Calgary Brewery Tour

Calgary’s craft beer scene is easy to sample on this three-brewery outing, with flights included at Bow River Brewing, OT Brewing Company, and Born Brewing Co. The air-conditioned vehicle keeps the route simple, while the small group size, capped at 14, leaves room for a more personal ride.

I like the three generous tasting stops and the chance to try different beer styles without arranging transportation yourself. I also like the city context from guide Conner, who points out places of interest while driving between breweries.

The main drawback is the fixed meeting point downtown. Hotel pickup is not included, and each brewery visit lasts about 45 minutes, so this suits you best if you want a focused tasting tour rather than a long afternoon at one taproom.

Key points at a glance

• Three Calgary breweries in one afternoon: Visit Bow River Brewing, OT Brewing Company, and Born Brewing Co.
• A beer flight at every stop: Your package includes one flight of beer samples at each brewery.
• About three and a half hours: The schedule gives you roughly 45 minutes at each brewery, with driving time between stops.
• Air-conditioned transportation: You move between breweries in a vehicle instead of arranging separate rides.
• Small group limit: The tour accepts a maximum of 14 people.
• Downtown start and finish: Meet at the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Calgary Downtown, with no hotel pickup.

Three breweries, one easy Calgary route

The appeal here is simple: you get a guided introduction to three local breweries without having to plan the route, monitor the clock, or decide who will drive. In about three and a half hours, you move from one taproom to the next and receive a flight of beer at each stop.

That makes the outing useful for you if Calgary is new to you, or if you want a quick taste of the city’s brewing scene before moving on to other plans. It is not a full-day brewery crawl. The pace is tighter, with approximately 45 minutes at each brewery, so you should expect sampling and a look around rather than a long, slow session at every stop.

The group limit of 14 is another practical advantage. It is not a private tour, but it is small enough to avoid the feel of a large coach outing. Conner has led the route and adds observations about Calgary as you drive, giving the ride more purpose than simply getting from one taproom to another.

The tour begins and ends at the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Calgary Downtown at 239 12 Ave SW. Since hotel pickup is not offered, plan to reach that meeting point on your own. The location is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying elsewhere in Calgary.

Bow River Brewing: a broad opening flight

The first stop is Bow River Brewing, which offers eight beers on tap along with seasonal selections. That gives you a useful range at the start of the afternoon, especially if your group has different tastes.

You might find familiar choices alongside less predictable seasonal pours. The available information does not specify the exact beers served on a particular day, so treat the tap list as changeable. The eight-tap setup does mean the brewery can offer variety, rather than forcing every visitor toward one narrow style.

Your included flight is the key feature here. You can compare several small samples instead of committing to a full glass before you know what you like. A flight also helps you notice differences between lagers, IPAs, and seasonal beers, even if you are new to craft brewing.

The 45-minute stop should give you time to sample and get a sense of the place. It may feel brief if you want to study every beer or settle in for another round. For a first stop on a three-brewery route, though, the shorter visit keeps the day moving.

OT Brewing Company: a stop built around the brew

OT Brewing Company follows the first brewery. Its message centers on taking a moment and enjoying a great OT brew, with the meaning of the two letters left open to personal interpretation.

The supplied details do not name particular beer styles or list the number of taps here, so you should not arrive expecting a set menu. Instead, think of OT as one part of a varied tasting route. The flight lets you try what is being served during your visit, while the guide keeps the schedule on track.

This stop may be especially useful if your group has mixed preferences. At a brewery tour, different people often want different things, and sampling makes it easier for each person to find a preferred pour without buying several full drinks.

There is also value in the contrast between stops. You are not visiting three identical rooms with the same beer list. Each brewery gives the afternoon another setting and another set of samples, even though the tour does not provide a long time at any one location.

Born Brewing Co.: beer with a community feel

The final brewery is Born Brewing Co., which presents itself as a place where people meet over beer, conversation, and shared stories. Its identity is tied to Calgary and to the idea of giving people a space to create their own experience.

That makes Born a fitting final stop. By this point, you have already sampled beers at two breweries, so you can compare what you find here with the earlier flights. The 45-minute visit is enough for a focused final tasting, but it is not designed as an open-ended evening.

Born’s description places attention on social connection as much as on the beer. If you enjoy the atmosphere of a taproom and like meeting people through food and drink, this part of the route may appeal to you. If your main goal is technical brewing education, keep your expectations measured. The tour information focuses on the place and its social character, not on a detailed brewing lesson.

What the beer flights add to the price

The tour costs $89.71 per person. That price includes one flight of beer samples at each of the three breweries, along with transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle. Gratuity is not included.

The value depends on how you would otherwise arrange the afternoon. You are paying for three tasting opportunities, a planned route, and a driver, rather than simply paying for beer. If you visited the breweries independently, you would still need to organize transportation and decide how to move between stops. The included vehicle is particularly useful because the tour involves alcohol at all three locations.

The flight format also improves the value for anyone who prefers variety. Instead of buying one full beer at each brewery, you get a chance to sample several beers at every stop. A previous outing with Conner included generous-sized pours and a mix of IPAs and lagers, so you may receive more than the tiny taste often associated with a formal sampling flight. Exact pours and beer choices can vary.

Still, this is not the cheapest option if you only want one beer in one taproom. You are paying for convenience and coverage. The price makes the most sense if you want to visit three breweries in a short period and do not want to manage the driving yourself.

Conner’s role between the taprooms

The ride between breweries is part of the experience, not just a transfer. Conner has been praised for explaining the beers and pointing out places of interest around Calgary while driving.

That matters because the brewery visits are limited to about 45 minutes. You are not spending hours at each location, so the guide helps connect the stops into one city outing. His comments can give you a little more sense of Calgary beyond the taprooms.

The available information identifies Conner by name, but it does not promise that he will lead every departure. If having a specific guide is important to you, confirm that before booking. The tour is offered in English.

I would also treat the guide’s city commentary as a pleasant extra rather than a full sightseeing tour. The main purpose is brewery sampling. You will see places of interest from the vehicle, but the experience is not presented as a dedicated city tour.

Timing, meeting point, and group size

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. Each brewery stop is listed at about 45 minutes, with the remaining time used for transportation and transitions.

That schedule works well for a half-day plan. You can fit it around other Calgary activities, but leave some breathing room before making a time-sensitive reservation afterward. Brewery visits can involve group movement, and the stated duration is approximate.

You meet at the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Calgary Downtown, 239 12 Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta. The activity returns to that same point at the end. Since hotel pickup is not part of the package, you need to handle your own way to the start.

The maximum group size is 14. That is small enough for a more manageable outing, but it does not guarantee a private experience. If you want a completely personal route or a custom pace, this is not described as a private tour.

The tour uses a mobile ticket and is offered in English. Confirmation is received at booking, which makes it easier to keep the meeting details available on your phone.

Who will get the most from this brewery tour

I would recommend this experience to you if you want a structured introduction to Calgary beer without spending a full day planning. It fits couples, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy tasting several beers and sharing a vehicle with a small group.

It is also a good match for anyone who wants to sample both IPAs and lagers. A previous outing with Conner included both styles, along with generous pours, though the exact selection can change.

You may want to choose another plan if you prefer long visits, extensive brewery tours, or detailed production talks. The schedule is built around three short stops, not one in-depth look at how beer is made.

The tour may also be less suitable if you need hotel transportation. You must reach the downtown meeting point yourself, and the return is to that same location rather than to your accommodation.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is near public transportation, which helps with access to the starting point. The supplied information does not list specific vehicle accessibility details, so contact the provider if you have a particular mobility need.

A practical way to plan your afternoon

Before booking, think about what you want from the experience. If your priority is variety, the three included flights are the main reason to go. If your priority is a relaxed evening at one favorite brewery, the 45-minute limit at each stop may feel too short.

Arrive at the downtown meeting point with enough time to find the Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites. Keep the mobile ticket ready, and remember that gratuity is separate from the listed price.

Since the tour includes alcohol at each brewery, the included vehicle is more than a convenience. It removes the need to choose a driver within your group. You still need to pace yourself, as the route includes three tasting stops in one afternoon.

The tour can be canceled up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. That gives you some flexibility if your Calgary plans change, but the policy does not promise a refund for a cancellation inside that 24-hour window.

Should you book the Calgary Brewery Tour?

Book it if you want three breweries, three included flights, and simple transportation in one compact outing. The route gives you variety, the group is limited to 14, and Conner’s beer and city commentary adds useful context between stops.

Skip it if you want a long, unhurried brewery visit or hotel pickup. At $89.71, the strongest value comes from using all three tastings and letting the vehicle handle the route. For a first look at Calgary’s craft beer scene, that is a practical trade.

FAQ

How much does the Calgary Brewery Tour cost?

The price is $89.71 per person.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Which breweries are included?

The route includes Bow River Brewing, OT Brewing Company, and Born Brewing Co.

Are beer samples included?

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

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transportation is provided in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Where does the tour start?

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

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup is not included.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 14 people.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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

Are service animals allowed?

Yes. Service animals are allowed.