
Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 363 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour worth booking?
Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour is a 3.8-hour experience in Chicago, United States, from $100 per person. It scores 83 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 363 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 83 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (363)
- Duration
- 3.8 hours
- From
- $100 per person
There’s never been a better time to be a beer drinker — and Chicago, with its thriving brewery scene and many destination-worthy beer bars, is the perfect city for suds lovers. Visit three of its craft breweries on this all-inclusive, 3.5-4hour tour, where you’ll get to tour one brewery production facility and enjoy copious samples of local brews. To keep things interesting, you’ll travel in a barrel-shaped bus. Morning and evening departure times are both available.
What you get
About this experience
There’s never been a better time to be a beer drinker — and Chicago, with its thriving brewery scene and many destination-worthy beer bars, is the perfect city for suds lovers. Visit three of its craft breweries on this all-inclusive, 3.5-4hour tour, where you’ll get to tour one brewery production facility and enjoy copious samples of local brews. To keep things interesting, you’ll travel in a barrel-shaped bus. Morning and evening departure times are both available.
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 363 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
363 verified traveler reviews for Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Very fun, unique experience, especially if you’re a beer lover!
Very relaxed experience at 3 different breweries, including a tour at Revolution. The host was helpful, provided some history, etc, complimenting the tour nicely.
Response from the operator: Thank you Glen for your kind review. The Barrel Run specializes in showing their guests an unforgettable time, adding in Chicago Gangster / Prohibition stories to the tour.
via Viator
Solid Brewery
Checked this place out and it ended up being a damn good find. The beer was cold with plenty of solid choices, the staff knew what they were doing, and the service stayed on point. The place has a laid-back atmosphere where you can grab a drink and hang out without all the extra nonsense. Good beer, cool people, and a solid vibe. Definitely a brewery I'd hit again.
Response from the operator: Hello L1340EAnatalieb....I'm not sure if you're talking about The Barrel Run, but if not, please check us out too!
via Tripadvisor
Birthday Celebration
The hosts were great and informative. All the people on the tour had a great time amd were fun We enjoyed the atmosphere, and the three breweries we went to
Response from the operator: Thank you Julie. We are happy you and your group had a great time with us. The Barrel Run is a wonderful way to celebrate a birthday! We hope to see you all again.
via Viator
A fun afternoon.. do it, its worth it!
The bus is new and clean and very comfortable, and the tour guide Ted is a super guy! Very easy going. Had a great time.
Response from the operator: Thank you Elisabeth. The seats on our buses are very comfortable so our guests can relax and enjoy their time in between visiting great Chicago breweries. We hope to see you again on The Barrel Run.
via Viator
So much fun!
A must-do for when you’re in the Windy City!
Response from the operator: Thank you Nicole. We have had people from all over the globe coming to Chicago - with The Barrel Run being their main reason! We hope to see you again.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3.8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Booked in 30 days
- 127
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 83
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Chicago.
How much does Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour cost?
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Prices start at $100 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Chicago usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour take?
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Plan for about 3.8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Chicago is not rushed.
Is Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 83 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 363 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Chicago, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3.8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour?
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Around 127 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Chicago can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Chicago and add a light layer if any part of the 3.8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Chicago within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Chicago?
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Chicago's signature experience is still the architecture boat cruise, and the difference between the docent-led originals and the party-boat imitators is the single biggest quality gap in the city. Beyond the river: gangster history walks, Art Institute access, deep-dish and hot-dog crawls, and skydeck timed entry. Outty Ranking leans on guide credentials and how consistently the promised route runs. On Outty we rank every Chicago experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Original Chicago Architecture Interiors Tour: Dazzling Interiors, Chicago Favorites Ultimate Food and Walking Tour, Chicago Murder Mystery Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Chicago?
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May to October. Winter cruises stop running when the river ices. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Chicago?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What happens to Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Chicago. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour?
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Across 363 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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