Cosmopolitan Calgary owes its stratospheric economic rise to it position at the centre of Canada’s oil industry. The natural resource has furnished the city with untold wealth, much of which has been used to untap its corporate and commercial potential, with glistening skyscrapers now dominating the landscape.
Another beneficiary has been the city’s burgeoning troupe of breweries, and its residents growing taste for craft beer. There are a vast number of companies offering brewery and beer-themed tours both in Calgary itself and the wider region. If you’d like to join such a tour, you may well find our list below useful.
Half-Day Craft Beer Tour from Calgary
From $100 per person
Immerse yourself in Alberta’s vibrant beer brewing scene on this this 5-hour tour from Calgary. The tour begins at Brewsters in Calgary, widely considered the region’s most influential pioneer of craft brewpubs, where you’ll tuck into a mouth-watering brunch complemented by the venue’s award-winning beer. Next up, you’ll be whisked away to a newer brewery, Common Crown Brewing, which not only produces beer but also hosts live music performances. Finally, you’ll visit Big Rock Brewery, another doyen of Alberta’s craft beer industry, and Annex Ale Project, where you’ll partake in some amazing brews and sodas. At you end of your tour, you can choose to be dropped off either at the original pick up at the Calgary Tower, East Village, or along trendy 17th Ave., home to many exceptional brew pubs.
High Line Brewing Tour
Free Entry
Located in the heart of Calgary’s historic neighbourhood of Inglewood, High Line Brewing hosts casual tours and tastings of its distinguished premises during business hours for anyone who requests one, as well as private tours on occasion too. In fact, the tap room is set up so that the brewing area is in full view all the time, so anyone can wander in and take a look around should they wish. The brewery produces an ever evolving selection of craft beer, with up to nine original recipes on tap at any one time (including one dedicated to nitro beers), ensuring there’ll always be something new and exciting for visitors to sample. A guided tour give you a chance to explore the venue’s brew space where production takes place, before retiring to the 23-seat tasting room for some sumptuous tastings..
Village Brewery Tour and Tasting
$15 per person
A brewery with a keen focus on helping to foster strong community cohesion, the Village Brewery invites visitors to come and get a taste of this noble philosophy – but not before they’ve had a taste of its delicious and distinctive beers. Tours take place every Saturday afternoon and include a facility walkthrough, beer tasting, an in-depth explanation of all the brewery’s beers and the history of the venue, and a souvenir pint glass to take home and use at your leisure whenever you fancy a tipple. The brewery is also home to an art gallery and a kid-friendly taproom where the grown-ups can sample pints, flights, growler fills and, last but not least, popcorn.