Canberra Brewery Winery and Distillery Tour

Three drinks, one easy afternoon. This Canberra outing brings together a brewery, winery, and distillery without asking you to choose just one style of drink. I like the included minibus, which lets everyone taste without appointing a driver, and I like the small-group format advertised for up to 10 people.

The main drawback is the fixed, alcohol-focused schedule. You need to meet at 1:30pm in Braddon, wear sturdy closed shoes, and accept that the exact order of stops can change. The price is also not trivial at AU$121.93 per person, though tastings, snacks, transport, and guided visits are included.

Key points to know before booking

• Three local drinks in four hours: Beer, wine, and spirits all feature in one afternoon.
• Braddon pickup: Meet outside BentSpoke Brewing Co. on Mort Street at 1:30pm.
• No designated driver needed: Air-conditioned minibus transport runs between the venues.
• Tastings and snacks included: You receive alcoholic drinks, water, and snacks during the tour.
• Small-group feel advertised: The usual tour takes a maximum of 10 people, though the booking information also gives a broader maximum of 100, so larger-group arrangements should be confirmed.
• Bring proper footwear: Closed-toe shoes are required, and the tour includes behind-the-scenes areas.

One afternoon, three Canberra drink traditions

This tour works because it gives you range. Instead of spending four hours at one cellar door or brewery, you move through three types of local production. Beer comes first in the usual plan, followed by wine, then spirits.

That mix suits a group with different tastes. One person can focus on beer, another can compare wines, and someone else can look forward to gin or other spirits. You do not need to be equally interested in all three, but you should enjoy tasting alcoholic drinks because that is the core of the afternoon.

The tour also offers more than a bar crawl. Each stop includes a behind-the-scenes look at production, along with information about local producers and their stories. You get context for what is in the glass, not only a series of samples handed across a counter.

The advertised rating is 4.8 from 17 ratings, with 94 percent recommending the experience. That is a strong signal, though the sample is modest. One especially positive account describes an upgraded full-day outing shared with a friendly group, with praise for the wineries, distillery, cheeses, flavored gins, and chocolates. Your standard booking is listed as approximately four hours, so do not assume the full-day format is included.

Starting at BentSpoke in Braddon

Your afternoon begins at BentSpoke Brewing Co. in Canberra’s Inner North suburb of Braddon. The pickup time is fixed at 1:30pm, and the usual drop-off is around 5:30pm at the same meeting point.

The supplied details give two versions of the street number, 8/38 Mort Street and 48/38 Mort Street. Since both point to BentSpoke Brewing Co. on Mort Street, check the exact address shown on your confirmation before setting out. This is a small detail, but meeting a minibus on time matters more than it does on a self-guided brewery visit.

Starting in Braddon is practical. You are not waiting for a hotel pickup, and the tour ends where it began. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to and from the brewery.

Arrive ready to go rather than planning a late lunch at the meeting point. Snacks are included, but the information does not promise a full meal. A sensible plan is to eat beforehand and treat the food provided as something to keep you comfortable between tastings.

First stop: how local beer is made

The usual itinerary begins with a brewery visit and a look at how beer is produced. At BentSpoke, the tour takes you behind the scenes before moving into tastings of hand-crafted local brews.

This is a good opening because beer gives the afternoon an easy start. You can learn the basic production steps, hear about the local maker, and sample several offerings while your guide explains what you are drinking. The exact beers are not specified, so do not book expecting a particular style or limited release.

I like the production focus here. A tasting alone can feel brief, especially if you already know your favorite beer. Seeing the working side of the venue gives the first stop more purpose. You are not simply drinking in a pub, you are connecting the drink with the place that makes it.

The drawback is that brewery operations can affect the order and pace. The operator notes that the schedule may change slightly because of venue operations. That is normal for working producers, but it means you should not expect every stop to follow the printed sequence minute by minute.

Second stop: Canberra wine and the latest vintage

The middle portion of the afternoon takes you to a local winery. Here you taste the latest vintage and learn about the wine-making process.

The phrase latest vintage matters. Wine changes with the season, so the tasting should reflect what the producer is currently offering rather than a fixed menu that never changes. You may find that one year’s style appeals to you more than another, and the guide can help put those differences into local context.

This stop adds a slower contrast to the brewery. Beer is often discussed through styles and brewing methods, while wine tasting asks you to pay attention to vintage, production, and the character of the drink. You do not need advanced wine knowledge. The value is in having someone explain the process in plain terms while you taste.

A guest who praised a longer version of the tour singled out the wineries and the combination of wine, cheeses, and chocolates. Those food pairings are not clearly promised as part of the standard four-hour itinerary, so treat them as a possible feature rather than a guarantee. The included snacks are confirmed, but the exact snacks are not specified.

Wine fans should note that this is one stop among three. If you want an afternoon devoted only to vineyards and cellar doors, a dedicated wine tour may suit you better. If you like variety, this short winery visit keeps the day moving.

Final stop: spirits and the art of distilling

The final scheduled stop is a local distillery. You learn how spirits are made and taste more local products.

Ending with spirits gives the tour a natural change of pace. You have already sampled beer and wine, and the distillery introduces a different production method and a different way to taste. The available information specifically mentions gins with many flavors in connection with a highly praised longer tour, but the standard afternoon does not promise a particular spirit or gin flight.

This is also the stop where you may want to pace yourself. Three categories of alcohol in four hours can add up, even when each sample is modest. Water is included, and you should use it. Snacks help, but they do not replace a meal.

I like that the distillery visit remains educational rather than being presented only as a final drinking stop. Learning how spirits are made gives you a reason to compare them with the beer and wine from earlier. You can ask your guide about the local producer, the process, and what you are tasting.

Purchases for later are possible at the venues, but take-away drinks are not included in the tour price. If you buy bottles or cans, you will need to carry them with you and follow any venue or transport rules.

What the minibus changes

The included air-conditioned minibus is one of the strongest practical features. Canberra’s producers are spread across different locations, and arranging separate rides would add cost and effort. Here, you can taste without putting one person on driving duty.

The vehicle also keeps the group together. Live commentary is provided onboard, so travel time is part of the guided experience rather than dead time between venues. Your local or professional guide explains the producers and the drinks as you go.

The exact travel time between stops is not provided, and drop-off may shift slightly with traffic. The operator aims to return you close to 5:30pm, but you should avoid booking an important evening appointment immediately afterward. The start time is fixed, while the finishing time has some flexibility.

Air conditioning matters in a vehicle-based afternoon, especially if the weather is warm. Still, you will need to walk through production areas at each venue. Sturdy closed shoes are required, and that rule is practical rather than fussy.

Group size and the social side

The usual format is limited to a maximum of 10 people. That is a useful size for a tasting tour because it gives you a better chance to hear the guide and ask questions. It also makes it easier for the group to move together between the minibus and working venues.

The supplied booking information also gives a maximum of 100 travelers for the activity, which conflicts with the stated 10-person tour limit. If you are booking a private event, a larger group, or a special date, contact Daves Tours to confirm the actual vehicle and group arrangement.

The social side can be part of the fun. The favorable account from Tony describes an upgraded full-day trip shared with a group that got along well. That does not guarantee the same group chemistry on your date, but the small format encourages conversation.

This is not the best choice if you want complete privacy or a self-directed tasting. The guide controls the schedule, and the group moves according to venue operations. For most people, that trade-off is worthwhile because it removes the driving and planning work.

Is AU$121.93 good value?

At AU$121.93 per person, the price is fair if you plan to visit all three types of producer anyway. You are paying for minibus transport, a guide, live commentary, snacks, water, beer tastings, wine tasting, spirits, and behind-the-scenes access.

The value is strongest for visitors without a car or anyone who wants to taste freely. Hiring separate transport for three stops could quickly make the tour price look more reasonable. You also avoid planning a route, judging driving times, and working out how to get back to Braddon.

The value is weaker if you are not interested in one of the three categories. A dedicated brewery, winery, or distillery visit may cost less and give you more time with your preferred drink. You also need to budget for any bottles or other take-away purchases, since those are extra.

Because the tour lasts about four hours, it is a half-day commitment rather than a full food-and-drink itinerary. Snacks are included, but a proper meal is not listed. I would eat before pickup and think of the included food as a useful buffer, not lunch.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it for couples, friends, and small groups who want a relaxed introduction to Canberra’s drinks scene without driving. It is especially useful when people in the same group have different preferences.

It also suits visitors who like meeting local producers and hearing how products are made. The behind-the-scenes element gives the afternoon more substance than simply ordering drinks at three venues.

I would be more cautious about booking it for anyone who does not drink alcohol, anyone seeking a full meal, or anyone who wants a long, unhurried visit at each winery. The itinerary covers a lot in four hours, so each stop is part of a wider sampler rather than a deep visit to one producer.

The 18-and-over rule is firm. Most people can participate, but closed-toe shoes are required. Bring a camera if you want to record the afternoon, and bring enough room in your plans for a slightly flexible return time.

Booking and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided at booking. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason, so check your date, meeting point, and group size carefully before paying.

The tour needs a minimum number of participants. If Daves Tours cancels because that minimum is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund. That protection does not apply to a change of mind or a cancellation from your side.

Should you book the Canberra Brewery Winery and Distillery Tour?

Book it if you want three local tastings, transport, and a guide in one tidy afternoon. The strongest reasons are the no-driving setup, the range of drinks, and the chance to see how beer, wine, and spirits are made.

Skip it if you want a single-category tasting, a full meal, or total control over the schedule. Before booking, confirm the exact Mort Street meeting address, clarify the group size if you are bringing a larger party, and leave your evening open until around 6pm.

For the right group, AU$121.93 buys more than samples. It buys a simple way to compare Canberra producers without turning one person into the driver.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at BentSpoke Brewing Co. in Braddon, Canberra. The supplied address is listed as 48/38 Mort Street, with another reference to 8/38 Mort Street, so check your booking confirmation for the exact meeting details.

What time does the tour start?

Pickup is at 1:30pm. The start time is fixed.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours. Drop-off is expected around 5:30pm, though traffic and venue operations can cause a slight delay.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour finishes back at the BentSpoke Brewery meeting point in Braddon.

What drinks are included?

Beer, wine, and spirits are included through tastings at the brewery, winery, and distillery. Alcoholic beverages and wine tasting are listed as inclusions.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transport between venues is provided in an air-conditioned minibus. Hotel pickup and hotel drop-off are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring sturdy closed-toe shoes and a camera. Snacks and water are provided, and the minimum drinking age is 18.