Quebec City: Craft Brewery and Beer Tasting Tour

Good beer makes a city easier to know. This three-hour tour takes you through three St-Roch breweries, where you taste nine local beers, sample three snacks, and learn how Quebec City became a stronghold for small-batch brewing. I like the generous tasting lineup and the chance to see a working brewing facility, not just sit at a bar. The one catch is that the tour is built around beer, so it is not suitable for children, pregnant women, or anyone avoiding alcohol.

I also like the way the route mixes tasting with neighborhood sightseeing. St-Roch is known for food, nightlife, cultural variety, and microbreweries, so you get a sense of the area between stops. Just remember that this is a walking tour in all weather, and you should wear comfortable shoes and bring weather-ready clothing.

Four reasons this beer tour earns attention

• Nine beer samplers across three breweries: The tasting list is unusually generous for a three-hour tour, with three pours at each stop.
• Noctem offers more than a first drink: You begin with three samples, homemade party mix, and a look inside the brewing facility.
• La Barberie brings cooperative brewing history: Quebec City’s second-oldest microbrewery was also the first local brewery to operate as a worker cooperative.
• La Korrigane finishes with specialty beers: The final stop includes three beers and vegetable snacks, giving the route a lighter close.
• Guides add local context: French and English guides explain brewing and Quebec’s beer past as you move through St-Roch.
• The price covers a full afternoon of tasting: At $50 per person, the nine beers and three snacks make this a strong value for serious craft beer fans.

Starting at Noctem, where cats and creative beer set the tone

Your meeting point is inside Noctem Artisans Brasseurs. Ask the brewery staff where to find your guide, and arrive ready to start there. Noctem is easy to recognize by its comic cat branding and its reputation for unusual beers.

The first tasting includes three beer samplers and homemade party mix. That snack matters more than it may sound. You are sampling several beers before the tour has really begun, so a salty bite gives you something to eat while you get oriented.

Noctem is also where the tour becomes more than a pub crawl. You receive access to the brewing facility and an introduction to the basic brewing process. The information is aimed at curious drinkers rather than professional brewers, which makes it useful even if you know very little about beer.

I like this opening because it gives you a frame for the rest of the afternoon. Instead of tasting without context, you begin by seeing where beer is made and learning the broad steps behind it. You can then pay closer attention to differences in flavor, style, and technique at the next two breweries.

The Noctem stop may be the best part for anyone who wants production details. The access is described as exclusive, but the exact length and scope of the facility visit are not specified. You should expect an introduction rather than a full technical brewery course.

Walking through St-Roch between the pours

The tour uses the streets between breweries as part of the experience. Your guide shares facts about Quebec’s beer past while you walk through St-Roch, an area with a strong mix of restaurants, nightlife, cultural activity, and small breweries.

That walking time helps the tour feel connected to Quebec City rather than isolated inside three tasting rooms. You are not simply moving from one indoor stop to another. The neighborhood provides the setting for the local brewing scene, and the guide explains why this part of the city matters.

I would plan for this as a walking afternoon, not a seated tasting with short transfers. The exact distance between stops is not provided, so comfortable shoes are important. The tour operates rain or shine, making a waterproof layer or other weather-appropriate clothing a sensible choice.

The pace should also suit people who like information in small portions. You taste, hear a few facts, walk, and taste again. That format keeps the beer from becoming the only subject and gives your palate a break between breweries.

La Barberie connects beer with cooperative values

The second stop is La Barberie, Quebec City’s second-oldest microbrewery. It was also the city’s first brewery to operate as a cooperative for its workers, giving this visit a social and local angle that goes beyond flavor.

La Barberie is especially known for using fruit across several beer styles. That makes it a useful stop for comparing how fruit can affect aroma, sweetness, acidity, and overall balance. You receive three beer samplers here, along with pretzels.

The pretzels are a practical match for the tasting. After the first brewery and the walk through St-Roch, you will appreciate having something substantial enough to slow down the alcohol and refresh your palate.

You also visit the beer cellars at La Barberie. This adds another production detail to the afternoon, though the supplied information does not specify how much time is spent there or whether the cellars are operating during every departure. Still, the cellar visit gives you another look at the storage side of brewing.

I see La Barberie as the stop with the clearest sense of place and purpose. Noctem introduces creative branding and the basics of brewing. La Barberie adds cooperative ownership, fruit-focused beer, cellars, and a snack that pairs naturally with the samples.

If you prefer only traditional beer styles, the fruit emphasis may not appeal to you at every pour. That is not a flaw, but it is worth knowing before you book. The tour is designed around variety, not a narrow list of lagers or classic ales.

La Korrigane provides a relaxed final stop

The final brewery is La Korrigane, where you taste three specialty beers and receive a selection of vegetable snacks. Ending with food that is different from the party mix and pretzels keeps the tasting menu from feeling repetitive.

The final stop also gives you a chance to compare a third brewery after hearing about two different approaches. By this point, you have tasted beers from Noctem and La Barberie, seen a brewing facility, visited cellars, and heard more about Quebec beer. La Korrigane completes the three-part picture.

The description of La Korrigane emphasizes a welcoming atmosphere. That makes sense for the last stop, when you may want time to settle into the tasting rather than absorb another large block of technical information.

The six beers at the first two breweries and the three at La Korrigane add up to nine samples. The precise pour size is not given, so you should not assume nine full glasses. These are samplers, intended to let you compare several products during the three-hour route.

The vegetable snacks may be especially helpful if you want a non-meat option. They are not described in detail, so you should not book this as a full meal or as a tour designed around dietary accommodation. Think of the food as three small snack servings spread across the afternoon.

What $50 gets you in real value

The price is $50 per person. For that fee, you receive a three-hour guided tour, visits to three craft breweries, nine beer samplers, three snacks, a brewery facility visit, a bilingual guide, and local taxes.

That is a solid package for someone who would otherwise pay separately for several tastings. The main value comes from the number of samples. Nine beers allow you to compare breweries and styles instead of forming an opinion from one glass at each stop.

The neighborhood commentary and brewing explanations add value too. You are paying for access and interpretation, not only alcohol. A good guide helps you understand what you are tasting and why each brewery has a different identity.

The price is less attractive if you are only interested in one specific beer style or if you drink very little. You may also find the nine samples too much if you are sensitive to alcohol. The tour does not state whether nonalcoholic substitutions are available, so you should ask before booking if that matters to you.

At $50, I would consider this a good buy for craft beer fans who want a structured introduction to Quebec City’s brewing scene. It is also useful early in your stay, since the guide can introduce you to St-Roch and point your attention toward an area you might otherwise miss.

Guide quality and the personal touch

The tour is offered in French and English, with a live guide. Specific guides praised in the feedback include Richard and Daniel. Richard was singled out for explaining beer clearly and helping make the afternoon enjoyable. Daniel was praised for sharing his passion generously and adapting easily to the group.

That flexibility matters on a tasting tour. Some people want brewing details. Others care more about local history, unusual flavors, or a relaxed social afternoon. A guide who can adjust the amount and style of explanation makes the experience easier to enjoy.

The feedback also points to a friendly social mood. Jeff described the guide and the other people on the tour as fun, while Jay appreciated trying beer flavors he had never encountered while mixing with local people. You should expect a group experience rather than private instruction.

The five-star feedback includes comments in both English and French, which fits the bilingual format. The overall rating is 5 out of 5 from 13 reviews. That is a small sample, so I would treat it as encouraging rather than proof that every departure will be identical.

The strongest praise centers on three things: clear explanations, guide enthusiasm, and the chance to discover unfamiliar flavors. Those are the parts I would value most when deciding if this tour fits your plans.

Practical details before you book

The legal drinking age in Quebec is 18. You should bring an ID card, and a copy is accepted. This is important because the tour includes alcohol and age verification may be required.

The tour lasts three hours, but the available starting times can vary. Check the date you want before making firm plans. Since the route operates rain or shine, do not choose shoes or clothing based only on the forecast at the time of booking.

You meet inside Noctem Artisans Brasseurs. The brewery staff can direct you to the guide. This is more useful than it sounds, since meeting points inside a working brewery can be less obvious than a street corner.

Cancellation is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Quebec City schedule is still shifting.

The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or children under 18. It is also not a good match for anyone who dislikes walking, beer-focused tastings, or group activities. The exact group size is not provided, so you should not assume a private or small-group format.

Who will enjoy these three breweries most

I would recommend this tour to anyone who enjoys craft beer but wants more than a list of bar stops. The facility access, cellar visit, brewing facts, and neighborhood walk give the afternoon some substance.

It is also a good choice for couples and friends who like social activities. The tasting format gives you an easy subject to discuss, while the three breweries keep the setting changing. The feedback from Jeff and Jay supports that relaxed, social character.

You do not need to be a beer expert. The tour explains basic brewing and includes varied products, so beginners can take part without feeling out of place. People with stronger beer knowledge may still enjoy the unusual styles and the local production details.

I would be more cautious if you want a full meal, a private tour, or a highly technical brewing class. The snacks are useful but small, and the facility access is described without promising an extended production lesson.

Should you book the Quebec City beer tour?

Book it if you want a generous, well-organized introduction to Quebec City’s craft beer scene. Nine samples, three snacks, three breweries, and access to a brewing facility make $50 a fair price, especially for someone who would normally pay for several tastings.

The best reason to go is the balance between beer and place. You learn about Noctem, La Barberie, and La Korrigane while walking through St-Roch and hearing about Quebec beer from a bilingual guide. Book with comfortable shoes, bring ID, and plan around the rain or shine policy.

Skip it if alcohol is not central to your plans, if you need a full meal, or if you prefer a private experience. For craft beer fans, though, this is one of the more useful ways to spend three hours in Quebec City.

FAQ

How long does the Quebec City craft brewery tour last?

The tour lasts three hours.

How many breweries does the tour visit?

You visit three Quebec City craft breweries: Noctem Artisans Brasseurs, La Barberie, and La Korrigane.

How many beer samples are included?

Nine craft beer samplers are included, with three samples at each brewery.

Are snacks included?

Yes. The tour includes three snacks: homemade party mix at Noctem, pretzels at La Barberie, and vegetable snacks at La Korrigane.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. The live guide speaks French and English.

Where does the tour begin?

You meet your guide inside Noctem Artisans Brasseurs. Brewery staff can help you locate the guide.

What is the legal drinking age for this tour?

The legal drinking age in Quebec is 18.

What should I bring?

Bring an ID card, comfortable shoes, and clothing suitable for the weather. A copy of your ID is accepted.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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