The Montreal Craft Beer Tour / Brewpub Experience

REVIEW · MONTREAL

The Montreal Craft Beer Tour / Brewpub Experience

  • 4.546 reviews
  • 3 hours (approx.)
  • From $88.57
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Operated by Montreal Craft Beer Tours · Bookable on Viator

Eight beers, and a city walk. This guided Montreal craft beer outing mixes Latin Quarter stories with real local stops, with views that reach Place des Arts and BAnQ Grande Bibliothèque.

I especially like the structure: 8 beer tastings across four brewpubs, so you’re not stuck with a single venue’s style. I also like the food pairings, including the poutine at Le Saint-Bock, and the way guides like Shane, Francoise, and Gabriel turn the walking and sipping into something you actually remember.

One thing to plan for: you’re on a steady schedule with walking between bars, so if you want long sit-down hangs, this may feel a bit paced.

Key highlights to know before you go

The Montreal Craft Beer Tour / Brewpub Experience - Key highlights to know before you go

  • Quartier Latin history angle that sets the scene before your first pour
  • Four brewpub stops with a total of 8 beer tastings
  • Food pairings included, including poutine and chocolate pairing
  • Small group limit (max 18) that usually means more chat time with the guide
  • English-guided tour with a mobile ticket you can keep on your phone

Latin Quarter history walk before your first pour

The Montreal Craft Beer Tour / Brewpub Experience - Latin Quarter history walk before your first pour
You start in the Latin Quarter, with your guide setting the context around Quartier Latin and its history. This part matters, because it turns the trip from a simple bar hop into a “why this neighborhood feels like this” moment.

As you move, you’ll also catch major city landmarks such as Place des Arts and BAnQ Grande Bibliothèque. Those stops aren’t just pretty backdrops. They help you connect the beer scene to the broader feel of Montreal—arts, culture, and student-era energy all sitting in the same area.

The tour runs about 3 hours, and that time has a clear goal: give you enough tastings to compare styles, then give you just enough city context to make it feel meaningful.

You can also read our reviews of more food & drink experiences in Montreal

Le Saint-Bock: poutine + two craft beers to start strong

The Montreal Craft Beer Tour / Brewpub Experience - Le Saint-Bock: poutine + two craft beers to start strong
Your first stop is Le Saint-Bock – Brasserie Artisanale / Bazaar Microbrasserie at 1749 R. Saint-Denis. You’ll spend about 35 minutes here, which is a good length for settling in without rushing.

You’ll get two craft beer tastings plus a poutine. For many people, that’s the smart combo: salty, hot comfort food first, then beer to balance it. If you’re the kind of traveler who needs a snack before you drink, this opening stop is built for you.

The downside? Poutine is very personal. If you don’t like classic toppings or you’re picky about texture, you might wish the pairing was customizable. Still, getting food in your first stop helps the rest of the tasting feel comfortable.

L’amère à boire: two more pours and a side of snacks

Next you’ll head to Brasserie artisanale L’amère à boire for about 40 minutes. Here, you taste two more craft beers, with snacks on the side.

This stop is the tour’s “keep it moving” chapter. Forty minutes is enough time to slow down, ask questions, and compare what you liked (or didn’t) in the previous beer selection. You can also pay attention to how each place serves—some bars focus on bright, easy-drinking styles, while others lean into more complex flavors.

A practical point: snacks help you pace your drinking. If you’re not a heavy beer person, plan on nibbling through the snack portion so the later pairings feel less intense.

Bar Pamplemousse: a shorter 20-minute stop that keeps variety high

The Montreal Craft Beer Tour / Brewpub Experience - Bar Pamplemousse: a shorter 20-minute stop that keeps variety high
Bar Pamplemousse is the quick stop—around 20 minutes—and you taste two local craft beers here. That shorter timing is intentional. It prevents the tour from turning into one long single-style tasting.

This is the place where you can reset your palate. If the first two stops skew darker or heavier, Pamplemousse is often where you can find something lighter or more fruit-forward—at least in the general “local craft variety” spirit the tour aims for.

The consideration: with only twenty minutes, you’ll get less time to chat and linger. If you like deep conversations with the staff, you’ll probably want to save your longest questions for the longer stops.

BENELUX @Sherbrooke: finish with two favorites and chocolate pairing

The Montreal Craft Beer Tour / Brewpub Experience - BENELUX @Sherbrooke: finish with two favorites and chocolate pairing
The final stop is BENELUX – Brasserie Artisanale @Sherbrooke at 245 Rue Sherbrooke O, lasting about 35 minutes. You’ll taste two local favorites, and there’s also chocolate pairing.

This ending pairing can be a turning point. Chocolate works as a bridge between beer styles because it brings sweetness and roasted notes. Even if you weren’t sure what you’d like, the chocolate pairing often helps you understand why certain beer flavors click with dessert-like ingredients.

After the tasting, the tour ends at a craft beer bar on Sherbrooke Street. From there, it’s about 5–10 minutes to walk back to your starting area, and the closest metro is around 5 minutes away. If you want to keep exploring downtown, you’re also in a decent position to walk to nearby areas in less than 10 minutes.

Guide style and small-group vibe (max 18)

The Montreal Craft Beer Tour / Brewpub Experience - Guide style and small-group vibe (max 18)
The tour’s biggest differentiator is the guide’s commentary. You’re not just collecting samples—you’re getting context for what you’re tasting and where the beer culture fits into Montreal’s neighborhood identity.

I also like that the group size maxes out at 18 travelers. Smaller groups tend to move faster with less waiting, and you’re more likely to get personal follow-ups instead of hearing the same answers from someone across the room.

From guide names shared in feedback—Shane, Francoise, and Gabriel—you can get a sense of what matters most: the best moments come when the guide links beer to local flavor and neighborhood history, not just facts dumped over the noise of a busy brewpub.

One practical inclusion that can help: there’s mention that a guide offered a cider beer option for gluten allergies. If that’s your situation, ask when you book or ask right at the start so you don’t get surprised by ingredients.

Price and value: what the $88.57 gets you

The Montreal Craft Beer Tour / Brewpub Experience - Price and value: what the $88.57 gets you
At $88.57 per person, this tour isn’t a cheap “one pub” activity. The value comes from what’s included:

  • 8 beer tastings (so you can compare without overcommitting to full pours)
  • Food tasting, including poutine and snacks
  • Chocolate pairing at the last stop
  • Bartender gratuities included
  • A local guide leading the whole walk-and-taste flow

What’s not included is additional food and/or drinks, plus guide gratuities (optional). In other words, you’re paying for a structured afternoon where you won’t be constantly calculating drink costs at each venue.

Is it worth it if you’re not a die-hard beer person? It can be. One reason: you’re guided through variety, so you’re less likely to end up with six tastings of the same flavor profile. If you’re more adventurous, you’ll enjoy the comparison. If you’re careful with alcohol, the tasting format keeps it manageable.

If you’re worried about whether the beers are truly local, note this: the tour’s framing is Montreal craft, and the company’s response emphasizes the beer is made on location by reputable Montreal breweries. If beer quality is a top priority for you, it’s still smart to confirm what styles you’ll likely encounter when you book.

Timing, walking, and how to make the day feel easy

The Montreal Craft Beer Tour / Brewpub Experience - Timing, walking, and how to make the day feel easy
This is a 3-hour experience, offered in English, with a mobile ticket. It’s also scheduled often enough that the average booking happens around 23 days in advance, which usually means popular dates can fill up.

Logistics are pretty friendly for an urban walking tour:

  • You start at Le Saint-Bock on Saint-Denis.
  • You finish on Sherbrooke O, with a short walk back to the first area.
  • The metro is close enough that you can exit quickly after the last pour.

Still, keep expectations realistic: this is not a “sit all afternoon” plan. You’ll be moving between locations, and the schedule includes stop times that vary from 20 minutes to 40 minutes. If you’re sensitive to pacing, wear comfortable shoes and plan to eat the included snacks.

Also, if you’re sensitive to strong flavors, remember alcohol tastings add up fast. Take a slow sip, taste in small rounds, and use the food to reset your palate.

Who should book (and who might want a different plan)

This tour fits best if you want:

  • A guided way to discover Montreal’s craft beer scene in a single afternoon
  • A tasting format with 8 samples plus actual snacks (not just small bites)
  • A neighborhood walk through the Quartier Latin feel, with landmarks like Place des Arts and BAnQ Grande Bibliothèque
  • A small-group experience (max 18) where the guide can explain things as you go

You might skip it if:

  • You hate walking between bars and would rather choose one venue and linger
  • Beer quality and very specific local sourcing are deal-breakers for you
  • You want a full meal experience (the included snacks help, but the tour doesn’t promise a big sit-down dinner)
  • You’re expecting every beer to match your personal style perfectly (tastings mean some hits and misses)

Should you book the Montreal Craft Beer Tour?

I’d book it if you’re visiting Montreal and want a structured way to taste local craft beer while also learning what makes the Latin Quarter matter. The included 8 tastings, poutine, and the ending chocolate pairing give you a full arc—start, compare, finish—with enough food to keep the pace comfortable.

I’d also book early, since it’s commonly reserved about a month in advance. If you’re food-sensitive or have allergy concerns, message ahead—especially if gluten is an issue—so you can confirm options like cider or alternatives.

If your goal is maximum control (choosing exactly what you drink at your own pace), you may prefer picking one or two brewpubs and building your own route. But if you want an easy, guided afternoon that keeps things moving without turning chaotic, this one is a strong fit.

FAQ

How long is the Montreal Craft Beer Tour?

The tour lasts about 3 hours.

How many beer tastings and snacks are included?

You get 8 beer tastings and a food tasting, including poutine and snack pairings, plus a chocolate pairing at the last stop.

What are the start and end locations?

It starts at Le Saint-Bock – Brasserie Artisanale / Bazaar Microbrasserie, 1749 R. Saint-Denis, Montréal and ends at BENELUX – Brasserie Artisanale @Sherbrooke, 245 Rue Sherbrooke O, Montréal.

Is the tour offered in English, and do I get a ticket on my phone?

Yes, it’s offered in English, and you’ll receive a mobile ticket.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 18 travelers.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience’s start time.

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