Toronto: Beer Makes History Better

About this activity

Through fire, war, depression, cholera, rebellion, and repression, beer has been there soothing the woes of Toronto's people. Join them in historic pubs and hear tales of years gone by over a craft beer on this Toronto tour that proves that beer does indeed make history better (like that was ever in doubt)!

Highlights

• Discover some fantastic seasonal and local brews, complete with recommendations from your beer geek tour guide

•  Pay a visit to two unique and beloved Toronto pubs

•  Meander through the iconic St Lawrence Market, chatting with vendors, admiring the products, and nabbing samples

•  Explore the Distillery District, one of Toronto’s most historic and regenerated neighborhoods Learn that beer really does make history better!//

Full description

Throughout its history, from the early 1800s, when Toronto was known as "York" to the modern metropolis it is today, the citizens of this city have used beer for refreshment and merrymaking. This Toronto beer tour is a historic walk through the streets of the old Toronto and an introduction to Canadian beer all rolled into one. Your Toronto tour will start and end at local icons, visiting a few others in between. With a focus on craft beer made in Toronto and its surrounding regions, this beer tour is known to be one of the best things to do in Toronto. Throughout the tour, you’ll learn about what role beer has played through the decades in helping Torontonians cope with cholera, fire, war, depression, rebellion, muddy streets, general Victorian stuffiness, and decades of losing seasons by the Maple Leafs (of course). This (now classic) beer tour in Toronto will visit a few unique and historical pubs, all with different atmospheres, patrons, servers, and, of course, beer selection. Your guide will be a verified beer geek, with a love and passion for beer that will be evident from the get go. They’ll be full of recommendations for you, and can easily help you navigate the river of local craft beers you’ll uncover along your journey. At each pub stop, a beer will be included, but you are welcome to purchase more if one’s just not enough! Additionally, because we want to prove why high school history totally wasn’t as fun as this way of learning history, we will indulge you with some historical tales of early Toronto, hoping to give visitors and locals alike a new perspective on the city. Not just wanting to stick to beer, this Toronto tour will also make a stop at the historic St Lawrence Market, where you can sniff out samples (go for the mustard!), and discover why this place has such a solid place in the hearts of Torontonians. We’ll cap off the tour in the Distillery District, an old industrial park and former whiskey factory that has been converted into a hub of art, culture, and cafes. It’s a rather photogenic part of the city, so be sure your camera isn’t out of batteries before you get here! If you’re going to tour Toronto, we’re pretty sure this is the way to do it. Beer, history, urban icons, and funky neighbourhoods – can you really get much better than that?!

Included / Excluded

  • Local English-speaking guide
  • 2 Pub stops
  • Local craft beer at each of the two pubs
  • A craft brewpub visit
  • Additional beer and food
  • Tips/gratuities for your guide

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity

Reviews

GetYourGuide
John
Sep 2026
5.0

Exceptional time. Kristi was outstanding. Food was great and interesting facts about NO made it well worthwhile. I will recommend to anyone that I know that is going to New Orleans that they book and take this tour. I would do it again.

GetYourGuide
John
Sep 2026
5.0

Exceptional time. Kristi was outstanding. Food was great and interesting facts about NO made it well worthwhile. I will recommend to anyone that I know that is going to New Orleans that they book and take this tour. I would do it again.

GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide traveler
Sep 2026
5.0

We really enjoyed our small group tour with Intrepid. Our tour guide Camella (sp) took us to interesting small bars and shops where the local Venetians meet after work & on weekends. She was very informative and friendly. The variety of food and wine was fantastic. We highly recommend this tour as a first up in Venice.