About this tour
When Charlie from our team ran this Gatineau Craft Beer Tour, we were picked up from downtown Ottawa for a 4-hour evening that rotates through three local microbreweries each week. You get 12 tastings across the lineup, a decent smash burger and homemade chips to start, and backstage access at each spot. The breweries change weekly—they call it Beer Roulette—so you're not locked into the same three venues every time. It's a solid night out for anyone keen on Canadian craft beer without the faff of driving themselves.
Highlights
- 12 tastings across three different microbreweries in one night
- Weekly brewery rotation keeps the experience fresh and unpredictable
- Smash burger and chips served at first stop, not an afterthought
- Backstage brewery tours give you the working side, not just the tap room
- Round-trip transport from Ottawa means zero drink-driving worry
- Unlimited snacks on the minibus during travel between venues
- Small-group feel with a guide who knows the local scene
What to expect
The night kicks off with a pick-up from your Ottawa or Gatineau location. You'll arrive at the first brewery and tuck into a proper smash burger with homemade chips—they've thought about pacing, so you're not jumping straight into tastings on an empty stomach. From there it's three breweries in sequence, each with backstage access where you get to see the kettles, fermentation tanks, and hear directly from the brewers about what they're making. The tastings flow naturally; this isn't rushed or pretentious, just steady progression through different styles. You'll nibble snacks on the minibus between venues, and the guide keeps things moving without feeling herded. By the end of four hours, you've covered genuine ground in Gatineau's craft beer world and haven't had to think about navigation or sobriety.
What travellers say
- Weekly brewery rotation ensures repeat visitors see new spots
- Backstage access gives the working brewery view, not just tap room
- Solid food and unlimited snacks, not an afterthought add-on
- Round-trip transport from Ottawa removes the sober-driver problem
- Guide knows the local craft beer scene and brewers personally
- Brisk 4-hour pace may feel rushed if you prefer slower exploration
- Not suitable for pregnant travellers or certain health conditions
- Gratuities not included; adds to final cost unexpectedly
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
If you're into beer beyond the big commercial stuff, this hits the mark. The weekly brewery shuffle means regulars get variety, and the backstage element is the real draw—you're not just drinking, you're seeing how it's made. The included meal and unlimited bus snacks set this apart from a typical tasting tour; you won't go hungry or thirsty for water. Round-trip transport is a massive convenience, especially from Ottawa. Works best for groups of mates aged 18+ who actually like beer.
It's not recommended for pregnant travellers or anyone with cardiovascular concerns—check with your doctor if you have health worries. The pace is brisk; if you're a slow drinker or prefer one brewery deep-dive, this mightn't suit. Four hours means early-evening start and late finish. Tips aren't included, so budget extra. Vegetarian and vegan burger options exist, but confirm ahead. Peak times (weekends) may cluster larger groups together.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.