Chicago is lively, with a rich history, beautiful architecture, and a diverse cultural scene. It is situated on the shores of Lake Michigan and is known for its thriving craft beer culture.
Chicago is renowned for its food and beverage scene, and one of the best things for tourists and locals is to take a brewery tour.
These brewery tours in Chicago offer a unique and engaging experience, allowing you to taste the city’s best brews while learning about its fascinating brewing heritage.
Whether you’re a beer lover or simply looking for an enjoyable and unusual way to discover Chicago, a brewery tour is an excellent opportunity to learn about the city’s rich brewing heritage and try out some of its top-notch beers.
This article shares everything you should know before buying your Chicago brewery tour tickets.
Table of contents
- What to expect on the brewery tour
- Bikes, Bites, and Brews: Chicago’s Signature Dishes Bike Tour
- Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour
- BYOB Spray Paint ‘n’ Sip at Studio W.I.P. Chicago
- Private Speakeasy Pub Crawl in Chicago with Local Historian
- Tips for making the most of your brewery tour
- FAQs about brewery tours in Chicago
What to expect on the brewery tour
Brewery Tours in Chicago promises to take the participants through the city’s most celebrated breweries.
Knowledgeable guides lead these tours, and participants are introduced to the details of craft beer production, the brewing process, and the art of beer tasting.
On these tours, you can explore iconic breweries that have left an indelible mark on the city’s craft beer revolution. One of the highlights of these tours is the opportunity to meet and interact with the brewmasters.
From trendy modern taprooms to historic brewpubs, each venue adds its charm, making the experience even more memorable.
Chicago also has a rich history of brewing since the 19th century. You’ll explore the beer culture and learn about its impact on the city’s social fabric.
Bikes, Bites, and Brews: Chicago’s Signature Dishes Bike Tour
Experience the best of Chicago’s food and neighborhoods on a half-day bike tour. You’ll cover about 13 miles (21 km), following a knowledgeable guide comfortably through Wrigley Ville, Old Town, Lincoln Park, and Gold Coast.
Whether you choose the day or night tour, you’ll visit popular spots like a bakery, pizza shop, hot dog stand, and two breweries to sample local flavors.
On this tour, you’ll get to taste the city’s famous deep-dish pizza, Chicago-style hot dogs, cupcakes, and craft beer while learning about the history and culture of each area. Your guide will ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
The price includes samples at one bakery, hot dog stand, pizza shop, and breweries.
Timings and duration: The tour will commence at 5.30 pm and last around 4 hours.
Ticket Price: US$90
Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour
Experience Chicago’s exciting brewpub scene and indulge in craft beers on a guided brewery tour. You’ll explore unique breweries, enjoy craft beer samples, and a detailed tour of a brewing production facility.
You’ll also learn about the details behind the brewing process, including step-by-step procedures, and savor an array of beer samples throughout the tour. Your transportation is provided in a Prohibition-era-styled barrel bus.
On joining this guided tour of Chicago-area breweries, you can enjoy plenty of beer samples and an in-depth tour of a brewing production facility.
Timings and duration: The tour will commence at 11 am and last around 4 hours.
Ticket Price: US$100
BYOB Spray Paint ‘n’ Sip at Studio W.I.P. Chicago
Experience a unique way to express your creativity and get an in-depth education on graffiti and street art through a hands-on urban art workshop.
Choose from multiple class times and attend at the Chicago studio. Skilled instructors, including guest artists, will teach you various styles and techniques, allowing you to explore stenciling and spray painting. By the end of the class, you can create your artwork on canvas to take home.
This one-of-a-kind art class welcomes individuals of all skill levels and experience. You will also have the option to bring your beverages to sip on while practicing and painting.
Timings and duration: The tour will commence at 1 pm and last around 2 hours.
Ticket Prices
Adult Ticket (13+ years): US$40
Child Ticket (10 to12 years): US$35
Private Speakeasy Pub Crawl in Chicago with Local Historian
On this guided tour, you’ll get a chance travel back to the 1920s, when Chicago was a hub for lively speakeasies during prohibition.
A local historian dressed in period attire will guide you through secret entrances to speakeasies once frequented by notorious bank robbers and gangsters such as Al Capone.
On this tour, you’ll visit some famous places from the Chicago area that are still serving as speakeasies today.
You’ll also order prohibition-era cocktails at an additional cost and listen to captivating stories about bootlegging and racketeering in 1920s Chicago.
Convenient transport is provided with hotel pick-up and drop-off.
The participants are welcome to wear period attire to engage in the experience fully.
Timings and duration: The tour will commence at 11 am and last around 4 hours.
Ticket Price: US$2950
Tips for making the most of your brewery tour
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your brewery tours in Chicago:
Before joining the brewery tour, familiarize yourself with the breweries you’ll visit. Learn about their specialties, their brewing philosophies, and any unique features they offer.
Arriving on time lets you make the most of each brewery visit and ensures you don’t miss out on exclusive experiences.
While the purpose of a brewery tour is to sample various beers, it’s essential to drink responsibly. Pace yourself and consider opting for smaller sample sizes. Also, remember that you can always purchase your favorite beers to enjoy later.
Be open to trying different beer styles you might not have experienced before. Brewery tours offer a diverse range of beers, and this is an excellent opportunity to expand your palate and discover new favorites.
Capture the moments during the tour with photographs. Not only will you have visual memories of the breweries you visited, but it can also be helpful to recall the specific beers you enjoyed.
FAQs about brewery tours in Chicago
Here are some general frequently asked questions about Brewery Tours in Chicago.
A brewery tour in Chicago is an organized and guided excursion that takes participants to various breweries in the city. During the tour, attendees get the opportunity to learn about the brewing process, sample a variety of craft beers, and gain insights into Chicago’s rich brewing history and culture.
On a brewery tour in Chicago, you can expect to visit multiple breweries, where you’ll meet brew masters, learn about the ingredients and brewing techniques used, and taste a diverse selection of craft beers. The tour also includes behind-the-scenes glimpses into the brewing process and opportunities to ask questions to enhance your understanding of craft beer.
Brewery tours are generally suitable for adults of legal drinking age who are interested in craft beer and the brewing process. While some tours may allow participants under 21 to join without drinking, checking with the tour operator beforehand for any age restrictions is essential.
The duration of brewery tours in Chicago can vary depending on the tour package and the number of breweries visited. Generally, tours can last anywhere from two to four hours; some may even span an entire day for more extensive experiences.
Brewery tours cater to a wide range of participants, from beginners to seasoned beer enthusiasts. The guides and brew masters are usually eager to share their knowledge and make the experience enjoyable.
Many brewery tours in Chicago offer the opportunity to purchase beers directly from the breweries visited. This allows participants to take home their favorite brews and support local breweries.
Most brewery tours strive to be inclusive and accessible to all. However, checking with the tour operator in advance is advisable to ensure that the locations visited are wheelchair-friendly.
The provision of transportation during brewery tours in Chicago can vary. Some tours include transportation between breweries, while others require participants to arrange transportation. It’s essential to review the tour details to know what is included.
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