Charging for a brewery tour?

It seems that most people base how "good" a tour is on how much beer you get before, during, or after.

That, and the cost of employing a tour guide, or a tour guide team is why I expect every tour to have a price tag.

 

Never paid for a tour but if they are providing shwag and beer, I understand.

With that said, 8 out of 10 times I would probably stick with a visit to the taproom. Some exceptions, though, for larger breweries. New Belgium's tour has been my favorite so far.

 

I'd say the opposite. They're smart to take the chance to create customers; it's basically free marketing.

 

I meant the expensive of some 1 labors to lead the tour.

 

Based on my experience I would be relatively surprised if a brewery didn't charge for a tour. They are dedicating resources to performing an additional service while that person (or people) giving the tour could be doing something else.

I generally only sign-up for a tour if there is something offered by way of tasting or brewery swag. I have been on "tours" that cost money where you essentially just stand around looking at the tanks while someone talks to you about how to make beer...not thrilled about this kind of tour.

 

I don't understand how anyone can complain about a brewery charging for a tour. They have to hire and train a tour guide and usually give samples and swag at the end. How on earth do you think a craft brewery can do this for free everyday for dozens of tour groups?

I have done Stone who charges $3 for the tour which includes a taster glass which you get to keep an 4 3 oz pours of some of their beers. I thought it was a great deal.

 

I think the dividing line is whether it includes tastings. If it's just for the tour, then maybe $7 is a bit steep (although they do need to have someone escort people through the building). But, if they charged nothing for the tour, but did hit you up for $7 if you wanted tastings, would you object to that? I don't think most people would. The only advantage I can see to dividing the two is so families can do the tour without having to pay what is essentially a tasting fee for kids who are too young to drink, spouses who don't like beer, or designated drivers.

 

Guiness is 20 Euros, and they don't even brew the beer there anymore

 

Half-Acre in Chicago charges $10/head for the tour these days, and I see no issue with that. They provide you with a pint glass with their emblem (Owlctopus) and give you 3 full pint servings of your choice from what they have on draft on the day of the tour. The tour also lasts 2 hours, and is both entertaining and insightful. To me it seems more like a bargain.

I would think of it differently if they charged you $10, gave you the basic run-down of the place and didn't provide you with anything.

 

Funky Buddha: $5.00 includes a branded pint glass and samples along the way. Think I'll check it this weekend.

https://funkybuddhabrewery.com/brewery/tour-our-facility

 

I have never paid and never will. If merchandise is involved, that's better. However, one can always buy merchandise if they wish. I've got way too may beer glasses going back decades. I give them away these days. I've always marveled at the success of some businesses to have their customers pay for pieces of their advertising.

 

I guess that there are hordes of beer tourists now as opposed to years ago.

 

Come to GA, breweries can't legally sell beer on premises, so you pay a fee for a "tour", which usually includes up to 36 oz of samples on site, maybe some glassware, and/or the right to take up to 72 oz of packaged beer home.

 

The father of the owner, who, of course, is also invested in CCB, owns strip clubs very close to the brewery, off the main drag. Cigar City Brewing is a pretty huge complex though.

 

I've paid every time I go to sam adams but they donate the money to charity and you get to enjoy a good amount of beer and keep the real glass sample cup you drink from. Don't remember but I think harpoon used to charge as well but again you keep the glass and at the time had about 45 minutes of free samples.

 

Stone is $3 and they give you tasters at the end.

 

Our tours are not a lot different. $10 for admission, glass, and three 12oz pours. We do not operate bar/taproom outside of that for regular consumption. Do it twice a month, sell out each time, keep the lights on and beer brewing.

 

I don't mind paying a fee but I think the brewery actually gets more money from me when the tour is free. I can't help but feel obligated to spend some coin in the gift shop and buy extra beer when I get something for free. Most of the tours I've been on in New England have in fact been free to my memory. And the new Smuttynose brewery in particular deserves a shout out for having an extremely generous sampling session even though the tour is free (beautiful building too).

Paid or free though, it really is true that nothing helps brand loyalty/evangelizing like a good tour with friendly staff and a tasting.