Craft beers are enormously popular in New York City, home to several breweries, some even offer free tours!
You can also take one of the many fun, informative brewery and craft beer tours out there.
Below we list some of the best brewery tours in NYC!
TIP: Some New York City discount tourist passes include brewery tours and pub crawls. Take a look to see if one of these passes is right for you.
Free Tour At Brooklyn Brewery
Brooklyn Brewery (see video above) has been in operation since 1988. Today their beers are sold in 31 states (plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico) and in 32 different countries!
The brewery offers both year-round varieties as well as seasonal specials.
They have two tour options: a free hourly tour on Sundays (no tastings) or a paid weeknight Small Batch Tour to go in-depth with their experts (tastings included).
The Brooklyn Brewery is located in Williamsburg at 79 N. 11th Street (map).
Free Brewery Tour
Fre tours are every Sunday at 1 pm, 2 pm, 3 pm, 4 pm, 5 pm, and 6 pm.
The free tour is shorter than their weeknight paid tours, but long enough to take a look inside their brewhouse and learn about brewing and the company's history.
Note that the free tour does not include a beer tasting.
Tours are no more than 20 people. Tours are first come-first served.
For the 1 pm tour, plan on getting there around noon.
A maximum of two tickets will be given out per person, so don’t plan on picking up tickets for a big group of friends!
Small Batch Tour
This paid (but very affordable) 45-minute tour includes a guided tasting of three beers from a rotating selection of limited-release, experimental beers.
You will also learn more about beer and the brewing process as you tour the brewhouse and packaging hall.
You also get to keep your Brooklyn Brewery-branded glass!
- When:
- Monday to Thursday at 4:15 pm and 6 pm
- Fridays at 3 pm, 4 pm, and 6 pm
- Cost: $26 per person
- Book here.
Good to know:
- Guests must be over 21 or accompanied by a parent or legal guardian
- Guests over the age of 10 require a ticket for entry. Instead of beer, guests that are underage (and accompanied by a parent or legal guardian) will be served a non-alcoholic craft soda.
- Please do not wear open-toe or high-heeled footwear This is a working brewery; hot or potentially harmful liquid may flow on the floor.
Why not pair your visit to the Brooklyn Brewery with our pay-what-you-wish Williamsburg Street Art Tour?
Underground Brooklyn Brew Tour
This 3 ½ hour tour takes you to three top breweries in some of the city’s hippest neighborhoods.
Your expert beer guide will talk about the beer-making process and the New York City craft beer industry.
This tour is limited to 16 people giving you more opportunity to ask questions as well as talk to other people on the tour for an all-around fun time!
- When:
- Thursdays and Fridays at 3:45 pm
- Saturdays at 12:00 pm and 5:15 pm
- Sundays at 12:00 pm
- Cost: $79 per person. This includes the following:
- Up to 12 craft beer samples
- VIP access to some of Brooklyn's best breweries
- A beer-themed snack
- MetroCard for the subway
- Book here.
Brewing in Queens Walking Tour
Your expert beer guide on this all-inclusive 3-hour craft beer walking tour will take you to some of the best breweries in New York City.
You’ll taste 12 different local beers while you discover the revitalized borough of Queens.
- When: Saturdays at 11:45 am and 5:00 pm; Sundays at 11:45 pm
- Cost: $70 per person. This includes all tastings and a snack.
- Book here.
Beer Tasting Bike Tour of Queens and Brooklyn
This 6 hour, 20+ mile bike tour will have you cycling to some of the best craft breweries in Brooklyn and Queens.
In between your brewery stops, you’ll be biking and also learning about New York City history.
The tour includes stops at Brooklyn Brewery, Transmitter, 5th Hammer, Braven Brewery, KCBC, Bridge and Tunnel and Other Half.
At a lunch stop at Braven Brewery, you’ll enjoy a menu created especially for you by chef Tori Valdes.
You’ll be provided with new lightweight hybrid bike from Specialized and Cannondale and a helmet, a bottle of water, and a string backpack for any purchases you make along the way.
- When: Sundays from April through October.
- Cost: $70 per person includes beer samples, lunch, a bottle of water and use of a bike and helmet.
- Book here.
Greenwich Village Pizza, Beer, and History Tour
Your guide on this 2 ½ hour beer and pizza tour takes you to some of the beer joints and pizza shops in Greenwich Village.
You’ll dine, drink and learn some history along the way. The tour is capped at 8 people which means you’ll get to know everyone in your group and have a memorable time.
- When: Fridays and Saturdays at 3:00 pm.
- Cost: $69 includes three pizza samplings and two beer tastings.
- Book here.
