Kelowna is famous for wine, but the city has quietly built one of the more interesting craft beer scenes in the interior of British Columbia, and a guided brewery tour is the easiest way to taste it. Instead of choosing a taproom, working out a route and worrying about who is driving, you join a small group that is taken from stop to stop, with a guide who knows the owners, the beers and the backstory. Expect to visit several breweries in a few hours, tasting a range from crisp lagers and hazy pale ales to darker seasonal pours and the occasional fruit-forward experiment that uses Okanagan orchard produce. The appeal is partly the beer and partly the context. Okanagan brewers have access to the same sunshine, water and orchards that support the valley's vineyards, and many lean on local hops, grains and fruit. Your guide will usually explain how a brewery is run, what separates the styles you are tasting and why a small independent taproom feels so different from a big commercial label. It is a relaxed, social way to spend an afternoon, popular with friends travelling together, couples who have already done the wineries and anyone who prefers a pint to a pinot.
What to do
Meet your guide at the start point, collect any tasting materials and head out to the first brewery. At each stop you will taste a few samples, hear about the beers and often have a chance to look at the brewhouse or tanks. Between stops the transport is handled for you, so the day does not hinge on a designated driver.
Most tours include some snacks or a lighter bite to go with the tasting, but check the inclusions for your booking, and do not treat the tour as a substitute for lunch if you are hungry. Pace yourself, drink water between samples and let the guide know about any dietary needs in advance.
Practical planning
Tours generally run in the afternoon and early evening and operate throughout much of the year, though the schedule can change with the season and with group size. You must be of legal drinking age and carry photo identification, and the operator can refuse service to anyone who is visibly intoxicated.
Wear comfortable shoes, since you may be on your feet in taprooms and walking short distances between venues, and bring a light layer for cooler evenings. If you have a gluten sensitivity, ask the operator what alternatives are available, as most of the pours will contain gluten.
Fitting it in
A brewery tour works well on a day when you have already seen a winery or finished a trail, because it adds a different flavour to the trip without feeling repetitive. It pairs naturally with the downtown food tour on a separate evening, and it suits a group that is divided between wine lovers and beer drinkers.
If you are staying near downtown, you can often be dropped back close to your hotel at the end. Book ahead for summer weekends and long weekends, when small groups fill quickly, and arrive a few minutes early so the tour can start on time.
What to expect
The experience
A guided, transport-included tasting tour that visits several Kelowna craft breweries for samples and brewery stories.
Best time
Afternoons and early evenings, especially after a day of wineries or trails when you want something different.
How long
Allow roughly three to four hours, depending on the tour you choose.
Tips
Bring photo identification, eat something beforehand, drink water between samples and tell the guide about any dietary needs.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Beer lovers, groups with mixed tastes and anyone who has done enough wine tasting.
- Families
- This is an adults-only tasting activity; families with older teenagers should check the age policy.
- Couples
- A relaxed afternoon followed by dinner downtown.
- Pair with
- The downtown food tour, City Park and a sunset walk along the waterfront.
- Time needed
- About half an afternoon.
Good questions
Is transport included?+
Yes, tours of this kind move the group between breweries so nobody has to drive. Check your booking for the exact pick-up and drop-off arrangements.
How many breweries will we visit?+
Tours typically visit several breweries and offer a flight of samples at each, but the number and the lineup can change, so check the details for your date.
Is food included?+
Many tours include a snack or light bite, but it is not a full meal. Eat beforehand if you are hungry, and check the inclusions.
What is the minimum age?+
You must be of legal drinking age and carry photo identification. Check the operator's conditions for any additional rules.
Can I join if I do not drink beer?+
Possibly, but the tour is built around tasting beer, so ask the operator whether non-alcoholic options are offered before you book.
