Canberra Brewery Winery and Distillery Tour

Canberra’s best feature on this afternoon tour is its three-drink format: beer, wine, and spirits all fit into one outing. You start at BentSpoke Brewery in Braddon, then ride by air-conditioned minibus to a winery and a distillery, tasting local products at each stop.

I like the no-driving setup and the small advertised group of up to 10 people. I also like the mix of production visits and tastings, since you are not simply parked at a bar. The main consideration is the fixed, non-refundable booking, so choose your date carefully.

Key points to know before booking

• Three local producers in four hours: Visit a brewery, winery, and distillery in one afternoon.
• BentSpoke is the meeting point: Meet outside BentSpoke Brewery, 8/38 Mort Street, Braddon, at 1:30pm.
• The driver is covered: Air-conditioned minibus transport lets everyone in your group taste without choosing a designated driver.
• Tastings and snacks are included: You receive beer, wine, and spirit samples, plus snacks and water.
• Small-group feel: The tour details state a maximum of 10 people, although the booking information also lists a maximum of 100, so confirm the group size if it matters to you.
• Bring proper shoes: Closed-toe, sturdy footwear is required, and the tour ends back at BentSpoke at about 5:30pm.

Three drinks, one easy Canberra afternoon

This tour makes sense if your group cannot agree on one drink. One person may prefer a pale ale, another a glass of wine, and someone else may want to learn how gin or another spirit is made. Rather than splitting up, you cover all three in one half-day outing.

The price is $121.93 per person, which is not a cheap tasting flight. But it includes transport, tastings, snacks, water, a guide, live commentary, and behind-the-scenes access at three venues. If you were arranging separate visits and paying for rides between them, the package becomes easier to justify.

The tour is built around local producers and their stories. That matters because the appeal is not only the drink in your glass. You get an explanation of how beer, wine, and spirits are produced, with a chance to see the work behind each one.

The usual schedule runs from 1:30pm to about 5:30pm. The order of stops can change to fit venue operations, but the start time is fixed. Your return may shift slightly with traffic, so avoid booking a tight evening commitment immediately afterward.

Meeting at BentSpoke Brewery in Braddon

You begin outside BentSpoke Brewery at 8/38 Mort Street in Braddon. The meeting point is listed elsewhere as 48/38 Mort Street, so check the exact entrance and address shown with your booking before setting off. The important practical detail is that your start and finish are both at BentSpoke.

Braddon is a convenient Inner North starting point, especially if you are already in central Canberra. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the brewery. Plan to arrive early enough to find the meeting point without rushing.

BentSpoke is more than a pickup spot. It is the first stop, where you begin with the brewing process and sample local beer. Starting here gives the afternoon a clear rhythm: beer first, wine next, spirits last.

The tour provides an air-conditioned minibus, which is a real advantage on a tasting day. You can pay attention to the guide, chat with the group, and enjoy the samples without watching the road. Water is included, and snacks help keep the afternoon from becoming a series of drinks on an empty stomach.

First stop: behind the scenes at a Canberra brewery

At the brewery, you learn how beer is made before tasting hand-crafted local brews. The exact beers are not specified, and the selection can change, but the point is to connect the sample with the production process.

I like this opening because beer is an approachable way to start a mixed tasting tour. You can get settled with the group while hearing about local brewing and seeing the first stage of the producer-focused format.

BentSpoke is also a practical place to meet because the tour returns here later. If you want to buy takeaway drinks, remember that those purchases are not included in the tour price. You can taste during the visit, but bottles, cans, or other drinks for later are extra.

The brewery stop may be the most social part of the afternoon. Beer tends to work well for group conversation, and the guide’s commentary gives you something useful to discuss beyond personal taste. Still, anyone who dislikes beer should know that the opening stop is not optional. The tour is designed as a combined beer, wine, and spirits experience, not a choose-one tasting.

Second stop: wine, vintage, and production

From the brewery, the minibus takes you to a local winery. Here you taste the latest vintage and learn about the wine-making process. The tour description does not name the winery or promise a particular grape variety, so you should book for the local producer experience rather than a specific label.

This stop gives the afternoon a change of pace. Wine tasting usually asks you to pay closer attention to differences between samples, and the guide can place those drinks in the wider story of Canberra’s producers.

A useful feature is that the winery visit is not presented as a simple tasting-room stop. You are meant to hear about how the wine is made and the people behind it. That can make the price feel more worthwhile, especially if you have already visited wineries where the experience is little more than a pour and a sales pitch.

Do not expect to take every bottle home as part of the package. Takeaway drinks are specifically excluded. You can purchase more for later, but you will pay separately and should consider how you will carry or transport anything you buy.

One supplied account describes a full-day upgrade that included wines, cheeses, gins, and chocolates. That was not this standard four-hour itinerary, so I would not assume those extras are included. Still, it suggests that the producer visits can involve food pairings or additional purchases on some tour arrangements. Ask ahead if a particular food or upgrade matters to you.

Final stop: spirits and the art of distilling

The last scheduled visit is a local distillery. You taste more local products and learn how spirits are made. The information does not specify the spirit style, so the selection may vary by venue and availability.

Ending at the distillery gives the tour its strongest sense of variety. Beer and wine have already established familiar reference points, while spirits bring a different production method and tasting style. If your group has mixed preferences, this final stop may be the one that keeps everyone interested.

Spirit tastings can also be more intense than beer or wine. Take the included water and snacks seriously, and keep your pace sensible. The minibus removes the driving problem, but it does not remove the need to drink responsibly.

The order of the three venues may change slightly because of operating schedules. You should think of the itinerary as three fixed types of stop rather than a guaranteed sequence. The start is fixed at 1:30pm, while the drop-off time is approximate.

What the guide and group size add

The tour includes a local guide, a professional guide, and live commentary on board. The material also identifies Gregg in the tour response, but it does not clearly confirm that he personally leads every departure. You should expect a guide who explains the producers, manages the transport, and keeps the day moving.

That role matters more than it might seem. Three venues in four hours require someone else to watch the clock, coordinate departures, and handle the route. You get a more relaxed outing because the practical work is taken off your hands.

The stated group limit is 10 people per tour, which is a strong point for anyone who prefers conversation over a crowded coach. Smaller groups also tend to make it easier to ask questions at the venues and chat with the guide.

There is one detail worth checking before you pay. The additional booking information gives a maximum of 100 travelers, while the tour details state a maximum of 10. Those figures do not match. If a small group is central to your decision, contact Daves Tours and confirm the expected number for your date.

Is $121.93 good value?

I would judge the price by what it replaces. You are paying for three producer visits, tastings of beer, wine, and spirits, transport, a guide, snacks, and water. You also avoid the cost and trouble of arranging a safe driver.

For a group already planning to hire transport and visit several venues, the package can be practical value. For someone interested only in drinking wine, a dedicated winery tour might offer a more focused day. Likewise, a serious beer fan may prefer a brewery-only experience with more time spent on brewing.

The tour’s value is its range. You get a broad introduction to Canberra’s drink producers without having to plan the route yourself. That makes it especially useful for a first visit or for a group with different interests.

There are limits. The tour lasts about four hours, so each stop is likely to be an introduction rather than a long, slow visit. The exact drinks and venue order can change, and takeaway purchases cost extra. You are paying for convenience and variety, not an unlimited tasting session.

Practical details that can make the day smoother

Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes. This is a stated requirement, and comfortable footwear is wise for visits that include production areas. Bring a camera if you want to record the venues and bottles you sample.

The minimum drinking age is 18. Confirmation is sent when you book, and most people can participate. The tour does not include hotel pickup, so allow time to reach Braddon independently.

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday departures are available, with other days possible on request. That makes the tour easier to fit around a Canberra weekend, though extra dates are not guaranteed.

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason once booked. If the operator cancels because the minimum number of participants is not reached, you will be offered another date or experience, or receive a full refund. That is different from changing your own plans, so book only when your schedule is firm.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would choose this for a group that wants an easy social afternoon and does not want to organize three separate venues. It suits couples, friends, and visitors who want a quick introduction to Canberra’s local drink scene.

It is also a good fit when tastes differ. The brewery, winery, and distillery format gives each person a chance to find a favorite stop. The included snacks and water make the four-hour schedule more comfortable than a bare tasting crawl.

I would hesitate if you want a deep focus on one drink category. A wine enthusiast looking for vineyard detail may find the brewery and distillery sections distracting. A visitor who does not drink alcohol will have limited reason to book, since the central activity is alcoholic beverage tasting.

The fixed cancellation terms also favor careful planners. Check the date, meeting point, age requirement, and group-size expectations before booking.

Should you book the Canberra Brewery Winery and Distillery Tour?

Book it if you want variety without driving. The three-stop format, local commentary, air-conditioned transport, snacks, and tastings make this a straightforward way to sample Canberra’s beer, wine, and spirits in one afternoon.

Think twice if you want a slow, specialist visit or need flexible cancellation. Before paying, confirm the exact BentSpoke meeting address and ask about the group size because the published limits conflict. For a mixed group with a firm schedule, this is a useful and well-priced introduction to local producers.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts outside BentSpoke Brewery in Braddon, Canberra. The listed meeting address is 8/38 Mort Street, with another booking detail showing 48/38 Mort Street, so check your confirmation for the exact meeting point.

What time does the tour begin?

The fixed start time is 1:30pm.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately four hours and usually returns to BentSpoke at about 5:30pm.

Which venues does the tour visit?

The usual itinerary includes a brewery, a local winery, and a local distillery. The order may change slightly because of venue operations.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transport is provided in an air-conditioned minibus, and the tour ends back at the meeting point.

Are food and drinks included?

Beer, wine, and spirit tastings are included, along with snacks and water. Takeaway drinks are not included.

Can I join if I am under 18?

No. The minimum drinking age is 18.

What should I bring?

Bring sturdy closed-toe shoes and a camera. Closed-toe footwear is required.

Can I cancel or change my booking?

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If the operator cancels because the minimum number is not reached, you can receive a full refund or choose another date or experience.