Three breweries, one smooth plan.

If you want a craft-beer afternoon without the headache of rides, lines, or researching each stop, this Calgary Brewery Tour does the heavy lifting. You hop between three breweries in an air-conditioned vehicle, and every stop includes a beer flight, with the whole thing offered in English.

What I like most is the structure, each brewery gets about 45 minutes, so you can taste, chat, and still keep the pace fun. I also love that the host brings the ride to life, in particular Conner, who is known for sharing smart beer talk and pointing out places of interest as you drive around. One drawback to consider: you do not get hotel pickup, so you’ll need to get yourself to the start point at Fairfield by Marriott Inn and Suites Calgary Downtown.

Key Stops That Make This Tour Worth Your Time

• Three beer flights, one at each brewery, so you taste more than you could on a solo visit
• 45 minutes per stop, which helps you avoid the rushed-feel some group tours create
• Small group size (max 14), a good match for conversation without feeling crowded
• Host-led experience with Calgary context, including Conner’s on-the-road spotlights
• A mix of beer styles, including solid IPA and lager selection in the sampling

How the Tour Actually Feels in Real Life

This is a classic city-and-craft-beer format: you get a planned route, transport between locations, and time set aside to enjoy each brewery on its own terms. The total time is about 3 hours 30 minutes, and because it ends back at the meeting point, it’s easy to plug into the rest of your day.

The biggest practical win is the beer is built into the schedule. You are not buying tastings separately at each stop, and you are not stuck trying to coordinate rides after a few samples. Instead, you can focus on what matters: taste, atmosphere, and the conversation.

Also, the tour uses a mobile ticket, which keeps things simple when you are moving between places. Confirmation is provided at booking, so you are not guessing whether everything is locked in.

Your Starting Point: Fairfield by Marriott Downtown Calgary

You meet at Fairfield by Marriott Inn and Suites Calgary Downtown, 239 12 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 1H7. That matters because it tells you exactly where to aim when your phone map app is recalculating, especially if you are arriving from another part of the city.

The tour ends back at that same meeting point. So if you are planning dinner or a show later, you can treat the tour as a self-contained chunk of time.

One other detail that makes life easier: the start location is near public transportation. That is a big deal if you do not want to pay for taxis all afternoon, or if you are pairing this with other Calgary plans.

Stop 1: Bow River Brewing and Its 8 Beers on Tap

Bow River Brewing is your first taste of the day, with about 45 minutes to settle in. They have 8 beers on tap, plus seasonal options, which is a strong setup for variety early in the itinerary. The goal here is simple: get your bearings, try a flight, and start comparing flavors before your palate gets too tired.

This stop works well because it is not a one-note brewery experience. When there are multiple styles available at once, you can spend your time making comparisons, like hop-forward versus malt-forward, or crisp lager versus something more seasonal.

A small consideration: because this is the first stop, you may want to pace yourself. It is tempting to jump into your favorite style first, but leaving a little room makes later flights more enjoyable instead of repetitive.

Stop 2: OT Brewing Company and a Friendly, In-the-Moment Vibe

Next up is OT Brewing Company, again with around 45 minutes on-site. The brewery’s own message is about being present and enjoying the brew, no matter what OT means to you personally. That theme shows up in the way this stop is likely to feel: relaxed, conversational, and geared toward people who want to enjoy the moment rather than rush through a checklist.

From a value standpoint, this is where the tour earns its keep. You are not just walking in, tasting one beer, and leaving. You have a full block of time to do your flight at a comfortable pace, and because the tour repeats the flight format at each stop, you can track what changes across breweries.

If you are picky about style, this is also a good stop to take notes. The itinerary is designed so you get a meaningful sampling pattern, and that makes it easier to remember what you actually liked when you are back in your hotel.

Stop 3: Born Brewing Co., Beer Plus Space to Make It Yours

Born Brewing Co. is the third stop, with another 45 minutes to enjoy your final flight. This brewery’s vibe is built around connection and storytelling, with the idea that you will meet strangers, laugh, and leave with more than just beer memories.

Why I think this last stop is a smart choice: it gives you a closing scene that is less about checking boxes and more about enjoying the social side of craft beer. By the time you reach the end, you’ve already tasted across multiple breweries, so you can focus on atmosphere and conversation rather than constant decision-making.

One practical tip: treat this stop as your final chance to slow down. Your last flight is often the one you enjoy most if you pace the earlier stops. If you saved your favorites from the first two, you will likely walk out feeling like you got a complete beer picture.

The Ride Between Stops: Conner’s Beer Talk and Calgary Context

Between breweries, you ride in an air-conditioned vehicle, which is a comfort win in Calgary weather. The ride time is part of the experience, not just downtime.

In the feedback for this tour, Conner gets highlighted for being knowledgeable and for pointing out places of interest while driving. That kind of added context matters because it turns the day from three separate visits into a connected Calgary story. Even if you only know a little about the city, the drive can help you feel oriented, like you are getting more than beer.

Also, with a maximum of 14 travelers, the vehicle setup tends to support conversation. You can ask questions without feeling like you are shouting over a crowd.

Price and Value: Is $89.71 a Good Deal?

At $89.71 per person, this tour is not a throwaway activity. But the value stacks up when you look at what’s included.

You get:

• Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle
• A beer flight of samples at each of the 3 breweries, one flight per stop
• A guided schedule that keeps you from spending time coordinating between places

A helpful way to think about cost here is this: if you planned to visit three breweries on your own, you would likely spend money on tastings, plus you would still need a plan for getting from place to place. This tour replaces the logistics with a bundled experience.

Also, each stop is ticketed as admission free for that timeframe, and the tour structure keeps you inside the tasting window. That matters because brewery visits can stretch long if you are deciding what to order, waiting for service, or getting pulled into conversations without a time buffer. Here, the time is built in.

One more value angle: group tours often cut down on decision fatigue. You are still choosing what to drink within each flight, but you do not have to design the whole day from scratch.

Timing and Pacing: 3 Hours 30 Minutes Without Feeling Rushed

The whole tour runs about 3 hours 30 minutes. With 45 minutes per stop, you get a tight but not frantic rhythm. This pacing is helpful because you can actually taste, not just sample a quick pour and run.

It also gives you a realistic plan for the rest of the day. You can schedule this earlier to keep dinner free, or do it later if you want a craft-beer anchor before a night out.

If you are someone who loves beer variety, you will probably enjoy this format. You get multiple breweries, and because the sampling is planned, you can compare styles and breweries without constantly recalculating.

Who This Tour Fits Best

This tour is a strong fit if you want:

• Craft beer sampling across multiple breweries in one outing
• A guided schedule that reduces planning stress
• A small-group experience where conversation is possible

It also works well for groups of friends who want to catch up, or couples who enjoy trying different styles together. Since the tour is offered in English and most people can participate, it’s an easy option for visitors who want a guided beer day.

If you are the type who only likes one beer style and never deviates, you might still have fun, but you will need to pace your choices across flights so it does not feel repetitive. The tour is built for variety.

Practical Tips Before You Go

These are small, but they make the day smoother.

• Eat something before you go, beer flights stack across three stops.
• Bring a reusable water bottle if you like to stay comfortable.
• If you have favorite styles, use the first stop to set your comparison points, IPA versus lager, hop level, or malt character.
• Expect conversation. With a max of 14, it’s not silent museum time.

Also note that gratuity is not included, so plan to tip in your own way at the end.

Should You Book the Calgary Brewery Tour?

Book it if you want a low-stress craft-beer afternoon with built-in beer flights, air-conditioned transport, and a host who keeps the ride and tastings lively. The combination of three brewery stops, structured tasting time, and the standout hosting energy from Conner makes this feel like more than just a checklist.

Skip or reconsider if you are expecting food, or if you need hotel pickup. This is beer-forward, and you will start at the Fairfield by Marriott downtown address.

If you want an efficient way to sample Calgary breweries and still have energy left for the rest of your day, this one is a solid choice.

FAQ

How long is the Calgary Brewery Tour?

The tour duration is approximately 3 hours 30 minutes.

What does the tour cost?

It costs $89.71 per person.

What breweries are included?

The tour visits Bow River Brewing, OT Brewing Company, and Born Brewing Co.

Are beer samples included in the price?

Yes. Alcoholic beverages are included as 1 flight of beer samples at each of the 3 breweries.

Is gratuity included?

No, gratuity is not included.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup is not included, and the tour starts at Fairfield by Marriott Inn and Suites Calgary Downtown.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Fairfield by Marriott Inn and Suites Calgary Downtown, 239 12 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2R 1H7, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

How many travelers are on the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 14 travelers.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.