Over the years, Calgary has transformed into a microbrewing hub. The number of breweries in Calgary keeps growing, while the number of bar taps offering these local brews also grows. Finding great local beer in Calgary is simple. You can visit the local taprooms, find them on tap, or find out what stores stock your favourite local beer.
And the warmer months also make it easy to tour Calgary’s breweries or distilleries. Don’t try one; try them all!
There are several ways to tour Calgary’s beer and spirit scene. Some are walking tours, while some include transportation between locations. Additionally, a few local breweries and distilleries offer behind-the-scenes tours of their facilities.
A Calgary beer or brewery tour, or a Calgary distillery tour, is a chance to learn about the production process, to meet the locals who created your favourite flavours, and to taste the creations.
YYC Tours
With YYC Tours, guests can choose between three different ways of seeing Calgary’s spirited side. The Tours can focus on wine and spirits, spirits only, or breweries. Each tour includes a variety of tasting samples, gourmet snacks to pair with the drinks, tours of the facilities, and transportation. YYC Tours also host special out-of-town events for tasting more Alberta beer, wine, or spirits.
When: all summer
Where: pickup and meeting location is at the Calgary Tower
How much: $90-$109 per person
Canadian Craft Tours
If you search online for brewery tours in Calgary, a few different options show up. However, many of them lead to the Canadian Craft Tours booking system, as they are all now one! The tour operator offers a wide variety of tours across Canada, including breweries in Calgary, and some Stampede specials in July.
When: 7 days a week all summer
Where: pickup and meeting location is at the Fairfield Inn and Suites 239 12th Ave SW
How much: $95 per person
Brewz n Booze
The Brewz n Booze Tours are an opportunity to discover the brewery or distillery scene in Calgary, and then some! Brews n Booze Tours depart from Calgary and will often explore businesses in Calgary. And afterwards, they can take you to stops like a Black Diamond distillery, a Cochrane distillery, or a taproom in Rocky View. Along the journey, the company will provide entertainment like stand-up comedians, or drag performances. They also host a special Christmas half-day tour.
When: Year-round, various dates.
Where: trips depart from Calgary
How much: $249-$259
Walk the YYC
Walk the YYC offers a variety of fun city tours through Calgary. Not all the walking tours centre around beer or alcohol; other tours include themes of history, ghosts, or pop culture. But if you’re after a beer and brewery, you can book their Private Beer & BBQ Tour. Tours include four brewery stops, a barbecue meal, and entertainment.
When: Friday-Sunday
Where: Departs from the Calgary Tower
How much: $125
Bridgeland Distillery
Calgary’s Bridgeland Distillery is known for its dark and light liquors and unique liqueurs. Find out how these whiskeys, malts, mashes, or brandy bottles come to be with the tour opportunity. The tour gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the production process and the creativity behind distilling. The tour concludes with a cocktail-tasting session.
When: Friday-Sunday each week
Where: 77 Edmonton Tr.
How much: $20 per person
Wild Rose Brewery
The Wild Rose Brewery Tours aren’t your average walk-through. These are Beer 101 classes with a full look at the history of beer in Alberta. Plus, you will get to learn about the Wild Rose brewing process. Also watch the Wildrose website for new beer launch parties.
When: various summer dates
Where: 4580 Quesnay Wood Dr SW
How much: $28.48 per person
88 Brewing Company
The tour and tasting tickets from 88 Brewing Company are for two people’s experience. So, this brewery tour experience is for sharing. Share the tickets with dad for Father’s Day, with your partner for a unique date, or with anyone in your life who appreciates a frosty brew. Tickets include a brewery tour, and a tasting flight per person.
When: by request
Where: #1070 2600 Portland St. SE
How much: $30 per two people
Village Brewery
The Village Brewery Tours and Tastings recently started up as of the beginning of June. The tour is a great chance to learn about beer and meet the Calgarians who make it. The tour concludes with a private tasting experience.
When: by request
Where: 5000 12A Street SE
How much: $20 per person
Born Brewing
You are invited to Born Brewing on any summer Saturday to take advantage of the afternoon brewery tours. They also accept inquiries for private tours and tastings outside of these hours. At the end of the tour, check out all the beer you just learned about through your tasting flight.
When: Saturdays 12pm-3pm
Where: 414 36 AVENUE SE
How much: $15 per person
DIY Walking Tour
Create your own brewery tour! This can be easy on foot, or with the help of the C-train.
- On the north side of downtown Calgary, you can follow 10 Avenue SW between 5th & 15th Street to tour six different breweries.
- East of Barlow Trail NE, there are four different breweries withing walking distance of one another between Moraine Rd. and 33 Street NE.
- Six breweries are withing close distance of one another between the Elbow River, and Blackfoot Trail SE in the Mills Estate neighbourhood.
- Further south along Blackfoot Trail are several more breweries in the Manchester area.
Use this map to find all of Calgary’s local brews.