Public & Private Tours Available
- Tours include a ride to and from the breweries in a 13 passenger van with a knowledgeable tour guide. Have a bigger group? Contact us for the possibilities of using two vans, seating up to 27 people. Bigger yet? We can rent a bus from another company.
- Beers included! All public tours include 3-4 large samples of beer at each brewery stop. Around $30 worth of beer samples!
- 3 or 4 brewery visits on every public tour.
- Meet the brewers and see how the beer is made. Every public tour takes you behind the scenes at one of the designated brewery stops and shows you the process of beer making. *Currently no brewery tours are being offered.
- Discounts on merchandise from most breweries.
- Most tours last between 4 to 6 hours. To see specific times and dates please visit Book A Tour .
- We also have Walking Tours! They are available from May-Oct. Details are near the bottom of this page. *We are not offering public tours in 2020.
Public Tours
Tour 1: Grand Rapids East Side
includes a trip to Brewery Vivant, Elk Brewing and Harmony Brewing Company
$60 - 4 hours- 12 beer samples
Tour 2: The Beer City Experience
includes a trip to Founders Brewing Company, Harmony Hall and Atwater Brewery
$60 - 4 hours - 12 beer samples
Tour 3: Grand Rapids West Side
includes a trip to The Mitten Brewing Company, City Built Brewing Company and Arvon Brewing Co.
$60 - 4 hours - 12 beer samples
Tour 4: Northern Lakeshore
includes a trip to Odd Side Ales, Grand Armory Brewing Company, Unruly Brewing Company and Pigeon Hill Brewing Company
$80 - 6 hours - 12 beer samples
Tour 5: The Great North
includes a trip to Perrin Brewing Company, Cedar Springs Brewing Company, Rockford Brewing Company and Cellar Brewing Company
$80 - 6 hours- 12 beer samples
Our public tours are a great way to explore Grand Rapids and the surrounding breweries. Whether you are a couple on vacation, a group of friends visiting Grand Rapids, or a long time Grand Rapidian with a craving for great craft beer. We have up to 14 seats available, reserve a seat now to guarantee yourself a spot.
Our public tour packages include 12 samples of beer (around 48 oz), with a food break at one of the breweries (food not included in tour price). Bottled water & pretzels will be provided on the van between breweries. Want to bring home your favorite craft beers? No problem, we have a cooler full of ice to keep your beers cold. Pick up is at 250 Grandville Ave SW in front of the central bus station (across the street from Founders Brewing Co.).
We also have tours labeled Specialty Tours. These tours veer off the regular tour route and visit different breweries that we hand pick.
Private/Custom Tours
Don't see your dream beer tour? Tell us what you want.
Private tours can go to any breweries you choose. They are available 7 days a week and can be booked at any time. Private Tours are great for corporate/convention visitors, work parties, birthday parties, bachelor/bachelorette parties, fundraisers and charities, or maybe you just want to get some friends together and taste a variety of craft beers and don't want to be responsible for driving.
*To find out more/book Private Tours please call us at 616-901-9719 or e-mail us at grbeertours@gmail.com*
Pick Up & Drop off for Private Tours
For private tours you can be picked up anywhere in Michigan. If you are being picked up outside of Grand Rapids a fee will apply in accordance to your pick up/drop off spot.
Want to visit a Hop Yard or Malt House?
We can arrange a visit to a Hop Yard (best time to visit July-August) or a Malt House.
Walking Tour Info
The Downtown Walking Tour will have you exploring the craft beer scene of downtown Grand Rapids.
Downtown Walking Tour includes:
- A visit to Founders Brewing Company, Grand Rapids Brewing Company and B.O.B.’s Brewery
- Three samples of beer at every stop!
- A private brewery tour at B.O.B.'s Brewery with a chance to talk with the brewer and learn about the process of beer making
- Knowledgeable tour guide providing beer history of Grand Rapids old and new
*Walking tours operate from May till October.
*Walking Tours last about 3 hours and is just over a 1 mile walk.
Downtown Walking Tours meet in front of Founders Brewing Company (235 Grandville Ave. SW)
Please arrive a few minutes before the tour starts.
*Private Walking Tours are also available.
Other Tour Info
**You must be 21 or older for public tours** If you are unable to provide us with a valid state I.D. and look under 40 you will be turned away with no refund. If you are under 21 we can make exceptions if you are on a private tour.
Pick Up & Drop Off for public tours is in front of the central bus station, located at 250 Grandville Ave SW (across the street from Founders Brewing Company). Pick up is at the designated time the tour starts. Please arrive 10 minutes early to give yourself enough time, we don't want to keep our thirsty customers waiting. P.S. if you have access to the bus station this can be a great way to get to the pick-up and drop-off destination.
We offer free pick up and drop off service to our customers for public tours if you are staying in central downtown. If you have any questions regarding pick up boundaries please contact us. If you plan to be picked up let us know in advance by contacting us.
Parking: We suggest parking in Founder's parking lot located behind the brewery and just south. The first 4 hours are free with the purchase of beer or food, just give your ticket to a bartender to have it validated. You can also park at street meters for free on Saturdays and Sundays.
We strongly encourage you have a designated ride after the tour is over, whether it be a friend or a taxi (we provide phone calls to local taxi services if & when needed).
Every public tour includes a lunch break at one of the designated brewery stops, except Walking Tours. Food is not included in the tour price.
If we have reason to believe that you are intoxicated prior to a tour, we reserve the right to turn you away. If you are turned away due to intoxication or unsavory rowdy behavior no refund will be provided. The purpose of our tours is not to get overly intoxicated, but to experience the fine tastings of craft beers. Save the drinking for the tour, there will be plenty of delicious craft beers to enjoy, but no drinking on the van and limited amounts before hand.
Public tours are posted around 6 weeks before the tour date. Typically we have at least one public tour every Saturday of the year.
More tour info can be found at FAQ's