The Old Town Breweries and Distilleries Tour

Fort Collins pours its character. This two-hour walking experience links Mobb Mountain Distillers with Hello Brew Company, giving you a compact look at how spirits and craft beer are made in the heart of Old Town. I like the mix of distilling and brewing in one outing, and I like the small group limit of 10 people, which should make it easier to hear the guide and ask questions. The main catch is simple: alcohol is not included, so tastings and drinks cost extra.

The tour begins at 2 p.m. at 19 Old Town Square and returns to that same spot. Guide Shane has earned especially strong praise for explaining Fort Collins history and the role alcohol played in it, so this is more than a quick stop for drinks. Still, at about two hours, the experience offers an introduction rather than a full brewery crawl.

Key points at a glance

• Two production styles in one short tour: Compare the work of a distiller at Mobb Mountain Distillers with the small-batch brewing approach at Hello Brew Company.
• A 10-person maximum: The small group size should keep the visit personal and make questions practical rather than awkward.
• History comes with the drinks: Guide Shane connects Fort Collins history with the city’s alcohol trade and drinking culture.
• Alcohol costs extra: The tour covers guided explanations, while any tasting or drinking specials must be purchased separately.
• A central Old Town start and finish: You meet at 19 Old Town Square and end back there, making the outing easy to fit into a day downtown.
• Adults only: Everyone must be at least 21 and show proof of age.

Why this two-hour format works in Fort Collins

Fort Collins is well known for its craft beer scene, but beer is only part of the local story. This tour adds a distillery visit, giving you two different ways to understand alcohol production without committing half a day to a long excursion.

I like the efficient format. You spend roughly 30 minutes at each venue, with guided information built into both stops. That is enough time to learn the basic process and get a feel for each business, but not so much that the afternoon becomes a technical lecture.

The compact schedule also suits a first visit to Fort Collins. You can use the tour as an introduction, then decide which type of drink or venue deserves more of your evening. If you already know a great deal about fermentation or distillation, you may find the short explanations familiar. For most people, though, the contrast between spirits and beer gives the outing a clear purpose.

The small group limit matters here. A maximum of 10 people is far more manageable than a large bar crawl. You should have a better chance to hear the guide, follow the explanations, and ask about the equipment or methods used at each stop.

Starting at Mobb Mountain Distillers

The first stop is Mobb Mountain Distillers, where the focus is on the distilling process. You receive about 30 minutes of guided information, with admission included in the tour.

Distilling can seem mysterious if you only encounter the finished bottle. This visit gives the process a place in the real world. You can expect the guide to explain how a distillery turns its ingredients into spirits and how that work differs from brewing beer. The supplied details do not promise a full production-floor visit or a specific spirit tasting, so you should think of this as an educational stop rather than a guaranteed sampling session.

That distinction is important. Alcohol is not included, although the venue may offer specials that you can purchase. If you want to sample a drink, bring a payment method and budget for an extra charge. The tour fee pays for the guided experience, not a set number of pours.

I see this stop as a good choice for anyone curious about the craft behind spirits. It also gives the outing variety right away. Instead of visiting two similar beer rooms, you begin with a different type of producer and then move to a brewery.

Because the visit lasts only half an hour, keep your expectations sensible. You will get an introduction to distilling, not a full course in spirits production. If the guide is as engaging as Shane is described to be, the value comes from making the process understandable and placing it in the context of Fort Collins.

Hello Brew Company and the small-brewery feel

The second stop is Hello Brew Company, a small mom-and-pop brewery with several standard beers and more inventive brews. Admission is included, while drinks and any special tasting offers are extra.

This is likely the more relaxed and playful stop of the two. The brewery offers familiar styles alongside creative options, so you may find something approachable even if you do not usually chase unusual beer. At the same time, the inventive choices give experienced beer drinkers a reason to pay attention.

I like the emphasis on a small local operation. Large breweries can provide polished tours, but a small brewery often makes the people and process easier to understand. Here, the point is not just the beverage in your glass. It is also the scale of the business and the way a local brewery builds its identity through its beer.

You should not assume that every listed beer or special will be available on the day of your visit. The information only says that several varieties are offered and that the venue may have specials. That is enough to make the stop appealing, but not enough to promise a particular pint or flight.

The 30-minute visit is well judged for a short afternoon tour. You can hear about brewing, look at the available choices, and decide if you want to buy a drink without feeling committed to a long tasting session. If you want to linger over several beers, plan to return later on your own.

The history angle gives the tour more weight

The most praised part of the experience is the guide’s ability to connect local history with alcohol. Shane is specifically praised for explaining how drinking and alcohol fit into Fort Collins history, along with the brewing and distilling process.

That connection makes the tour more useful than a simple sequence of tastings. A drink can tell you something about a place, but only if someone provides the context. Fort Collins is not presented as just a collection of places to buy beer. The city’s past becomes part of the discussion.

I also like that the history appears to support the visit rather than overwhelm it. You still spend time at two working alcohol businesses, but the guide helps explain why those businesses matter within the town. If you enjoy local stories, this may be the part you remember after the drinks are gone.

The quality of the guide will shape the outing. A good guide can make a basic production explanation clear and lively. Shane’s strong feedback suggests that the guiding is a major reason to book, especially if you prefer an organized introduction over wandering between bars with no background.

What is included, and what you will pay extra for

The included service is guided information about brewing and distilling, plus admission to the two scheduled stops. Alcoholic drinks are not included.

That setup can offer good value if you want structure and local background without paying for a large amount of alcohol you may not want. You control your spending at each venue. You can purchase a special, order a drink, or simply listen and continue.

The downside is that the advertised tour price is not your full drinking budget. If you expect several samples to be covered, this experience may feel less generous than a conventional tasting tour. Before booking, I would treat the cost as two separate parts: the tour fee for the guide and access, plus whatever you choose to buy.

No price is provided in the supplied details, so I cannot fairly judge the dollar amount. The value depends on how much you care about the guided history and production information. If you mainly want inexpensive drinks, you may prefer visiting a brewery independently. If you want a short, organized introduction to two different makers, the fee may be worthwhile.

Timing, meeting point, and getting around

You meet at 19 Old Town Square in Fort Collins at 2 p.m. The activity ends at the same meeting point.

That arrangement is convenient because you do not need to solve a second pickup problem at the end. You can make plans in Old Town before or after the tour, though the supplied information does not specify the walking distance between stops or the exact route.

The tour lasts about two hours. With a 2 p.m. start, you should be finished around 4 p.m., allowing for normal timing changes. I would avoid scheduling something immediately afterward, especially if you plan to buy a drink at either stop.

The experience is offered in English. It is near public transportation, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed. The supplied details do not provide information about step-free access, seating, or the exact walking demands, so contact the operator if those points matter to you.

Who will get the most from this tour

This outing suits you if you want a short introduction to Fort Collins drinking culture rather than an all-day beer expedition. It works particularly well for adults who enjoy local history, small businesses, and learning how a drink is produced.

It is also a good fit for mixed groups. One person may prefer spirits, another may prefer beer, and both get a dedicated stop. The tour does not force you to choose between a distillery and a brewery.

You may want to skip it if you need alcohol included in the ticket price. It may also feel too brief if your main goal is to visit many breweries or spend a long time tasting. Two stops in two hours gives you breadth, not a full survey of Fort Collins beer and spirits.

The age rule is firm. Everyone must be 21 or older and provide proof of age. Bring acceptable identification, since entry is not designed for younger participants.

Practical booking advice and cancellation terms

Confirmation is provided when you book. The tour requires a minimum number of participants, and poor weather can also affect operation. If the operator cancels for either reason, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the 2 p.m. start are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off follows local time.

Since the tour takes place at alcohol venues and requires some movement between stops, comfortable clothing and sensible footwear are useful choices. That is practical advice rather than a stated dress rule. Most importantly, bring proof of age and decide in advance how much you want to spend on drinks.

Should you book the Old Town Breweries and Distilleries Tour?

Book it if you want a focused two-hour introduction to Fort Collins brewing and distilling, with local history supplied by a guide and a small group capped at 10 people. The combination of Mobb Mountain Distillers and Hello Brew Company gives the outing a useful contrast, and Shane’s praised storytelling adds a personal touch.

Skip it if you are looking for a full-day brewery crawl, a ticket with alcohol included, or long tastings at each stop. For the right audience, this is a tidy way to get oriented, learn how two types of drinks are made, and leave the afternoon open for more Old Town exploring.

FAQ

How long does the Old Town Breweries and Distilleries Tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at 19 Old Town Square, Fort Collins, Colorado 80524.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 2 p.m.

Which venues are included?

The tour visits Mobb Mountain Distillers and Hello Brew Company.

Is alcohol included in the tour price?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included, though each venue may offer specials for you to purchase.

Is the tour suitable for anyone under 21?

No. The experience is for people age 21 and older, and proof of age is required.