In the nineteenth century Over-the-Rhine was Cincinnati's German quarter and one of the great brewing districts in America, and the brewers dug deep stone cellars beneath the streets to keep their lager cold before refrigeration. Most of those breweries closed with Prohibition, the buildings above were reused or forgotten, and the cellars below were sealed. The Hidden Brewery Caverns Tour takes you down into them. Over about two hours a guide leads a small group through the brick tunnels and vaults of the old Linck and Jackson breweries and the last standing structures of the Christian Moerlein Brewery, telling the story of the immigrant families who built the city's beer trade and what happened when the taps were shut off. The tour ends with a beer tasting at the Northern Row Taproom. It is the most popular tour in Cincinnati on Viator, rated 5.0 from more than two thousand reviews, and it runs year-round.
What the tour covers: this is a walking tour of Over-the-Rhine with the underground sections as its highlight. You visit the cellars of two breweries and the surviving Moerlein buildings, hear how the lagering process worked, and learn how the neighborhood went from its brewing heyday through decline to its revival today. Guides mix brewing history with the human stories of the people who lived and worked here. The tasting at Northern Row at the end gives you a taste of the city's modern beer scene.
Practical details: the tour lasts about two hours and costs from about fifty-five dollars on Viator, with free cancellation. Expect stairs, uneven floors and low light underground, so wear sturdy shoes and bring a layer, since the cellars stay cool all year. The beer tasting is for adults of legal drinking age with ID; check the age rules on the booking page if you plan to bring teenagers. Meeting point and start times are shown when you book.
Making it count: book a few days ahead for weekends, when groups fill up. Combine the tour with lunch or dinner in Over-the-Rhine, which has one of the best concentrations of restaurants and bars in the Midwest, and with a walk past Music Hall and Washington Park. If you enjoy it, the same district has a full menu of beer, ghost and history tours, and Findlay Market is just to the north.
What to expect
The experience
A guided small-group walking tour of Over-the-Rhine that descends into historic brewery lagering cellars and ends with a beer tasting.
Best time
A weekday afternoon, followed by dinner in Over-the-Rhine.
How long
About two hours from the meeting point to the final tasting.
Tips
Wear sturdy shoes for the stairs and uneven floors, bring a layer for the cool cellars and carry ID for the tasting.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Beer lovers, history fans and anyone who likes seeing places normally closed to the public.
- Families
- Possible with older children who can manage stairs, but the tasting is for adults, so check the age rules first.
- Couples
- A memorable afternoon underground, then cocktails and dinner on Vine Street.
- Pair with
- The Findlay Market food tour, a walk through Washington Park or a drink in one of the district's breweries.
- Time needed
- Two hours, or half a day with a meal in Over-the-Rhine.
Good questions
What do you see on the Hidden Brewery Caverns Tour?+
The tour explores the underground cellars of the Linck and Jackson breweries and the last standing structures of the Christian Moerlein Brewery. It ends with a beer tasting at the Northern Row Taproom.
How long is the brewery caverns tour?+
It lasts about two hours. Most of that is walking, with several stops underground.
Is the tour suitable for people with limited mobility?+
It involves stairs, uneven surfaces and low light in the cellars. Visitors with mobility concerns should contact the operator before booking.
Does the tour run in winter?+
Yes, it runs year-round, and the cellars stay at a similar cool temperature in every season. Dress warmly for the walk between stops in November and December.
Can children join the caverns tour?+
The tour includes a beer tasting for adults with ID. Check the age policy on the booking page before you book for teenagers.
