Montreal Old Port: Craft Brewery and Beer Tasting Tour

Montreal’s Old Port beer scene comes in three stops, nine small pours, and enough local food to keep the afternoon moving. You begin at BreWskey Taproom, walk through Old Montreal with a bilingual guide, visit 3 Brasseurs St-Paul, then finish at Les Soeurs Grises.

I like the smart route and the food pairings. The stops are close enough for an easy walk, and the tasting format lets you try cloudy beers, saisons, and other styles without committing to a full glass. I also like that guides such as Antoine bring both beer know-how and Montreal stories to the walk.

The main consideration is pace. Nine samples over three hours is moderate, but this is still an alcohol-focused outing with three stops. It is for adults who enjoy beer, not for anyone looking for a quick sightseeing walk or a full brewery production tour.

Key points to know before booking

• Three Old Port breweries: Visit BreWskey, 3 Brasseurs St-Paul, and Bistro Brasserie Les Soeurs Grises.
• Nine beer samples: Each location provides three tastings, giving you a useful range of local styles.
• Food at every stop: Expect homemade party mix, a fresh pretzel, and local cheeses.
• Antoine is a frequent guide: His beer knowledge, humor, and bilingual delivery receive repeated praise.
• About 10 minutes between stops: The walking helps turn the tasting into a small Old Montreal tour.
• Good value at $50: The price covers the guide, nine samples, three snacks, brewery visits, and taxes.

Starting at BreWskey Taproom in the Old Port

You meet inside BreWskey Taproom, where the tour begins with beer rather than a long introduction. Ask the brewery staff where to find your guide if you do not see the group right away.

The first round includes three craft beer samples and homemade party mix. This is a useful opening because you can settle into the tasting before setting off through the Old Port. The party mix gives you something salty to nibble on, and the small pours let you compare styles without filling your glass before the walk begins.

Antoine is the guide most often associated with this experience. He has been praised for explaining beer styles and brewing in a way that feels lively rather than academic. He also brings in Montreal stories, which gives the walk more purpose than simply moving from bar to bar.

The tour is bilingual in English and French. If you are comfortable in either language, that makes the experience easy to follow. A bilingual tour can take a little longer when information is given in both languages, but the format suits Montreal and adds a local touch.

Walking through Old Montreal between tastings

The walking sections connect the beer stops and provide the city context promised by the tour. The route stays in the Old Port area, and past groups have described the distance between locations as roughly 10 minutes on foot.

That short walk matters. It gives you time to clear your palate, chat with the group, and hear about Montreal’s beer past and surroundings. You are not simply sitting in one brewpub for three hours. The city becomes part of the experience.

Wear comfortable shoes. The tour operates rain or shine, so bring clothing suited to the forecast. On a wet or cold day, the outdoor portions may feel less pleasant, but the route remains practical because the stops are close together.

The walking is also a small safeguard against the relaxed temptation to order more beer at each place. Your nine included samples are the focus, and the guide keeps the group moving toward the next brewery.

The three beers at 3 Brasseurs St-Paul

The second stop is 3 Brasseurs St-Paul, described as a particularly attractive microbrewery on the route. Here you get three beer samples and a fresh pretzel.

This stop adds a useful change of setting. BreWskey opens the afternoon with a taproom feel, while 3 Brasseurs gives you a chance to hear more about how beer is made. The brewing process becomes part of the discussion, so you can pay attention to ingredients, styles, and production rather than treating the drinks as anonymous samples.

The pretzel is a sensible match for the middle of a beer tour. By this point, the food is more than decoration. It gives you something substantial to eat while keeping the tasting casual.

Beer selection can vary, and you may encounter styles you do not usually order. One account of the tour singled out cloudy beers as a current local preference and found the saison surprisingly enjoyable despite not usually choosing that style. That is a good reason to approach the tasting with some flexibility. You do not need to love every sample for the range to be worthwhile.

The point is comparison. Three small beers here, alongside the first three at BreWskey, let you notice differences in color, texture, bitterness, sweetness, and yeast character. You do not need specialist vocabulary. A good guide can help you put those impressions into plain words.

Finishing at Les Soeurs Grises

The last stop is Bistro Brasserie Les Soeurs Grises, where three specialty beers complete the nine-sample lineup. The final food pairing is local cheese, a natural partner for a range of beer styles.

This is a comfortable way to end the route. By the third stop, you have tasted enough to know what you like, and the cheese gives you a chance to slow down and compare the final pours with the earlier beers.

The tour also includes exclusive access to a brewing facility. The available details do not promise a full technical production tour, so you should not book this expecting a long behind-the-scenes study of every tank and process. Think of the access as an added look at the making of beer, paired with the guide’s explanation.

The stop can also become a social finish. One group stayed on at the final place after the official end, which suggests that the setting works well for a relaxed drink or conversation. Any additional orders after the included tastings are your own expense.

What Antoine adds to the experience

The guide is a major part of this tour’s appeal. Antoine is repeatedly described as friendly, funny, passionate, and well informed about beer styles, brewing, and Montreal history.

That combination matters. A beer tour can easily turn into a list of pours with little connection between them. Antoine’s role is to explain what you are tasting, connect the breweries to the city, and keep the group involved as you walk.

He also leads the tour in English and French. His ability to explain the same subject in both languages is useful for mixed-language groups and fits the setting better than a one-language script.

You should still keep expectations realistic. A guide cannot control every beer on tap, the noise level in each brewery, or the exact makeup of the group. The experience works best when you are willing to ask questions, try unfamiliar styles, and share the afternoon with other beer drinkers.

Is $50 a fair price?

At $50 per person, the tour offers a solid bundle: three hours with a guide, three brewery visits, nine beer samples, three snacks, brewing facility access, and local taxes.

The value is strongest if you would otherwise pay for several tastings and need help choosing where to go in Old Montreal. The guide adds more than transport between bars. You are paying for explanations, the planned sequence, food pairings, and access to places you might not select on your own.

The price is less compelling if you only want one beer or already know the Old Port breweries well. You may spend less by ordering a single drink at one brewpub. That approach will not provide the same range or the guided city context, but it may suit a casual drinker better.

For a three-hour activity, the cost is reasonable. Nine samples and three snacks make the arithmetic work, especially because the route combines tasting with sightseeing. You are getting a structured afternoon rather than a series of separate bar visits.

Who should book this beer tour?

This experience suits adults who enjoy trying several beer styles in one sitting. It is also a good choice if you want an easy introduction to Montreal craft brewing without planning a route yourself.

I would recommend it to:

• First-time visitors staying near Old Montreal
• Beer drinkers who want local styles and specialty pours
• Couples and friends seeking a social afternoon
• Bachelor or celebration groups looking for a guided activity
• English or French speakers who want a bilingual tour
• Anyone interested in beer history as well as tasting

It is not suitable for children under 18 or pregnant women. It may also be a poor fit if you dislike walking, do not drink alcohol, or prefer a quiet meal at one location.

The tour is not built around a large meal. The party mix, pretzel, and cheeses help, but you should not treat the snacks as lunch or dinner. Plan another meal if you need something more filling.

Practical details that affect your afternoon

The meeting point is inside BreWskey Taproom. Staff can direct you to the guide, so arriving at the correct brewery is the key first step.

Bring a government-issued ID card, or a copy, and wear comfortable shoes. Weather-appropriate clothing is important because the tour continues in rain or shine.

The tour lasts three hours, with start times based on availability. Since the activity includes alcohol, a three-hour afternoon slot is easier to manage than trying to squeeze it between several timed attractions.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Montreal plans are still shifting.

The overall rating is 4.8 from 87 reviews, and the praise is unusually consistent about the guide. The most repeated strength is not one particular beer or brewery. It is Antoine’s ability to make the tastings informative, friendly, and fun.

How to get the most from the tasting

Arrive ready to try styles outside your usual order. The tour may include beers with a cloudy appearance or a saison, and part of the value is learning what works for your palate.

Use the small samples as comparisons. Notice which beers seem crisp, bitter, sweet, light, full, dry, or spicy. You do not need to take notes, but remembering one favorite from each stop can help you order more confidently later in Montreal.

Eat the included snacks as they arrive. The party mix at BreWskey, the pretzel at 3 Brasseurs St-Paul, and the cheeses at Les Soeurs Grises are there to pair with the beer and keep the tasting comfortable.

Ask questions. The guide’s beer background is one of the strongest reasons to book this rather than simply visiting the breweries on your own. If you are curious about brewing, styles, or Montreal’s beer past, this is the time to speak up.

Finally, leave room in your schedule after the tour. The official three hours may finish at Les Soeurs Grises, and you may want to stay for another drink or continue exploring the Old Port nearby. Extra drinks are not included, so budget for them separately.

Should you book the Montreal Old Port beer tour?

Book it if you want a friendly, structured introduction to Montreal beer with enough walking to keep the afternoon varied. The combination of nine samples, three snacks, three breweries, and a bilingual guide makes $50 a fair price for most beer fans.

I would skip it if you want a full meal, a serious brewery production course, or a short visit with only one drink. For everyone else, especially first-time visitors to Old Montreal, this is a practical way to taste local beer while learning where you are.

FAQ

Where does the Montreal beer tour begin?

The tour begins inside BreWskey Taproom in Montreal’s Old Port. You can ask the brewery staff where to find your guide.

How long does the tour last?

The guided experience lasts three hours. Starting times depend on availability.

How many breweries does the tour visit?

You visit three craft breweries: BreWskey, 3 Brasseurs St-Paul, and Bistro Brasserie Les Soeurs Grises.

How many beers are included?

Nine beer samplers are included, with three samples at each brewery.

What food is included?

The tour includes homemade party mix at BreWskey, a fresh pretzel at 3 Brasseurs St-Paul, and local cheeses at Les Soeurs Grises.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The live guide can conduct the tour in English or French.

Is a brewing facility visit included?

Yes. The tour includes exclusive access to a brewing facility.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and an ID card. A copy of your ID is accepted.

Does the tour operate in bad weather?

Yes. The tour operates rain or shine, so dress for the forecast.

Can I cancel the tour?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.