Pittsburgh has a long brewing history and a thriving modern craft beer scene, and this guided tour is the simplest way to sample both without worrying about navigation or driving. It runs about three and a half hours, is rated a perfect 5.0 from 148 reviews, and is designed for adults who want to understand what they are drinking rather than just collect pours. The tour visits local breweries with a guide who explains the styles, the brewing process and the neighborhoods that have turned old industrial buildings into taprooms. Pittsburgh's brewers lean on the city's immigrant heritage, German, Irish and Eastern European traditions among them, and the craft revival of the past two decades has added experimental beers to those classic lagers and ales. Which breweries you see, how you travel between them and how many tastings are included are set by the operator, so read the booking page for the current itinerary. It is a good evening or afternoon for friends and couples, and a natural companion to the Strip District food tour, since beer and Pittsburgh's pierogi and sandwiches go together well. The whiskey tour covers spirits; this one is for beer lovers.
What to expect
Groups are small, so you can ask questions and hear the stories behind each brewery. Expect tasting portions rather than full pints, some talk about ingredients and styles, and time to look around each taproom. The tour is for adults of drinking age and you should bring photo identification. Check the booking page for the itinerary, the means of transport and whether snacks are included.
Practical points
Eat a proper meal beforehand or choose a tour time that follows lunch, since three and a half hours of beer is a lot on an empty stomach. Wear comfortable shoes, drink water between stops and plan how you will get back to your hotel afterwards, as you should not drive. Tell the operator about dietary needs in advance, and if you do not drink alcohol, ask whether the tour can accommodate you or choose one of the food tours instead.
Making it count
This tour is best early in a trip, when its recommendations can guide your evenings, because guides tend to share their favorite spots for dinner and for more beer. Pair it with the Whiskey Rebellion and Prohibition Tour for a full day of local drink history, or keep an evening free for a ghost tour afterwards, which is a lighter way to end the day.
Plan a late start to your next morning. Pittsburgh's beer story is also a neighborhood story. Many of the best taprooms occupy former factories, warehouses and churches, and the tour is a way of seeing parts of the city that visitors rarely reach on their own, with a guide who can explain the architecture as well as the beer.
Even if you consider yourself a casual drinker, the combination of local history, small tastings and conversation with brewers or staff makes it a social, easygoing outing. Ask your guide which styles are local favorites, and take notes if you want to find the same beers in a bottle shop before you leave. Remember that tastings add up, so pace yourself, say yes to water and keep food in your plans for the evening.
What to expect
The experience
A guided small-group tour of local craft breweries with tastings, for adults of drinking age.
Best time
An afternoon or early evening, after a proper lunch, so you can make a night of it.
How long
About three and a half hours.
Tips
Bring photo identification, eat beforehand, drink water between stops and arrange a ride back rather than driving.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Craft beer fans and curious drinkers who want a guide to the local scene.
- Families
- Not suitable for children, as the tour is for adults of drinking age.
- Couples
- A relaxed few hours of tastings and stories that makes a good date afternoon.
- Pair with
- The Strip District food tour on another day, or a ghost tour afterwards.
- Time needed
- Three and a half hours plus travel to the meeting point.
Good questions
How long is the brewery tour?+
It lasts about three and a half hours.
Is the tour only for adults?+
Yes, it is designed for adults of drinking age, and you should carry photo identification.
Are tastings included?+
The tour is built around brewery tastings, but the number and style are set by the operator, so check the booking page for what is included.
Is food included?+
Check the booking page, and eat a good meal beforehand either way.
How does this differ from the whiskey tour?+
This tour focuses on craft beer and breweries, while the Whiskey Rebellion and Prohibition Tour is a walking tour about spirits and early American history.
