in front of you. You enter The Lost Close, an old underground close in Edinburgh, and the surroundings become part of the story.

A close is a narrow passage or lane associated with Edinburgh’s Old Town. The name The Lost Close hints at a space that is no longer part of the city’s everyday street plan. That gives the hour a strong sense of place without requiring a long walking tour.

I like this pairing of beer and setting. The drinks give you something immediate to taste, while the close gives the host a reason to talk about Edinburgh’s past. You get two kinds of information at once: what is in your glass and what once took place beneath the city.

The atmosphere may appeal most to you if you enjoy historic spaces that are slightly rough around the edges. This is not designed as a polished brewery visit or a large-scale attraction. The appeal comes from being in a less familiar part of Edinburgh and hearing its story while you sample local beer.

Keep your expectations sensible. The session lasts only one hour, so you should expect a focused introduction rather than a full tour of Edinburgh’s underground network. The supplied details do not promise a long walk through several chambers or a full meal. The experience centers on tasting, storytelling, and access to The Lost Close.

Meeting at John’s Coffee House & Tavern

The meeting point is John’s Coffee House & Tavern, part of CoDE Hostel. It is opposite St. Giles Cathedral and behind the Mercat Cross, two useful Old Town landmarks.

Look for the statue of James Braidwood, the firefighter. The entrance to John’s Coffee House is behind the statue. This is a helpful detail because the Old Town can be confusing, especially when you are moving between the Royal Mile, small closes, and courtyards.

I would allow enough time to find the entrance without rushing. You are not meeting at a brewery with a large sign or an obvious visitor center. The statue and the cathedral are your main visual markers, so use them to get your bearings before the scheduled start.

This location also makes the tasting easy to add to a sightseeing day. St. Giles Cathedral and the Mercat Cross are right in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. You can arrange the beer session around other central sights without setting aside half a day for transport.

Four beers from three Scottish breweries

The tasting includes four locally brewed beers. The named breweries are Campervan Brewery, Moonwake Beer Co., and Bellfield Brewery. Since four beers come from three breweries, at least one brewery contributes more than one sample, though the exact pour list can vary.

That mix gives the session a useful shape. You are not tasting four versions of the same product. Each beer has its own style and story, and the host explains the background of each brewery along with the flavors in the glass.

Campervan Brewery, Moonwake Beer Co., and Bellfield Brewery represent the local craft beer focus of the experience. The point is not simply to drink four beers. You are introduced to breweries connected with Scotland and given some context for how each beer fits into its maker’s work.

If you already know your way around beer, you can treat the tasting as a chance to compare styles and producers. If you are new to craft beer, the guided format should help you notice differences that can be easy to miss when ordering alone in a pub.

The information provided does not list the exact beer styles, alcohol levels, or serving order. That is worth knowing before you book. You can expect four local beers, but you should not choose the session based on a particular IPA, stout, lager, or alcohol-free option unless the provider confirms the current selection.

Storytelling that connects the glass to the city

The host guides the tasting in English and explains the history of The Lost Close as well as tales from Edinburgh’s past. This storytelling is an important part of the price.

A beer flight by itself can be brief. You take a sip, hear the name, and move to the next glass. Here, each sample has a little more context. You learn about the brewery, the flavors, and the place where you are sitting.

I find this format especially useful in Edinburgh because the city’s Old Town has layers that are easy to pass without understanding. A close may look like a shortcut, a doorway may lead to an old passage, and an underground room may carry a story that is not obvious from street level. The host helps connect those details.

The experience lists expert storytellers rather than named guides, so you should not expect a specific host by name. The language is English, and the session is designed around live narration rather than an audio guide or a self-guided display.

With only up to 10 participants, you should have a better chance to follow the explanation and ask a question than you would in a large group. The small size also suits anyone who prefers a quieter tasting. It does not guarantee a private tour, but it keeps the gathering limited.

What the one-hour format feels like

The short duration is one of the experience’s strengths. Edinburgh days fill quickly, and a one-hour activity is easy to fit between major sights, lunch, or an evening reservation.

The session has three clear parts. First, you arrive at John’s Coffee House & Tavern and join the host. Next, you enter The Lost Close for the guided tasting. Finally, you work through four locally brewed beers while hearing about the breweries and Edinburgh’s past.

The precise timing of each sample is not provided, so I would not expect a rigid, formal tasting script. The host will guide you through the beers and their flavors, but the tone is likely to depend on the group and the questions people ask.

One hour also means the tasting will not become a long drinking session. That may suit you if you want a cultural activity with alcohol rather than a night out centered on beer. If you want extended pub time, a full meal, or a brewery tour with production equipment, this experience is not built for that.

Since the price includes four beers, the session should feel fairly concentrated. You get a fixed set of samples and a fixed amount of storytelling, with no need to plan additional stops during the activity.

Is $31 a fair price?

At $31 per person, this is not the cheapest way to drink beer in Edinburgh. You could order several local beers in a pub for less or more, depending on size and brand. The value here comes from the combination of four samples, a guide, and access to a historic underground space.

I would consider the price reasonable if you care about the setting and the explanation. Exclusive access to The Lost Close gives the session something a regular pub tasting cannot offer. You are paying for a compact experience, not only for liquid in four glasses.

The value is also stronger for people who want a structured introduction to Edinburgh’s craft beer scene. You do not have to research breweries, decide what to order, or work out how to compare the beers. The host provides the framework.

The price may be less appealing if you are already familiar with Campervan Brewery, Moonwake Beer Co., and Bellfield Brewery, or if you mainly want full-sized drinks. The experience details do not specify the pour size, so I would not book it expecting four pints.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start gives you some useful flexibility. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Edinburgh schedule is still shifting.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend the tasting to adults who enjoy local drinks, historic settings, and short guided activities. It is a good match for a first visit to Edinburgh because it introduces both the city’s underground spaces and part of its modern craft beer scene.

It also suits a couple or small group looking for something beyond standard sightseeing. The format is social, but the group limit of 10 keeps it from feeling like a large organized outing.

Beer fans will appreciate the chance to compare four local products. You do not need to be an expert, though. The host explains the flavors and brewery backgrounds, so curiosity is enough.

The experience is not suitable for children under 18, babies under one year, or pregnant women. Smoking is not allowed indoors.

You should also think carefully about access. The historic nature of The Lost Close means it is not wheelchair accessible. If you have mobility concerns, ask the provider for current details before booking, since underground historic sites can have tight or uneven areas even when the listing gives only the broader accessibility warning.

Practical tips for getting the most from the hour

Arrive at John’s Coffee House & Tavern with enough time to identify the James Braidwood statue and the entrance behind it. St. Giles Cathedral and the Mercat Cross are the easiest landmarks to use.

Do not plan a major meal as part of the experience. The inclusion lists four beers, guided tasting, and storytelling, but no food. Eat beforehand if you know beer on an empty stomach does not suit you.

Try to focus on the differences between the samples rather than rushing through them. The host will talk about flavors, so pay attention to how each beer is described and how that compares with what you taste.

You may also want to keep your schedule flexible after the tasting. The activity lasts one hour, but time spent locating the meeting point and leaving the underground space can add a little extra time around the edges. No transportation is included or required in the information provided, and the meeting point is central.

Because the session is in a historic underground setting, wear something comfortable and practical. The information does not give detailed clothing advice, so I would avoid treating this like a formal bar visit.

Should you book the Lost Close beer tasting?

Book it if you want four Scottish craft beers served with local stories in an unusual Old Town setting. The small group, central meeting point, and one-hour schedule make it easy to add to a busy Edinburgh visit.

I would skip it if your main goal is a full brewery tour, a meal, large servings, or guaranteed access for a wheelchair user. The exact beers and pour sizes are not provided, so beer collectors who want a specific style should check before paying.

For most adults who like beer and history, $31 is a sensible price for the setting and guided format. The experience gives you a taste of Edinburgh above and below street level, without taking over your whole day.

FAQ

Where does the Edinburgh underground beer tasting begin?

It begins at John’s Coffee House & Tavern, which is part of CoDE Hostel. The venue is opposite St. Giles Cathedral and behind the Mercat Cross.

How do I find John’s Coffee House & Tavern?

Look for the statue of James Braidwood, the firefighter. The entrance to John’s Coffee House is behind the statue.

How long does the beer tasting last?

The experience lasts one hour.

How many beers are included?

Four locally brewed beers are included.

Which breweries are featured?

The beers include selections from Campervan Brewery, Moonwake Beer Co., and Bellfield Brewery.

Is a guide included?

Yes. An English-speaking live guide leads the tasting and provides storytelling about the breweries, the beers, The Lost Close, and Edinburgh’s past.

How large is the group?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

Is The Lost Close wheelchair accessible?

No. Due to the historic nature of the site, it is not wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The experience also allows you to reserve now and pay later.