This is the first in a series dedicated to brewery tours around the world. While the Storylines team has sampled a few (but not all) of the breweries selected on the list, we have done extensive research on the most interesting and best-value brewery tours in each region of the world.
These are broken down into:
- Europe and the United Kingdom (this post)
- North America
- South America
- Down Under (South Africa, Australia and New Zealand)
- Asia
Before diving in, let’s take a brief look at the history of this ancient beverage and some of the most popular beers in the world of craft brewing today.
The History of Beer and Craft Beer
Ancient Roots
Craft beer is much more than just a modern trend—it's a tradition that has been refined and developed over thousands of years. Beer brewing traces its roots back to ancient civilizations. As early as 5,000 BC, Sumerians and Mesopotamians were brewing beer from barley (and the Chinese were at it even earlier with a rice-based beer starting around 7,000 BC).
The Rise of the Modern “Beer Geek”
Tired of the homogeneous and mass-produced offerings that the industrial revolution brought about, beer enthusiasts sought to revive the tradition of small-batch brewing. These pioneers were driven by a passion for quality and an appreciation for beer's myriad flavors and styles. If you travel the world, you'll see they all experiment with ingredients, brewing techniques, and beer styles, breathing new life into the world of beer.
Craft Breweries and Beers of Today
Today, small-batch artisanal brewing is a global phenomenon. Craft breweries are cherished for their emphasis on quality, flavor, and traditional brewing methods. Popular craft beers include:
- IPAs: India Pale Ale beer is often characterized by its strong hop flavor, higher alcohol content, and a balance of maltiness and citrusy notes.
- Stouts: This is the super dark beer you see, and super-rich type characterized by their robust flavor profile. It often has notes of coffee, chocolate, or roasted malt, and a creamy texture. Mmm... yummy.
- Sours: These are intentionally brewed to have a tart or sour taste, often achieved through fermentation with wild yeast strains or bacteria, and may include fruity, funky, or complex flavors.
- Saisons: Originating in Belgium, these are known for their effervescent, dry, and often citrusy or spicy character. They are brewed seasonally (hence the name) with a variety of ingredients.
As you can see, craft beer offers a diverse and exciting world of flavors for beer enthusiasts to explore around the world.
We'll start our global beer crawl with some fantastic brewery tours throughout Europe and the UK, each offering a unique experience and insight into the world of craft beer.
Our Top 8 Breweries in the UK and Europe
Guinness Storehouse - Dublin, Ireland
We're kicking off the list with arguably the most famous brewery in the world, the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Ireland. The seven-story building offers interactive exhibits, a brewing demonstration, and a rooftop bar with stunning views of the beer city of Dublin.
Never mind the Guinness you’ve had in your hometown... an expertly poured pint of Guinness from the source is something else-- almost like a meal! The famous brewery sources its barley from land just 80 miles away and roasts it on-site, making it purely (and deliciously) Irish.
The Guinness Storehouse Experience includes a self-guided tour, access to the Guinness Tasting Rooms, and a visit to the Gravity Bar with a choice of a pint of Guinness (or a soft drink). The best day tour also an option to upgrade your experience to learn the famous art of pouring a pint at the Guinness Academy.
Brewery Tour details: Book online from €26
Weihenstephan Brewery - Freising, Germany
The Germans know how to do beer, as evidenced by the world-famous Oktober Fest, so it's no surprise that they lay claim to the world's oldest brewery, founded in 1040! If you’re interested in the history of brewing beer, then you can learn about the history and traditions of German beer-making.
Notably, at the World Beer Awards, the Hefeweißbier Dunkel earned the title of the world’s best wheat beer—an impressive win! And it doesn’t stop there; other Weihenstephan brews have brought home medals, proving their mastery in crafting exceptional beers.
The charming town of Freising is worth a visit in itself. The tour includes a guided walk through the brewery, a beer tasting, and a visit to the Weihenstephaner Bräustüberl beer garden.
Brewery Tour details: Book online from €16
Fuller's Griffin Brewery - London, England
Photo by Nicholas Doherty on Unsplash
The Brits are known worldwide for their long-held love of meeting up with their mates for a pint, with England consequently boasting some of the finest historic pubs in the world. Fuller's is London's oldest operating brewery, having been producing beer in the industrial area since 1845. But it wasn’t until Chiswick Bitter arrived on the scene in 1930 that Fuller’s became a household name there. Since then, awards started flowing as freely as the beer, and it became the first brewery to win the CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain award with three separate brews.
The tour includes an overview of the brewing equipment and process, a visit to the historic brewery buildings, and a tasting of their award-winning ales. While in one of the culinary capitals of the world, be sure to have a pint at the Fuller's-owned Churchill Arms (pictured), a classic English pub decorated with an impressive array of flowers.
Brewery Tour details: Book online from £25.00
Brouwerij ‘t IJ - Amsterdam, Netherlands
This iconic brewery is located in a former bathhouse next to the historic Gooyer windmill, creating a unique setting that blends Dutch tradition with modern craft beer culture. Known for being a trailblazer in Holland's microbrewing scene, it is renowned for its organic, locally-brewed beers, such as the award-winning Zatte Tripel and IJwit. The brewery offers guided tours that take you through the brewing process while showcasing their sustainable practices, but perhaps the best part is the Windmill Taproom and beer garden.
During the tour, staff share the rich history of their brewery and dive into the essential roles of water, malt, hops, and yeast in the brewing process. English-language tours run every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 3 PM (with an additional tour at 3:30 PM if demand is high), followed by a Dutch-language tour at 4 PM.
Brewery Tour details: No reservations, just turn up at the Fukenkade for the bargain price of €2.50.
Tiny Rebel Brewery - Newport, South Wales
Photo by Jennifer Yung on Unsplash
The new brewery on the list, Tiny Rebel is a super cool micro-brewery in the heart of Newport in South Wales. It was founded in 2012 by two friends inside a garage and has since grown into the biggest still-independent brewery in Wales. In its short lifespan, it has gained widespread acclaim for its bold and innovative beers and is a favorite among craft beer fans.
Over the years, the brewery has earned numerous accolades, including Champion Beer of Wales, Champion Beer of Britain, and SIBA Brewery Business of the Year. You'll find an amazing range of modern styles and traditional influences, with a range of offerings that includes everything from hoppy IPAs to rich stouts and tangy sours (although they’re best known for their flagship Cwtch Red Ale and limited-edition brews).
On the brewery tour, you’ll discover where the UK's No.1 Tropical IPA is crafted as they guide you through the brewing process, from hops to can. You'll sample the signature Tropical IPA, get a sneak peek at what's brewing, and even try some exclusive, unreleased brews.
Brewery Tour details: Must book ahead online. Tickets are £25 per person.
Brouwerij De Halve Maan - Bruges, Belgium
If you need an excuse to visit the medieval city of Bruges in Belgium besides its epic aesthetic appeal, Brouwerij De Halve Maan is a perfect reason to add it to your travel itinerary.
Known for its rich history dating back to 1856, this family-owned brewery offers a unique blend of tradition and innovation. What makes it special is its brewery-to-bottle process, which includes a beer pipeline system (the longest beer pipeline in the world) that transports beer from the brewery to the packaging plant, just under the city’s streets. The iconic Brugse Zot and Straffe Hendrik beers are brewed here, each carrying a deep connection to the local culture and history.
Visitors can take a guided tour through the brewery, exploring its age-old brewing methods, and end the experience with a tasting session in the brewery’s own bar, which overlooks the picturesque canals of Bruges. If that’s not enough to get you running for your passport, De Halve Maan offers beer tasting with a panoramic view of the city from its rooftop, making it one of the most memorable brewery tours in Europe.
Brewery Tour details:
- Book online for the Classic tour at € 16,00 p.p.
- XL tour at € 26,00 p.p.
- Groups and private tours are also available
BrewDog HQ – Ellon, Scotland
Photo by Sebastian Herrmann on Unsplash
Nestled on a lush greenfield site in Ellon, just north of Aberdeen, the cutting-edge brewery HQ stands as one of the most technologically advanced in the world. Ellon is also home to its Overworks Brewery brand, specializing in its unique sour beers, and the DogTap taproom, where you can enjoy the freshest brews straight from the source. Notably, its punk ethos influence stretches so far that you'll find BrewDog bars around the world.
You can do a guided tour of BrewDog HQ, featuring its state-of-the-art brewhouse, BrewDog Distilling Co., the original brew kit, and its packaging lines. We highly suggest visiting on weekends, when the experience concludes with a visit to OverWorks, their dedicated sour beer facility.
Brewery Tour details: The tour includes four tastings and lasts approximately 90 minutes. Book online for £15.00
Põhjala Brewery – Tallinn, Estonia
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Photo courtesy of Põhjala Brewery
Another of the younger breweries on the list, Põhjala Brewery was founded in 2011 by four talented home brewers, who were soon contracted to brew their beers in other breweries' production facilities. Meanwhile, they built their own and enlisted Scottish head brewer Chris Pilkington, bringing his wealth of experience from years at the aforementioned BrewDog. The team opened Põhjala Brewery in 2014, and in just a decade has become one of the most respected modern brewing companies in the Baltics.
Since 2014, Põhjala has showcased its beers at festivals worldwide and collaborated with renowned breweries such as Boneyard, Norway Brewing Company and Birrificio Italiano, among others.
The tour features a 45-minute guided walk through the brewery, offering insights into the beer-making process and the brewery's history, followed by a tasting of 3–4 of their best beers, including their intense imperial stouts.
Brewery Tour details: Tickets are €15. Advance registration is required at least 24 hours before the tour, with a maximum of 20 participants per session. You can also book a table in the restaurant if you fancy food.
Have you visited any of the breweries on this list? What was your experience? Do you have a favorite we didn’t cover here? Comment below!
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